of the Plague in f ) y 8tc. 31 be convenient for m£ to declare, that the to &etov of a Peftilence is as much a Part of my Faith, as any others j the facred Pages clearly and demonstratively prove, that the Almighty, by his Authority, and at his Pleafure, may draw the Sword, or fhoot the Arrows of Death ^ and a Retrofpe&ion into Times pari, fhews many convincing Proofs of this terrible Truth } and in this Contagion before us, the Footfteps of an over-ruling Power are very legible, efpecially fb far as concerns his divine Permiflion : But the great God's Purpofes are Secrets too awful for Mortals to pry into, although we know that he punifhes as a Parent, and chides for our Good, which makes it our Duty to kifs the Rod, and fubmit. But enough of this, leafl I mould be thought to invade ano- ther's Province : It is fufficient to the Purpofe of a Phyikian, to affign natural and obvious Cauies ^ and where fuch are difcoverable, it is unworthy of him and the divine Art he profeiTes, as well as an Affront to good Senfe, to have Recourfe to any other. BUT this being premifed only to pre- vent Cenfure, our Way now lies open to
