Diseases of the soul a discourse divine, moral, and physical. By Tho. AdamsDiseases of the soule a discourse diuine, morall, and physicall. By Tho. Adams

Signs and Symptoms.

Signes and Symptomes.

The Signs of the palsy are manifest; of this not very close and reserved. He conceives what is good to be done, but fancies difficulties and dangers, like to knots in a bull-rush, or rubs in a smooth way. He would bowl well at the mark of Integrity, if he durst venture it. He hath no journey to go, but either there are bugs, or he imagines them. Had he a pardon for his brother (being in danger of death) and a Hare should cross him in the way, he would no further, though his brother hanged for it. He owes God some good will, but he dares not show it: when a poor plaintiff calls him for a witness, he dares not reveal the truth, lest he offend the great adversary. He is a new Nicodemus, and would steal to heaven, if no body might see him. He makes a good motion bad by his fearfulness and doubting; and he calls his trembling by the name of conscience. He is like that Collier, that passing through Smithfield, and seeing some on the one side hanging, he demands the cause; answer was made, for denying the Supremacy to King Henry: on the other side some burning, he asks the cause; answered, for denying the real presence in the Sacrament: some, quoth he, hanged for Papistry, and some burned for Protestancie? then hoyte on a Gods name: chill be ne'er nother. His Religion is primarily his Princes, subordinately his Land-lords. Neither deliberates he more to take a new religion, to rise by it; then he fears to keep his old, lest he fall by it. All his care is for a ne noceat. He is a busy inquirer of all Parliament acts, and quakes as they are read, lest he be found guilty. He is sick, and afraid to dye, yet holds the potion in a trembling hand, and quakes to drink his recovery. His thoughts are an ill balance, and will never be equally poised. He is a light vessel, and every great mans puff is ready to overturn him. Whiles CHRIST stands on ⟨p. 37⟩the battlements of heaven, and beckons him thither by his word, his heart answers, I would fain be there, but that some troubles stand in my way. He would ill with Peter walk to him on the pavement of the Sea, or thrust out his hand with Moses, to take up a crawling Serpent, or hazard the loss of himself, to find his Saviour. His mind is ever in suspicion, in suspension, and dares not give a confident determination either way.