For I deny, although it be agreed upon, that the Plague, of all other diseases, is most infectious; yea, and that unavoidable death for the most part doth presently follow: that therefore the Standing, in which God hath placed every man, is to be forsaken. I deny, I say, that therefore that thing is not to be preferred before Life it self, which we owe unto God, to our Country, and which we owe unto men, either for some public or private respect. And I had much more rather they would bestow their endeavours in persuasive disputes, to restrain mens flying away for fear of the Plague, than that they should labour to prove their strange opinion of the Plague not to be contagious. Indeed, I had rather have the Consequent (according to the School-phrase) in that same Enthymeme to be denied, than the Antecedent; for by that means something might be brought to pass, not only by probable, but also by necessary Arguments, according to their own desire, namely, That those do very greatly offend, who, for fear of any peril do offend against God, or against their Neighbour. For what Christian man dareth to call these things into controversy? or if he dare do it, shall not be reproved by the restimony of his own Conscience, though all the world should be silent? For I do not think that there are ⟨p. 3⟩any, which do hold, that with a good conscience, the Plague by all means without exception is to be fled from; which notwithstanding, I see by some in such sort disputed against, as if it were by others maintained. Yet, if there be any of that mind, I do no more favour their error, than I allow of those men, which of a clean contrary opinion do think, that the Plague is not to be fled from. But surely it is the part of a wise man to follow the Golden mean, so that he fly not when he should tarry, neither when he should go aside (for the term of flying away in this Argument seemeth to me to be very improper) by his rash tarrying, offend against the self-same Charity, which seemed to counsel him to stay. These things I thought good in manner of a Preface to set down, before I come to the handling of the matter: To the end, that all men at the first entrance may perceive, what I have undertaken to defend, and what to disprove.
For I deny, although it be agreed upon, that the Plague, of all other diseases, is most infectious; yea, and that unavoidable death for the most part doth presently follow: that therefore the Standing, in which God hath placed every man, is to be forsaken. I deny, I say, that therefore that thing is not to be preferred before Life it self, which we owe unto God, to our Country, and which we owe unto men, either for some publick or private respect. And I had much more rather they would bestow their endeavours in perswasive disputes, to restrain mens flying away for fear of the Plague, than that they should labor to prove their strange opinion of the Plague not to be contagious. Indeed, I had rather have the Consequent (according to the School-phrase) in that same Enthymeme to be denied, than the Antecedent; for by that means something might be brought to pass, not only by probable, but also by necessary Arguments, according to their own desire, namely, That those do very greatly offend, who, for fear of any peril do offend against God, or against their Neighbour. For what Christian man dareth to call these things into controveisie? or if he dare do it, shall not be reproved by the restimony of his own Conscience, though all the world should be silent? For I do not think that there are ⟨p. 3⟩any, which do hold, that with a good conscience, the Plague by all means without exception is to be fled from; which notwithstanding, I see by some in such sort disputed against, as if it were by others maintained. Yet, if there be any of that minde, I do no more favour their errour, than I allow of those men, which of a clean contrary opinion do think, that the Plague is not to be fled from. But surely it is the part of a wise man to follow the Golden mean, so that he fly not when he should tarry, neither when he should go aside (for the term of flying away in this Argument seemeth to me to be very improper) by his rash tarrying, offend against the self-same Charity, which seemed to counsel him to stay. These things I thought good in manner of a Preface to set down, before I come to the handling of the matter: To the end, that all men at the first entrance may perceive, what I have undertaken to defend, and what to disprove.
