A learned treatise of the plague

Finally, They say that as many as fly the Plague, do that which no Christian ever did, when as there is no example thereof in the holy Histories.

I answer, That this is too deceitful an Argument, when as it is apparent that in the holy Scriptures is not set down what every one hath done; and that in many the general Rules of Doctrine, there is sufficient to determine those things whereof we have no Commandment, nor any particular Example; and that it is without doubt that it is not set down how often the People hath been visited with the Plague, neither yet how every man behaved himself in the Plague. But they say they have altogether contrary counsel in the holy Scriptures; for that David doth call us back unto the Tabernacle of the Most Highest, Psal. 91. as though he fled not unto God, which lawfully useth going aside: But yet, say they, David did not fly that very sore Plague whereof mention is made, 2 Sam. 24. neither removed his Household unto any other place. I grant this; but how many peculiar circumstances do forbid us to make of that a general Conclusion? for he himself was the cause of that Plague, and deservedly ⟨image 12⟩so far forth troubled, that he is ready even with his own destruction to redeem the Public calamity; further, when as this Plague continued not above three days at the most, what place was there left him to take advice or to fly unto? whither should he have fled, when the Plague was hot in all his Dominion, and yet is said not at all, or very little, to have touched the Chief City it self? Again, they say Isaiah fled not from Hezekiah being sick of the Plague: As if we held, that the Shepherds with a good Conscience, might willingly, and of their own accord, leave their Sheep; Yea, and what if I should take exception that Isaiah came not to Hezekiah but by the special command of God? for so doth the History bear Record. But, say they, Jeremiah also and Baruch, with other godly men, fled not out of the City being besieged of the Chaldees, though a great part of the People died aswell of the Plague as of Famine; Neither do we say that we may worthily shun the Plague by going aside, if we depart from that which we owe unto God, our Country, and every of our Neighbours: But I cannot but wonder, that those which allege this example of Jeremiah have forgotten that he was taken at the Gate of the City, when he assayed to get out,