Balm from Gilead, Title page – Dedication
BALME FROM GILEAD, To cure all Diseases, especially the Plague.
Foure and twentie Sermons on 2 Chron. 7.13, 14. And two Sermons of Thankesgiuing, for Gods deliuerance of London from the PLAGVE.
Preached anno 1625. in the Church of St. Leonard Eastcheape, by H. R. Master of Arts, Minister of Gods word.
HOS. 6.1.
Come, let vsus returne vntounto the Lord, for hee hath smitten vsus, and hee will heale vsus: hee hath wounded vsus, and he will binde vsus vp.
LONDON, Printed by I. N. and A. M. and are to be sold by William Shefford, in Popeshead Ally. 1626.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE SIR ALLEN COTTON, Lord Maior: the Right Worshipfull the Aldermen and Shriefs, &c. Inhabitants of this famous Cittie of London: Mr. Doct. Westfield, Mr. Thomas Gippes Cloathworker, M. Abraham Colfe, and my good friends, Parishioners of St. Leonard Eastcheape Eternall happinesse.
THE vsuall maner of setting foorth Bookes, is vnderunder the Patronage of some, willing and able to defend the same: I affect not singularity; occasion putting me vponupon the work, I trace the same way. My burthen is Balme from Gilead, Remedies and prescripts for all diseases, especially the Plague: Whither should I goe with it, but vntounto this renowned Cittie? It was composed in this Cittie, and first vented in this Cittie, mine owne habitation and Ministrie is yet bounded by this Cittie: the principall distressed part of this Land was, and is ordinarily (as populous places vse to bee) this Cittie; from hence as the euill was, remedy may be dispatched to other parts (being first here approued.) I am not ignorant, that many in this Cittie and Land, approued Doctors, hauehave in their seuerall stations composed Balmes, and might of the same simples or Text, furnish both this Cittie and Land: and yet am not discouraged. This is what I could in that straight of time, a part of my labours, amidst many publique and priuate distractions, (mine whole Family being smitten, (though not with that hand) this may put vsus in minde of our great trouble; Gods mercifull deliuerance from that trouble, and our proportioned duty vntounto GOD (when as all may bee forgotten) speaking of all, to vsus and our Posterity.
It hath made choyse of your Patronage, Right Honorable, &c. the weale of this Cittie, is (vnderunder his Maiestie) committed vntounto your vigilancie, you hauehave good skill and great experience of that euill, and this remedy: You hauehave had your parts in the one and the other: Gratitude to God (the Gilead of this Balme) requireth Patronage: Prouidence also in regard of future times; What Ioseph did against times of famine, will not be amisse for you to doe in your places, against future times of the plague. Experienced Physitians were now enforced to draw out old experiments. And although these may bee (as the Physitians prescripts were) out of date, when as that euill shall bee ouer; yet it will not be safe in such a time to be wholy to seeke. Besides, who knoweth how soone the same hand may send it againe? And as yet some impressions remaine of it in diuers parts of this Land; on whom GOD looke in merciemercy. Adde yet, this Balme is a Catholicon, a Salue for eueryevery sore; the trembling Ague as well as the destroying Plague, and of daily vse: in these names doth it call vponupon all; especially your Honour, &c. for Patronage.
I cannot but visite and mention you my kinde and Worshipfull friends, in your places, members, and parts of this famous Cittie.
Dr. Westfield and M. Thomas Gippes (as long louing friends, I ioyne you together, that the tye may bee the surer to each other, and my selfe:) Gratitude requireth it.
You, Dr. Westfield; in regard of many kindnesses receiued: by you was the foundation of my small pittance of knowledge in sacred things (vnderunder God) laid; whilst as, an hearer, I sat at your feete: I freely acknowledge your furtherance to, and care of mee in the Vniuersity, direction in studies, cost, encouragements, setting me a worke first, when as I was foreign, in tirocinio; and constant curtesies. If I hauehave failed in composition, you can and will point it mee out: If I hauehave taught the truth, I question not your Patronage: If you owne it, many others will for your sake & name, which is, and O that it may be euer precious.
You, Mr. Thomas Gippes, by whom the Lord, tooke me vp; without your good will, louelove, and leaue, I had not beene an Academick: by it I went vntounto the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, and was maintained almost wholy there: I liued since in your house. In a word, I hauehave and doe still finde you a Father. I cannot but particularly name you. Gratitude bindeth me to much more: I would encourage you and others liuing, by your example to workes of that nature.
And you, Mr Abraham Colfe, the place I fill is yours. It is as mine account; you are my common shelter: Your great louelove vntounto mee, vntounto your Parish; good men and Gods truth, deserueth a mention.
Finally, my Worshipfull and louing Parishioners, you; Though the Doctrine was generall, mine application was vntounto you: Some of you were not present, such as heard may safely reade againe: I spake then, and write now, for your profit.
I hauehave freely reprooued sinne; were they not that cause? Am I not a watchman? could I but see them, and their fruit, the Plague? Was it not in the middest of vsus? How narrowly did we escape? Was it not time to crie? Who thought either day I should speake, or he heare more? It is Gods Ordinance to repentance, and so the saluation of my selfe, and you that heard me also.
Amongst other sinnes, I much smite at the neglect of the Lords day, our Christian Sabbath. My purpose, doctrine, and practise, is not Iewish. I respect & follow the doctrine of our Church, in those contemned (by such as know them not) Homilies: The rule I acknowledge the fourth Commandement, one of the tenne words, Gods immutable and eternall Law, & would vrge nothing but what is answerable.
If you Right Honourable, Right Worshipfull, and my louing friends, in your places, shall approue of this Balme, quatenùs e narthesio sacro (if any question it, trie it, bring it to the Scriptures, the onelyonly Canon and rule; doe but practise it.) I hope it shall doe Gods people much good, It shall bee sauorie to their temporall, and eternall saluation; Our great God shall hauehave his glorie, I mine end. For which, with all other blessings, I shall daily beseech the Lord, and rest
From mine House on new Fishstreet Hill: London May the 10. 1626. Yours in any seruice, worke, or labour of louelove in the Lord. HENRY ROBROVGH.