In Homely to be read in the time of pestilence, and a most present remedy for the same.  
〈◊〉 God. Honour the King, 1. Pet. 2.   

To all pastors and Curates Within the kings majesties Diocese of Worcester and Gloucester.  
EAuyn as we be blind and unthankeful for gods favourable mercies, where with all he followeth us in health, wealth and prosperity: So be we blind, & unsensible for his most just plagues, where with all he persecuteth and punisheth us in sickness, scarcity & troubles. And now amongst other tokens of his displeasure and wrath, 
Ezechi. 14.  hath sent us in diverse places one of the extremest plagues (that ever he devised to punish man withal in this life) the plague of pestilence. For as mouche as he meaneth thereby not only to kill and destroy the bodies of such, as by this plague he pourposeth to take out of this mortal lief: But also, without repentance and turning to his mercy in Christ before death, the soul of such as depart from hence, must needs perish by gods just judgement: And not only this to be theande of such as it pleaseth god to strike to death, by this his servant and messenger the plague of pestilence. But also the like danger of his displeasure remaineth to me, and to all other that have the cure, & charge of the people's souls in this the kings majesties host noble Realm: Over whom god and he hath made us watch men and overseers, 
Ezechi. 18.  too admonish and warn the people of all dangers, & plagues that god shall send for their punishment: Incase we admonish not in time, the people committed unto our charge of such plagues as for sin he pourposeth too punish us withal, their loss and damnation shallbe required at our hands. For the discharge of myself, and also for the better instruction of such as have cures within this Diocese of Worcester and Gloucester (and yet not best able too dystharge them), and futhermore for the profit and salvation of the people, amongs whom it may please God too send his fearful plague of pestilence: I have thought it niy boundon duty (seeing at all times I can not comfort the sick myself) too collect or gather into some short sermon or homely a medicine and most present help for all men against the plague of pestilence: And in the same also too provide some present remedy for such as shallbe infected with that disease. And for the better understanding of the medicine, I will use this order, that all physicians learned do use in their practise of physic. first, I will show the cheafeste cause of the pestilence: And than what remedy is best too be used against it, and to heal it when it hath infected any man. And although I will speak herein some what as other physicians have done: yet because they have spoken already more than I can in the matter, though it be a great deal less than the matter of the disease requireth, (for none of them have showed any ascertained remedy, be their reason never so good) I will breafelye as by the way somewhat speak of this disease, as they do: But as a preacher of God's word, and as a physician for the soul, rather than for the body, entreat of the sickness and the remedy thereof, aftherthe advise and counsel of god's word. Who supplieth all things omitted and not spoken of, concerning this most dangerous plagues by such as have wroten, besides the scripture of God, their mind touching the same. For in deed the chiefest causes of all plagues and sickness, is sin: which remaining within all men, worketh destruction, not only of the body, but also of the soul, if remedy be not found. 
Li i de disse. feb. cap. 5.  And where as Galen sayeth that Omnis pestilentia fit a putredme aeris: that is too say, all pestilence cometh by the corruption of the air, that both beast and man drawing their breaths in the air corrupt, draweth the corruption thereof into themselves, he sayeth well: yet not enough. He sayeth also very naturally, 
Li i de tempe, cap. 4.  that when the air is altered from his natural eaqualitye and temperature to to mouche and intemperate heat and moisture, pestilence is like then too reign. For as he sayeth in the same place, that heat and moisture dystemperated be most dangerous for the creatures of the world, yet that is not enough. As Ezechiel sayeth, 
cap. 14,  where as God sendeth all these dystemperaunces, and yet if Noah, Daniel and job were in the midst of them, they shall be safe. Eavyn so sayeth David also Though they die at the right hand ten thousand fold, 
Psalm.  and die at the left a thousand fold, the plague shall not touch him that sitteth under the protection of the highest. And where as reason hath many good and probable arguments in this matter touching the cause of pestilence that it should come some time by reason of such humours as be in the body disposed and apt to corrupt, then is the man quickly (by drawing and breathing as well the corruption of himself, as the infection of the air) infected. And that such humours as be gross and inclined to corruption, riseth of evil and immoderate diet, and the infection taketh his original and beginning from such beasts, carinnes, and other loathsome bodies that rot upon the face of the earth not buried: or else from moorish standing, and dampyshe waters, sinks or other such unwholesome moistures, so that towards the fall of the leaf, both the air that man liveth in, as also man's body itself be more apt and disposed to putrefaction more in the time then in any other time for diverse natural causes. These causes are to be considered as natural and consonant to reason: yet there be reasons and causes of pestilence of more weight, and more worthy of deep and advised considerations and advertisements than these be. And the more, because they lie within man (& be marked but of very few) and hide themselves secretly till they have poisoned the whole man both body and soul. For in deed physicians that writ, meddle with no causes that hurt man, but such as come into man from with out, as the humours (they say) take their infection from unwholesome meat and evil diet, or else from the corruption of the air with such like. 
Math. 15.  But our saviour Christ showeth that our corruption and sickness riseth from within us, as I will declare hereafter in the causes that the scripture teacheth of pestilence and all other diseases. requiring you diligently to look upon the same, and to read it in your churches: that the people may understand both the cause of this god's plague of pestilence, and how too use themselves in the time of this sickness or any other that shall happen unto them by god's appointment. As god may be glorified in them, and you and I discharged of our bounden duties: And they them selves that shall happen to be infected with the plague of pestilence, and by the same be brought to death may be assured through true and godly doctrine to die in the Lord, and so be eternally blessed straight way after their death, as Saint John sayeth. 
Apoca. 14. Rom. 14.  And in case god reserve them to longer lief, they may live in truth and vearitie unto him, with detestation and hatred of sin, the original cause of man's misery and wretchedness: and with the love of mercy and grace the original and only workers of man's quietness and everlasting salvation given unto us from god the father almighty, through Jesus Christ his only son our Lord. To whom with the holy ghost be all honour and praise, world without eande. So be it.   

¶ An homolie to be read in the time of pestilence, containing the true causes of the same: And likewise a most present remedy for as many as be already, or hereafter shallbe infected with that disease: Gathered out of the holy scripture, by John Hoper bishop of Worcester and Gloucester. ANNO DOMINI. 1553.  Marci. i. Repent and believe the gospel. 
IT is the desire of all sick men to know what medicine and remedy hath been known moste to prevail, best too remove, and soon to cure & make whole the person diseased. And the greater and more dangerous the sickness is, the more circumspect and wise the sick man must be in knowledge and choice of the medicine: Lest happily he seek a remedy inferior and to weak, for the greatness & strength of his disease. The nature & condition therefore of pestilence being so dangerous (as it is in deed) that who so ever be infected or attempted therewithal, hath need to be well instructed, and thorughly persuaded of a sufficient remedy, stronger than the sickness itself. Or else the disease shall more hurt the sick patient, than the medicine can do him good: Then must needs follow the death, and the destruction of the diseased person. It behoveth therefore all men that be mortal, to know the most general, and most dangerous diseases that mortality shallbe troubled withal: And then, as he seeth his great and necessary adversaries and sickness, to know also the greatest and most necessary remedy and help against his diseases. And because sin hath so prevailed in us, that truth persuaded unto us by th'examples of others, sooner instructeth, and longer tarrieth then any thing taught us by doctrine or testimony: I shall (before I enter into the causes of the pestilence) show the strength, and nature of sickness from th'examples of such godly persons, as in the word of god are mentioned of, 
Psal. 6.42.  for our instruction. King David (amongs other diseases) fell into the pestilence: The greatness and danger whereof passed all human & worldly helps, as it appeareth by his lamentable cry and complaint unto the Lord. My soul (saith he) is sore troubled: But how long Lord wilt thou differre thy help: And the same cry and complaint he made unto the Lord when the plague of pestilence had infected his whole Realm, 
Sam. 24  from Dan too Berzabe: And saw the remedy thereof to be only in god. Praying him to command his Aingel to strike the people no more. 
Esay. 37.38  Ezechias the king saw, that besides god all meatsonnes and remedies were to weak, and inferior for the strength and power of the pestilence & sickness▪ wherefore he turned himself to the wall, and prayed god to do that for him that no physic nor medicine washable to do. 
2. Corin. 15  And saint Paul in his wonderful oration that he maketh concerning the resurrection of the dead, weigheth most deeply the nature & condition of man's miserable estate in this lief: Bourdeinning him with such strong adversaries, sickness and diseases both of body and soul, that every man may see, how impossible it is for man to find deliverance from the tyranny, and strength of sickness, except only the mercy of god in Christ Jesus. Nombering there, six and adversaries so strong, as the least of them (except Christ help) is able to destroy both body and soul. The first, is corruption. The second, mortality. The third, sin. The fourth, the law: condemning sin. The fifth, death The sixth, hell: necessary and indivisible plagues and sickness of man in this lief. Against the which he findeth no remedy neither by Galen, nor Hipocrates, neither yet by th'earth of para. 
Plin. lib 2▪ cap. 96.  that men say cureth all wounds: But with great faith & confidence marketh and weigheth the strength of diseases (though they be never so strong) too be yet inferior too the medsone and remedy, that god hath provided for us only in Christ. Therefore compareth the inferior strength of althose sickness, unto the sufficient remedy of god, through Christ: saying after this manner Thanks be unto god which hath given us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Whereby it is evident and plain, that god is th'only remedy for all plagues & diseases. How be it, now I shall more specially open the causes of the plague, and the nature of the same: that our sickness & the causes thereof may be more known, and the better avoided.  

Rom. 5.  The principal cause of pestilence is opened by S. Paul by these words. By sin (saith he) came death into the world: and for the cause of sin, god sendeth the plague of pestilence and all other diseases that punisheth towards death. 
Psalms, 42.  Ask David saith, Thou dost punish the childerin of men for sin. Moses also plainly showeth, that the principal and chief cause of pestilence is not in the corruption of the air, nor in the superfluous humours within man: 
Deut. 23.  But that sin and the transgression of goods law is the very cause and chief occasion of pestilence & of all other diseases. And the experience thereof was tried in the pestilence that reigned in king n1g-nn's time for his sins, and the sins of the people. 
2. Sam, 24  So that all the scripture of god manifestly declareth that the contempt and breach of god's laws, is the chief and principal cause of pestilence, and of all other plagues that he sendeth for our punishment. And from this cause proceedeth those causes (that physicians speak of) the corruption of the air, which is never corrupted nor can corrupt man or beast, except man (for whose sake and comfort both air and all other beasts were made) be first corrupted by sin and transgression of god's laws. Neither could man take any surfeit by meats, nor any evil humours could be engendered of any meats, were not the man that useth them corrupt & first infected with sin. But when the Lord doth see that the people forgeate or contemn his blessed commandments, and that such as be appointed to rebuke and punish such transgressors of god's laws, suffer without punishment, the glory of god, and his holy commandments to be oppressed, and set at nought, as we see daily they be in deed: From these causes our sin and abomination the Lord taketh occasion to turn his good creatures made for our lief, to be a means of our death: which never would be, were not our heinous dishonouring and contempt of God. For the lords creatures be perfectly good, 
Gene. 1.  and made all to comfort and rejoice, wholesome, clean and pure without all infection. But seeing that the contempt of god, and the filthiness of sin, is neither by the Clergy opened, declared, ne detected, neither by the heads of the country, and officers appointed under god and the king, punished. Except therefore there should nothing else live in this world than sin abomination and contempt of god: god is forced, for the taking away & destruction of filthy lief, and filthy livers, to appoint an extra ordinary magistrate to reform and punish the mother of all mischief, sin, and contempt of goods holy word. And so altereth, not by chance, nor by the influence of stars, the wholesomeness of the air into pestilent and contagyouse infection: And the meat and drink with their nutriment and foade into poison and venom, that by their mean, sin and sinners might be slain and taken out of this world, and no longer too blaspheme God. Thus doth the word of god declare theffectuous and pryncypal cause of pestilence too be the contempt of God's word, that should keep men in order both too God and man. The breaking whereof hath always brought these plagues into Realms, 
Li. 7. cap. 1.  as profane writers also manifestly declare Orosius sayeth, that the great dearth and famine that came amongs the Romans, in the tune of Caesar Augustus, was because Caius his nephew contemned to honour the living god, as he was taught at Jerusalem, when he passed into Syria. Wherefore it is expedient, and before all things necessary (for as month as the plague is come into sundry places about us) for every one to try himself, what just causes of this pestilence each man hath within himself. Every Christian man and woman must search whether their religion and christianity be such, as god by his word doth maintain to be good: for there is no greater occasion of pestilence, than superstition and false religion. The bishop, Person, Uycare and Curate, must examine them selves, what knowledge of god's word is in them, and what diligence they have taken too bring the people to a right knowledge, and perfect honour of God: for there is no greater daungere of pestilence, then where as the Clergy is either ignorant of god's word, or negligent in teaching thereof. The Justices & gentlemen must look how they keep themselves and the kings majesties people in the true knowledge and obedience of god's laws and the Kings: for nothing provoketh the pestilence more dangerously, then where as such as sit and be appointed to do justice, do their own affections with contempt & injuries both to god and man, and the plague of god will revenge it. All we therefore that be subjects and live under one god and one king, must (now that god hath sent us this pestilence) see that we have true, loving, faithful, trusty and obedient hearts with one hole mind altogether to obey, reverence, love, help, succour, defend and uphold with all our wits, goods, riches and strength this our only King, the Magistrates and councillors that be appointed under his highness. 
Rom. 13.  For as Saint Paul saith, he that disobeyeth and resisteth the higher powers appointed by god, resist god, provoke the pestilence and vengeance of god against us. 
1. Io. 3.  And we must take heed also that we hate not one another: if we do, the plague will not cease, and the places that yet be not infected, god shall infect, what so ever defence man maketh against it. And although Galen of all remedies saith, to fly the air that is infected, is best: Yet I know that Moses by the word of god, sayeth. Flee whether thou wilt, in case thou take with thee, the contempt of god, & breach of his commandment, god shall find the out. Yea, and although many medicines be devised, and assureth the infected to be made whole: yet not withstanding, 
Deut. 28.  I know god's word sayeth the contrary, that he will send unto unsensible, careless, and wilful sinners, such a plague and incurable a pestilence, that he shall not be delivered, but die and perish by it. Therefore, forasmouche as sin is thoccasion chief of pestilence, let every man eschew and avoid it both speedily and penitently, and then shall ye be preserved from the plague sufficiently, as ye shall perceive in the remedy of this dangerous plague, that beginneth to reign amongs us. 
Lib. 1. cap. 96.  For doubtless, although we could fly to Locris or Crotone where as Pliny sayeth, the pestilence was never, 
Deut. 28.  yet god saith in case we fear not him we shall surely be infected.  

The remedy against the pestilence.  
Look as the scripture of god only showeth the very cause of pestilence: so doth it the very true and only remedy against it. I do not dislike the remedies that natural physic hath prescribed: yet I do not able them as sufficient remedies, for their imperfection sake. I would also they were used, and the remedies prescribed in god's book not omitted. For I see all the remedies that ever was devised by man, is not able to remove assuredly the pestilence from him that is infected there withal, although they be never so excellent and good. And I find the same concerning the preservation from the pestilence devised by man, also insufficyente for man's preservation, yet not to be contemned: for the reason of their chiefest preservation is very good and allowable, and yet not sufficient: Which is, of all things chief to be used against the pestilence, fleeing and departure from the place where as the air is corrupt. Wherefore for such as may, nothing is better than too flee, and except he do, he offereth himself too a present danger of death: But yet the word of God sayeth plainly, that flee whether we will, if we forsake not sin, and serve the living god, the plague shall overtake us. And this can not be a sufficient remedy, for there be certain persons that can not flee although they would: As the poorer sort of people that have no friends nor place too flee unto, more than the poor house they dwell in. Like wise there be souche offices of trust, as men for no cause may flee from it: As the bishop, Person, Vicar and Curate, who hath the charge of those that god pleaseth too infect with the pestilence, 
Io. 10.  and if they forsake their people in this plague time, they be hirelings & no pastors, and they flee from god's people into gods high indignation. Such also as have places and offices of trust for the common wealth, as the Captains of soldiers in the time of war, Judges and Justices in the time of peace: Incase they should flee their countries or leave their wars for the plague of pestilence, they shall never be good soldiers, nor good Justices for the common wealth. And they shallbe accompatable to almighty god for all the hurt and detriment, that hath happened unto the people in their absence. Wherefore, seeing there is no certain remedy devised by man, neither for such as can not flee, nor for them that may flee, we must seek another medicine and help at god's hand: who can and will preserve those that be whole, and make them whole that be sick, if it be expedient for man, and most for his own honour. The best preservative therefore too keep men from the pestilence, 
Enod. 5.  is this that Moses speaketh of: Let us do sacrifice unto the Lord, 
Numer. 14  lest we be stricken with pestilence or sword. And Josua and Caleb told the people that a faithful trust in the Lord was the best remedy for them: which if they contemned, they should find, that God there threatened speaking too Moses: How long will this people be unfaithful: I will strike them with pestilence, and consume them. Also David knew that th'only remedy to keep Jerusalem from the plague, was, 
1. Sam. ult.  that god should turn his wrath from the City, for his sins, and the sins of the people.  
But now to bring the remedy the better to the understanding of the people, I will show it by this place of Saint Mark. Repent ye and believe the gospel: 
Cap. 1.  In the which words is contained thonly medicine against the pestilence, and also all other diseases, if the text be well and advisedly considered, wherein Christ useth a very natural order to heal all diseases. For as the remedy naturally of all diseases is taken from contrary conditions and qualities that worketh and maintaineth the sickness: So doth Christ in these words declare that the preservation and help of sin and wickedness (the cause of pestilence) proceedeth from virtues and conditions contrary to the qualities and nature of such things as preserve and keep this wicked sin & sickness in man. As when a man is fallen into sickness by reason of to mouche could and moisture: the remedy must be gathered naturally from the contrary, heat and drought. For this is a common and true principle contraries be helped by their contraries: If nature wax too could, it must be helped with heat. 
Galiende sempera.  If it be to hot it must be cooled. If it be to moist, it must be dried. If it be to dry, it must be moisted. If it be to could and moist, it must be heat and dried. If it be could and dry, it must be heat and moisted. If it be to hot and moist, it must be cooled and dried. If it be hot and dry, it must be cooled and moisted: These be very natural remedies if they be well used with true proportion and convenient use after physic. And as these be good and natural for the body wherein the pestilence dwelleth: Even so is Christ's medicine in the first of Saint Mark a more present and certain remedy for the soul that keepeth the body in lief, to remove or to remedy the sin of man, which is the cause of all plagues and pestilence. Incase (too remove sin the cause of sickness) this medicine of Christ be used, as tother is used too remove theffect of sin which is sickness. As the body that is fallen into sickness by to much cold or moisture, either by nature that orygynallye was corrupted by Adam, either by our own accustomed and doing of sin, it must be made whole by the heat of repentance and true faith in the merits of Christ Jesus, who died for the sins of the world. For this is a true and most certain principle of all religion, one contrary must remedy tother, seeing Adam by his fault began our death by sin: it must be cured by Christ that is without sin. And where as our own works be sin and filthiness, where with all god is disposed: we must desire the works of Christ to work the good will and favour of our heavenvly father again. And where as by our own wits, wisdom's, religion and learning we have committed idolatry & superstition: we must now by god's wisdom, god's word & his most true religion, amend our faults, and turn to true and godly honouring of him. Farther, where as our own inventions hath brought us from the knowledge of god: the remedy is the gods word must bring us to him again. 
Psal. 19.118 2. Timoth. 3.  For against all untruths brought in by man: the word of god is thonly remedy. The experience thereof we may have plainly in the scripture, where as for the salvation of the world, god appointed Christ his only son to be borne, 
Math. 1.2. Luc. 2. jon. 1.  and also to be opened unto the world, that by him it might be healed of all sickness and sin, as it appeareth by S. Matthew and other of the Evangelists. Yet was the world so blind, and so corrupted with sin, that Christ was borne and opened unto them, and they of the world nothing the better, 
Cap. 3.  as it appeareth in S. Matthew: Where as S. Jhon the Baptist in few words (which be these: Repent ye, for the kingdom of god is at hand) showeth the remedy of all sins and sickness, and the means how to receive and take the same remedy. The remedy was only Christ, 
joan. 1.3.  as he sayeth in S. John, and also in S. matthew: 
Math. 3.  And the means to come by the remedy was to repent, as ye shall know farther hereafter when ye know what repentance is. 
Cap. 4.  The same may you also see in S. John in the Dialogue between Christ and Nicodemus: A man after the judgement of the world that knew lief & death, sickness & health, the cause of th'one, and also of tother, as well as any learned man amongs all the congregation and church of the Jews: yet in deed as ignorant of his own sickness, and also so far from the true knowledge how to come to health as an ignorant man might be. And the cause was that he understood not the nature of sin, as it is esteemed by the word of god, neither the remedy thereof that god hath prescribed and appointed. Wherefore Christ told him by plain words, except he were helped and cured of his disease and sickness by contrary remedies, he could never understand nor come by his health, and no marvel: for he knew the sickness of sin no otherwise then his forefathers and the worldly men knew sin. That is too say, knew such sins as were known to reason, and done by the body and outward action of men: And the same knowledge had he, and no more of the remedy against the sickness of sin. And as his fathers and the world thought (so did he) that the merits of their sacrifices and the well doing of themselves, was a sufficient remedy to heal them both in body & in soul. Where upon Christ most mercifully pitieth the poor man, & with contrary knowledge both of sickness, and the remedy thereof, showeth that the disease man is infected with, goeth farther than reason and the utter action of the body, and occupieth the soul of man with concupiscence, rebellion, frowardness & contumacy against god: Wherefore he calleth all the man hath of himself but flesh. 
joan. 3  And showeth that the remedy against this sickness cometh not of the worthiness of any sacrifice or merits of his, or any sinful man's works: But that the remedy thereof dependeth only upon the merits of his blood and passion, and showeth the same by the comparison of the Brazen Serpent appointed by Moses. And argueth this way, as the people that were strong with the Serpents in the wilderness were not made whole by their own works, or for the dignity or service of any sacrifice that they offered, but by the sight of the Serpent that represented Christ too come: Even so Nicodemus nor any other that is stung with the Serpents of sin, be made whole by their own works or any sacrifice they can offer, but only by the merits of Christ. And even as the people could not come too the knowledge of this remedy by the serpent, through their fathers, or their own wisdom: no more can Nicodemus or any man living come too the knowledge of the remedy, for sickness and sin, in our saviour Christ, 
joan. 3.  except he learn it by the word of God thorough the instruction of the hoyle ghost. 
Marci. 1.  The same remedy also useth Christ in his words before rehearsed, repent ye and believe the gospel: In the which words our saviour Christ showeth all things to be considered in sin & in the remedy thereof. For in the first part of his words he declareth how that men should know the causes of sickness, and in the second part the remedy & help for the same. The cause of sickness (as it appeareth by this word repent) is that men have by their own folly turned themselves from the truth of God, to the error and fond opinion of man: from true faith too uncertain fables: from virtuous & godly works, to uncleanlynes and corruption of life. Christ therefore seeing the world how it is in danger by reason it hath forsaken the wisdom & rule of goods word, calleth it home again too a better way, bidding it repent: As though he had said, turn too a better mind, and leave the ways accustomed, and learn to be wise, and walk in the ways and wisdom appointed by God. Here appeareth also, that the causes of all the dangers that Christ willed his audience too repent for, was their sin and iniquity. The cause of sin, was infydelytye and accustomed doing of evil: The cause of infidelity and accustomed doing of evil, was ignorauncie or misunderstanding of goods word. The cause of ignorance or mysunderstandinge of god's word was Satan gods and man's enemy, and man's willing consent to the devilish sophistry and false construinge of god's word. And from these causes springeth all diseases and sickness, 
joan. 3.  death and everlasting damnation: from the which Christ was sent (of gods inestimable love towards us) to redeem & save us. Notwithstanding these effects of pestilence, sickness, death and everlasting damnation can not be removed, except first the causes of them be eschewed, wherefore learn ye and teach other to know the causes above mentioned, and also how they may be removed: For as long as they work their proper nature in man, so long will they bring forth their natural effects, sickness troubles, death and damnation. The original cause of all evil was Satan, 
Gen. 3.  and the ungodly consent of our forefather Adam in Paradise, in crediting more the devils sophistry and gloze, than the plain and manifest word of god. And the remedy of this cause is god, that of love against Satan's hatred promised in the seed of a woman, help again for man: 
joan. 1.3.5.  And that every man the believeth the devil in evil, must repent and believe god & his word in good.  

joan. 1.3.  Ignorancie and mistaking of god's word, is the second cause of evil: The remedy whereof is knowledge and right understanding of god's word.  

joan. 16.  Infidelity & accustomed doing of evil, be the third cause of evil: True faith and accustomed doing of good, remedyeth them.  
Sin and iniquity be the causes of sickness, death and damnation: virtue & godliness healeth & removeth, that they shall not bring man to everlasting death, although sin and sickness be not clean taken from man, yet doth god in Christ take away the damnation of sin, & suffereth death to destroy by sickness none other thing then the body of the sinner, so that he use this remedy (repent and believe the gospel) and shall at length call the body dead by death, out of th'earth: And place it alive with the soul in heaven.  
But now to use this help and remedy against the pestilence: which Christ calleth, repent and believe the gospel.  
The sick man must remember what the first word repent meaneth, and how he may come by it. Repentance that God requireth, is the return of the sinner from sin, into a new life in Christ. Which return is an innovacyon and renovacyon of the mind of man by God's spirit in Christ, with denial of the former life, too begin a new and better life. And this repentance springeth from the knowledge of sin by the law of God. From the knowledge of sin, cometh the hatred of sin: from the hatred of sin, proceedeth the leaving and departure from sin. From the departure from sin, cometh by faith through Christ's blood, remission of sin. From remission of sin, cometh our acceptatyon into god's favour: from our acceptatyon into God's favour, cometh the gifts of the holy ghost to do, and work by virtuous life, the will of God. From the doing in Christ the will of god, cometh god's defence and favour that taketh from us all plagues and pestilence. From the deliverance of plagues and pestilence cometh everlasting lief, 
joan. 3.3.6.  as Christ sayeth: And as this medicine called, repent ye, and believe the gospel, declareth. There be also many that be sick and in great danger and peril by reason of sin, and yet feel not the sore and grief thereof. Therefore they pass not whether they seek for any remedy or not: And for lack of taking heed they fall daily to more wickedness than other. Wherefore it is every ministers office of the church diligently (and especially in the time of pestilence and plagues) to call upon the people for amendment of life. And too show them truly, diligently and plainly this medicine of repentance. Which consisteth of these parts. First, in knowledge of sin, then in hatred of sin. Thirdly, in forsaking of sin. Fourthly, in believing the forgiveness of sins for Christ's sake: And fifthly to live in virtuous and godly lief, to honour god, and to show his obedience to god's law, that by sin is transgressed. And these parts of penance (which be the very true and only medicines against sickness and sin) be known only by god's laws. For by the law of god, sin is known, detested and forsaken, if it be heard or readen by men that pray unto god, they may understand it. faith also that believeth, remission of sin is showed, opened and offered by the gospel: wherein be contained gods merciful promises towards sinners. And those promises sinners receive by faith, that believeth what so ever god hath promised in Christ, he will perform it. Faith doth credit and receive forgiveness of sins by the operation of gods holy spirit in the poor sinner. The sinner studieth and liveth a virtuous life, being led by the holy ghost, and worketh to serve god with such works, as gods holy commandment commandeth every true christian man too work and do. And for the better assurance and farther stablishing of repentance and acceptation into the favour of god by believing the gospel, the poor sinner useth and receiveth the holy sacrament of Christ's precious body & blood, in remembrance that Christ died to be his medicine against sin, and theffect thereof. Wherefore, now that it pleaseth god for our offences to show by plagues and sickness how he is offended: Let us all that be ministers of the church, and the watch men of the people, call upon them diligently to repent and believe the gospel, and to live a godly and virtuous life that for Christ's sake he will turn mercifully his plagues from us: and give us his most gracious favour to preserve his universal church, our most godly Sovereign Lord and King, King Edward the sixth, his majesties most honourable Council, and the whole Realm. So be it.  
18. May▪ 1553.  
Imprinted at Worceter by John Oswen, printer appointed by the kings Majesty for the principality of Wales and Marches of the same.  
Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.