OF THE PLAGUE.

uncertain, and so hostile to the testimonies of Scripture, nor should the minds of the simple have been entangled in such a harmful error. For they infer: there is contagion, therefore one must retreat. And here is the hinge of their entire discussion; if there were contagion, one should not necessarily retreat, as can be proven by their own words, let alone that they assume there is contagion and that natural causes precede it, which they are so far from being able to prove that they cannot even name for us the causes they wish to be called natural. Where it is understood that not a little rashness lies beneath.

Let them say, if nature provides the cause of the pestilence, let them say, I repeat, significantly and expressly by what name it should be called. That they mutter that the air is that cause, I am not unaware; if, however, they are pressed more closely to yield the name of the natural cause, I do not doubt that they will hesitate. And if they call it the air, they must prove it, or they must be regarded as those who merely repeat their starting point, in which the status of the entire controversy lies. Suppose there is some natural cause; what if God has filled every food and drink, over which He has no weaker power than over the air, with a curse? What if He has staked the very earth we tread upon with hidden stings of death, so that wherever we walk, we are pierced? Or who could bear all the things God could arm for our destruction? Why is the fear of the air alone so great? Shall I say whether they refer all blame to the air? In this they are entirely consumed: that one must flee death, and as it is credible in the opinion of some, by fair means or foul; but how could any flight be defended or even excused before men