Medical References in Sermons 17

Volume 8, Sermon 6 on Galatians 6:2

Bodily infirmities and diseases are in themselves a burden, however providence may intend them for our good, and finally overrule them for our spiritual advantage. Health is a great mercy, without which many of the enjoyments of life would lose much of their sweetness; and sickness cannot but be considered in itself as a great affliction. Music cannot delight the ear, the most pleasing objects the eye, nor the richest viands the taste of a sick man. He finds but little pleasure in the company of his dearest friends; and while he is shut out from public ordinances, he is often unfitted for the devotions of the closet, how much soever he delighted in them before. Job complained that wearisome nights were appointed to him; and the apostle Paul^ wishes for his beloved Gaius, that he might prosper and be in health, even as his soul prospered. It is the lot however of some pious people to endure heavy loads of sickness and distress, and some here are who scarcely know what it is to enjoy a singl day of health. They have been afflicted from their youth up, and are laid on beds of languishing, until the graves are ready for them.

*This should be John

Medical References in Sermons 16

In a sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Despise not prophesyings he says

It becomes us to guard against a sickly stomach which rejects the most wholesome food and is like the full soul which loatheth the honey comb.

Medical References in Sermons 15

In a sermon on Isaiah 65:20 The aged sinner he says

Many plunge themselves into the pleasures and pursuits of life so as not seriously to think of death or what is needful in order to it but they must die, whether they expect it or not and whether they be prepared for it or not. We may recover from many diseases and escape from many dangers but death is inevitable: the sentence is passed and life whether it be short or long is only a reprieve. Let then the worldling increase his wealth, the voluptuous his pleasures and the ambitious rise to honour and preferment, yet death will soon reduce them to a level with the common herd of mankind.

Medical References in Sermons 14

In a sermon on Psalm 81:10 Motives to enlarged prayer he says

This is strongly and beautifully expressed in Psalm cxix 131 I opened my mouth and panted for I longed for thy commandments This may allude to children when hungry, to persons in a burning fever or to dry and parched land in hot and sultry weather and expresses vehement and passionate desires, vigorous and forcible motions of the soul after God, as if it were so stretched out that it was ready to break; so indeed it is expressed in another part of this psalm My soul breaketh for the longing it hath to thy judgments at all times Of all desires those after spiritual blessings should be the strongest as being the most satisfying and lasting.

and

The groanings of a sick man are often the presages of death but those of the Christian are a sign that he is alive and shall live for ever The Spirit of God not only excites praying graces but also furnishes with praying expressions, not only inclines to prayer but gives liberty in prayer and when that is enjoyed the mouth may be said not only to be opened but opened wide.