For if
one of them be never so learned, yet in his own disease and
sickness he never useth to trust all to himself, but sendeth for
such of his fellows as he knoweth to be able, and putteth himself
in their hands. This he doth for many considerations, and one of
the causes is fear. For upon some tokens in his own sickness he
may conceive a great deal more fear than needeth, and then it
would be good for his health if for the time he knew no such thing
at all.
I knew once in this town one of the most learned men in that
profession and the most expert, and the most famous too, and him
who did the greatest cures upon other men. And yet when he was
himself once very sore sick, I heard his fellows who then took
care of him--every one of whom would, in his own disease, have
used his help before that of any other man--wish that yet, while
his own sickness was so sore, he had known no physic at all. He
took so great heed unto every suspicious token, and feared so far
the worst, that his fear did him sometimes much more harm than the
sickness gave him cause.
And therefore, as I say, whosoever hath such a trouble of his
scrupulous conscience, let him for a while forbear the judgment of
himself, and follow the counsel of some other man whom he knoweth
for well learned and virtuous.
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