_His charity to the sick._
1. IF his charity to the poor was thus great, it was still greater to such poor as were sick. He was not content to assist these in one or two ways; but they found in him, and often in one visit, a benefactor, a physician, apothecary, surgeon, a pastor, friend and servant.
2. In the year 1641, he learned to let blood, and several parts of surgery. He acquainted himself likewise with the manner of making up most sorts of medicines; and he consulted with a physician, by whom he was instructed in the principal parts of the art of physic. Whenever he went abroad, he had with him a surgeon’s box, and powders for the cure of most ordinary diseases; which he used with great dexterity, and with equal prudence, never advancing beyond his knowledge.
3. In his visits to the sick, he never ♦shunned any service necessary for them, and in his power to perform; as making their beds, helping them to bed, making their fire, setting in order their little houshold-stuff; hoping thereby to win upon their affections, and draw them to God with more facility.
♦ “shuned” replaced with “shunned”
4. In every family he took an opportunity to enquire whether God was served there? And whether any quarrels or differences were among them, which he took care to make up without delay. And he never left any without providing for all their necessities, which he took notice of with incredible diligence, sweetness, and respect; dispensing with other business, that he might have time to hear all their complaints.
5. Neither did he only visit the sick, but they also sought him, and would find him out wheresoever he came, if they were able to go abroad. The sick, the weak, the lame, or otherwise infirm, flocked to him from all quarters: he might often be seen encompassed with them; some requesting his medicines, some his alms, some his counsel. He treated all, as a true disciple of his great master, with the like diffusive charity; and stood in the midst of them with the like goodness and patience, endeavouring to do good, and to minister comfort to all.
6. Nor did his charity decline the care of those diseases which nature cannot behold without horror and aversion. During his stay at _Dijon_, he was informed of one, who having been among a company of soldiers, was left by them in so noisome a condition, that none would come near her, and the person where she lodged was going to turn her out of doors. He went instantly to the house, perswaded them to keep her there, and hired a woman to attend her. Then he provided her proper physic and nourishment, which he brought her with his own hands: in the mean time, reading to her every day, instructing and comforting her. By this means he at length not only retrieved her from the jaws of death, but induced her to spend the rest of her life in a virtuous and Christian manner.