We knew his parents, neither of which were lepers; his father in
particular lived to be far advanced in years.
In all ages the leprosy has made dreadful havoc among mankind.
The Israelites seem to have been greatly afflicted with it from the
most remote times; as appears from the peculiar and repeated
injunctions given them in the Levitical law.* Nor was the rancour
of this foul disorder much abated in the last period of their
commonwealth, as may be seen in many passages of the New
Testament.
(* See Leviticus, chap. xiii. and xiv.)
Some centuries ago this horrible distemper prevailed all Europe
over; and our forefathers were by no means exempt, as appears by
the large provision made for objects labouring under this calamity.
There was an hospital for female lepers in the diocese of Lincoln, a
noble one near Durham, three in London and Southwark, and
perhaps many more in or near our great towns and cities.
Moreover, some crowned heads, and other wealthy and charitable
personages, bequeathed large legacies to such poor people as
languished under this hopeless infirmity.
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