[The Black Death and The Dancing Mania by Justus Friedrich Karl Hecker]@TWC D-Link bookThe Black Death and The Dancing Mania CHAPTER IV--SYMPATHY 9/39
It was only by the words which have been mentioned that it was excited, and it seized none but people of the lowest education.
Those who were attacked betrayed the greatest anguish, and fell into convulsions; others cried out, like persons possessed, that the Almighty would straightway pour out His wrath upon them, that the wailings of tormented spirits rang in their ears, and that they saw hell open to receive them.
The clergy, when in the course of their sermons they perceived that persons were thus seized, earnestly exhorted them to confess their sins, and zealously endeavoured to convince them that they were by nature enemies to Christ; that the anger of God had therefore fallen upon them; and that if death should surprise them in the midst of their sins the eternal torments of hell would be their portion.
The over- excited congregation upon this repeated their words, which naturally must have increased the fury of their convulsive attacks.
When the discourse had produced its full effect the preacher changed his subject; reminded those who were suffering of the power of the Saviour, as well as of the grace of God, and represented to them in glowing colours the joys of heaven.
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