Exodus 8:15

But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Ver. 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite.] Heb., A breathing, or respiration. So fulfilling that of the prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 26:10. In like sort William Rufus, being dangerously sick at Gloucester, in the sixth year of his reign, vowed, upon his recovery, to see all vacancies in the Church furnished: which he did, but with so much ado, as showed, that having escaped the danger, he would gladly have deceived the saint; a like the man in Erasmus's Naufragium, who in a storm promised the Virgin a picture of wax as big as St Christotpher: but when he came to shore would not give a tallow candle! Thus, in the sweating sickness ministers were sent for, and large promises made of amendment: but no sooner were they recovered, but they returned to their old courses, as Mr Bradford complaineth: whence Pliny, in one of his epistles to one who desired rules from him how to order his life aright, I will, saith he, give you one rule, that shall be instead of a thousand, Ut tales esse perseveremus sani, quales nos futuros esse profitemur infirmi: That we go on to be such when well, as we promised to be when sick. Men roar when upon the rack: but once got off, they think they may do as they wish.

a Daniel's Hist, fol. 58. Sciaputo il morbo, fraudato il santo.