Obs. [f. SOUL sb. + HEALTH sb. Cf. prec.] The health of the soul; moral or spiritual well-being; salvation.
a. With possessive pronoun or genitive.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 39. So may he winne worldes welthe And afterward his soule helthe.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 365. His preiers for the sawle healethe of his childe.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 10 b. Whiche is moost necessary for thy soule helthe.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xxiv. 357. The setting downe of rules for Religion and for mans Soulehealth.
b. Without article.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 371. Seynte Patrik … studiede to … brynge to the weye of sawle healethe the sawles of the bestialle peple. Ibid., V. 127. Take cownesayle of sawlehealethe.
1556. Olde, Antichrist, 81. The Germaines wolde not … ther seke soule helth.
1574. trans. Marlorat’s Apocalips, 14. God will gather togither the remnantes of that forlorne and desperate nation, vnto soulehealth.
1603. J. Davies (Heref.), Microcosmos, Wks. (Grosart), I. 36/2. Affliction’s water cooles the heate of sinne, And brings soule-health.
a. 1618. Sylvester, Paradox agst. Libertie, 587, Wks. (Grosart), II. 60. Sith, if hee use the same, soule-health it hurteth not.
