"Fire. God of Abraham,Isaac & Jacob, not of the philosophers and the scholars…"

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist. On 23 November 1654, Pascal had an intense religious vision which began: "Fire. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of the philosophers and the scholars…" Following this mystical experience, Pascal had his "second religious conversion", abandoned his scientific work, and devoted himself to philosophy and theology.

Pascal wore stockings steeped in brandy to warm his feet

In 1647, a paralytic attack so disabled Blaise Pascal that he could not move without crutches. His head ached, his bowels burned, his legs and feet were continually cold, and required wearisome aids to circulate the blood; he wore stockings steeped in brandy to warm his feet. Later, his health improved, but his nervous system had been permanently damaged. Henceforth, he was subject to deepening hypochondria, which affected his character and his philosophy.

Sickness is the natural state of Christians

Blaise Pascal's ascetic lifestyle derived from a belief that it was natural and necessary for man to suffer. In 1659, Pascal, whose health had never been good, fell seriously ill. During his last years, he frequently tried to reject the ministrations of his doctors, saying, "Sickness is the natural state of Christians."

Pascal's last words being "May God never abandon me"

In 1662, Blaise Pascal's illness became more violent. In Paris on August 18, 1662, Pascal went into convulsions and received extreme unction. He died the next morning, his last words being "May God never abandon me". An autopsy performed after his death revealed grave problems with his stomach and other organs of his abdomen, along with damage to his brain.