"But, if it be the soul's disease, then do I commit myself to the one Physician of the soul! He, if it stands at his good pleasure can cure; or kill! Let him do with me as, in his justice and wisdom, he shall see good. But who are thou, that meddlest in this matter? - that dares thrust himself between the sufferer and his God?" (pg. 115)
Because of the sin that he had committed and the secret he kept from others, Dimmesdale has felt tortured in his circumstances and literally became physically ill. In response to his decreasing health, Chillingworth tried to use his expertise as a physician to “help” the minister. In all reality, Chillingworth was trying to make Dimmesdale confess to having adultery with his wife. In response to this, Dimmesdale cries out this quote and makes it clear that Chillingworth is not the one to handle the situation, but God is the one to do with him as he pleases. He states that God can cure him of feeling this way or kill him whenever he wishes, and a wordly physician like Chillingworth is not needed.
This quote suggests the extreme trouble Dimmesdale believes he is in. The problem is not on the surface and con not be fixed by any human doctor, but the issue penetrates to the soul. Because of the sin Dimmesdale committed, he is in need of the forgiveness of God and he realizes that. Because he is a minister, Dimmesdale understands God’s laws and is not expected to break them, so when he does he can hardly handle the guilt and sorrow. However, he knows that God works in ways that no man can understand, especially Chillingworth who has the wrong intentions in helping him. Dimmesdale makes it clear he does not need Chillingworth in the middle of everything adding his thoughts, when the main issue is between himself and the Father.
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