[ 1070] Death, the meditation thereof profitable to the Souls conversion.
THere is a story of one that gave a young Gallant a curious Ring,* 1.1 with a Deaths head in it, upon this condition, That for a certain time, he should spend one hour every day in looking and thinking of it; He took the Ring in wan∣tonnesse, but performed the condition with diligence, it wrought a wonder on him, and of a desperate Ruffian, he became a conscionable Christian. It were to be wished,* 1.2 that Men of all sorts would more think of death then they do, and not make that the farthest end of their thoughts, which should alwayes be the nearest thought of their end; but to spend some time fixedly every day on the meditation of death, and then by Gods grace, they would find such an alteration in their lives and conversations, that there would be gladnesse in the Church, peace in their own souls, and joy before the Angels in heaven for their Conversion.