The rule and exercises of holy living. In which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every vertue, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations. Together with prayers containing the whole duty of a Christian, and the parts of devotion fitted to all occasions, and furnish'd for all necessities.

Our own death.

And how if you were to die your self? you know you must. Onely be ready for it, by the prepa∣rations of a good life;* 1.1 and then it is the great∣est good that ever happened to thee: else there is nothing that can comfort you. But if you have served God in a holy life, send away the women and the weepers, tell them it is as much intem∣perance to weep too much, as to laugh too much: and when thou art alone, or with fitting company, dye as thou shouldest; but do not dye impatiently and like a fox catch'd in a trap. For if you fear death you shall never the more avoid it, but you make it miserable. Fannius that

kild himself for fear of death, dyed as certain∣ly, as Portia that eat burning coals, or Cato that cut his own throat.* 1.2 To dye is necessary and natural, and it may be honourable: but to dye poorly, and basely, and sinfully, that alone is it, that can make a man unfortunate. No man can be a slave, but he that fears pain, or fears to die. To such a man nothing but chance and peaceable times can secure his du∣ty, and he depends upon things without, sor his felicity; and so is well but during the pleasure of his enemy, or a Thief, or a Tyrant, or it may be, of a dog, or a wilde bull.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ad fines cum per∣v••ne••is 〈…〉〈…〉 P••th••▪ ••▪
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.