The Christians defense against the fears of death with seasonable directions how to prepare our selves to dye well / written originally in French by Char. Drelincourt ; and translated into English by M. D'Assigny.

CHAP. 17.

The Fifth Consolation against the Fears of Death, is to Meditate upon the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AS there is nothing more grieveous and unsuffera∣ble, than to behold a proud and insulting Enemy, who is alwayes victorious, and whom none can overcome in his insolent and braving humor; likewise, there is nothing more pleasant and comfortable, then to see such a pride cast down, and to overcome such an Enemy. Therefore the Children of Israel, who had long groaned under the cruel tyranny of Pharaoh, sung with Joy a Song of Triumph and Thanksgiving, when God destroyed that wretched Tyrant, and Buried him and his Army in the waves of the Red Sea. For this cause, when the Red Dragon, the ancient Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, Exod. 15. who seduceth whole Nati∣ons, was overcome, and cast down from Heaven to the Earth; There were Songs of Joy and Gladness heard in Heaven, Revel, 12. Now is come Salvation and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Christ, for the Accuser of our Brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night, therefore rejoyce ye Hea∣vens, and ye that dwell in them.

From hence let us conclude, Christian Souls, as it was a grievous Affliction, and a sensible Grief, to behold Death tyrannising over all the World, and shutting up in its Dungeons, Kings and Monarchs, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, and generally all the Children of A∣dam, of what condition or degree soever; likewise it is a great comfort, and unspeakable joy to us, to behold this cruel and proud Enemy brought down, overcome,

and disarmed, to see our Lord Jesus Christ marching out of Deaths fortifications, loaden with its Spoiles; rejoyce therefore ye Heavens, and ye that dwell in them, for the Murderer of our Brethren, is swallowed up into Vic∣tory.

We who are the Members of this great Conqueror, have a share in his Honour and Glory, in his Person, we are Conquerors of Death, so that we may say with the Apostle, That God hath quickened us together, and raised us up with him.

This Prince of Life, hath not only loosened all the bands of Death, and broken to pieces all its chains, but he hath led away Death in Triumph, and made it sub∣ject to his Celestial Empire. He hath an absolute power over Death, as he himself declares in these words, I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the Keys of Hell and of Death.

For it stands with reason, that if this invincible Lord, when he was in the Prison of Death, commanded over Death itself; if he broke in pieces its Iron bars, and its Brasen gates; if he caused the Dead to go out, and led them into the Holy City, now that he is out of the Grave a victorious Conqueror, he must needs command with an uncontrolable power, this dreadful Enemy which he hath already overcome, and brought under by his Almighty Hand.

O Death! fret and fume out thy rage and fury, I see that thou art tied as a Prisoner, to the Triumphing Charriot of Jesus Christ my Saviour, and I am certain, that thou canst do nothing without leave, and that thou canst not go a step, unless he lengthens thy Chain.

As Joshua, when he had overcome the Kings of Canaan, called for his Captains, and spoke to them in this man∣ner, Come near and put your feet upon the necks of these Kings, fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage; Likewise we may imagine, believing Souls, that our Di∣vine

Joshua, now that he hath conquered Death, calls to us from Heaven, tread upon this wretched Death with boldness, fear not, nor be dismayed.

The Children of Israel that trembled at the threatnings of Goliah, were freed from all apprehensions, when they saw him fall with a Stone from Davids sling, so that the most timerous, could have freely put their feet upon his Neck. And shall not you Christians, banish from your Hearts all fears and dread of Death, now that you see that it is cast down at the feet of our true David, the great Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls, for although it opens its Jaws, and that it fomes out flames of Fire, it hath nevertheless received the Stroke of Death, and is ready to give up the last gaspe.

And as the servant of Jonathan the Son of Saul, dis∣patched and killed those whom his Master had cast down; Thus we need but pursue the glorious Victories of the Son of the King of Kings; or rather, we need but gather up the pleasant Fruits of his Conquests, for this Prince of Life that hath overcome Death for us, offers to overcome it also in us, with the Weapons with which he arms us. In short, to speak properly, there can be no Death for such as are Incorporated in Jesus Christ, by a true and lively Faith, for he that lives and believeth in him, shall never Dye, and he that believeth in him, though he were dead, yet shall he live, Joh. 11.

A Prayer and Meditation for the believing Soul, that strengthens it self against the Fears of Death, by a Meditation upon the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

LOrd Jesus who hast been fully declared to be the Son of God, with power by thy Resurrection from the Dead, and who livest for ever and ever, strengthen me in my weakness, comfort me in my Sorrows, and drive from my Soul all Fears and apprehensions of Death. O wonderful Saviour! I need no longer fear this cruel and proud enemy, for thou hast broken all its fetters and chains, and hast overcome Death, and the Grave. O glorious and triumphing Monarch, what cause have I to dread a discomfited and disarmed Enemy, whom I see lying under thy feet, and chained to thy Triumphing Charriot; I need but follow the sacred Footsteps of thy Victories, and ga∣ther its excellent Fruits. If thou hast been able to deal with Death, when thou wast shut up in a Dungeon; if thou didst then, bring down its pride, and carry away its prisoners; what may not I expect, from thy Victorious and Almighty Arm, now that thou hast in hand, the Keys of Hell and of Death. O most mighty and merciful Lord! Thou hast not only overcome Death for me, but thou wilt also overcome it by me, who am thy Child, and the Sheep of thy pasture, where∣of thou hast paid the Ransome. Thou art not only raised from the Dead, but thou art also the Resurrection and the Life. Thou the Prince of Life, and the Lord of Glory and Immortality, so that he that lives and believeth in thee, shall never Dye, and whosoever believeth in thee, though he were Dead, yet shall he live. Sampson was worthily admired when he slept until midnight, rose up and carried away the Gates of Gaza upon his Shoulders, up to an high Mountain,

but who would not admire thee O invincible Nazarite! who having slept until the third day in the bowels of the Earth, didst rise again by thy Divine Vertue, carry away the Gates of Hell, and made them to become the Gates of Heaven, and the entrance into thy celestial Paradice. Let me Dye, seeing that my Redeemer liveth, and seeing that he intends to intro∣duce me into an happy Life, purchased for me with his most precious Blood, and secured unto me by his glorious resur∣rection. Amen.