The forerunner of eternity, or, Messenger of death sent to healthy, sick and dying men / by H. Drexelius.

§ 4. To contemne Death is Christian valour.

NO man rightly governs his ••ife, but he that knows how to leave it, Wee cannot be so stu∣pid, but th••t we must needs know some time or other we must die. Yet when Dea••h comes, wee are frighted, tremble, grieve. But would not hee seeme to be a very Ideot, that would weepe, because he liv'd not unt••l a thousand yeers? and is not hee his equall who would li••e beyond a thousand? Thou wast not, thou shalt not be. Past and future ti••e are both at anothers Regimen. Wast not thou born to di••? Di•• no this happen to thy Father? to thy Ancestors?

to all that were before thee? Shall it not be laid upon all that come after thee? why should thy shoul∣ders be exempted from the cōmon burthen? Thou wouldest not fear to drink, to eat, to play, to sleep with others, why then fearest thou to die with others? Look but up∣on the long troop of those before thee, of those that follow thee, and those that goe along with thee, in the same houre with thy self. This is a faire prospective, View the known, and unknown World; and it is certain, that thousands each moment are born, and die, and by the same kinde of Death. Death perpetually hath bin a safe passage to rest. And there is nothing ill in Death but the feare of Death. If therefore we would be in quiet hereafter, it is best to have our souls ready. Shall I feare my end, when I know I am not without end? But you will say it is an hard thing to bring a mans minde to such an high passe to slight his own soule. It is easie to him: who knows to live, as he sung well.

A just man's first or last, Comes not too slow, or fast.

We deny not, but death hath some terrour in it, but therefore we are to learne how not to feare it. This is an infallible signe of a truly couragious soule, not to feare his going out. Hee truly knows whi∣ther he goes with comfort, that knows from whence hee came in teares. Theodosius, of whom Saint Ambrose makes mention was such an Emperour, who used to say. I love that man who when he is to die, is grieved more for the Churches hazard, then for his own dissolution. That therefore thou mayst never feare Death, al∣ways think on it.