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

§ 25. Things to be specially observed by a dying man.

1 LEt h••m not rely upon, but renounce his owne merits, let him cast himselfe and all his sins into the boundlesse Ocean of Gods infinite mercy and com∣passion.

2 Let him be sure to stand fast in the bosome of the holy Catho∣like Church, and let him receive the blessed Sacrament seasona∣bly, it being his viaticum, and the food of his soul.

3 Let him withdraw all his af∣fections and love from fading and transitory things, and let his heart be united to God his hea∣venly Father. Let him long for the promised Canaan, that there hee may for ever offer prayse to God his Creatour.

4 Let him offer up himselfe a lively sacrifice to the glory of

God, for his most blessed will; to bear out of true love all the bit∣ternesse and anguishment, and all the pangs of death, though for a long time, and though hee might live longer, yet for the love of God, he refers himself to his wise disposing, either for life or death.

5 Let him never forget the bitter passion and death of Jesus Christ. Let him not rest till hee be united to Christ in his death, and let him in the depth of all his sufferings imitate our Saviour, to commend his soul into his fathers hands, that so as hee is made con∣formable to Christ in his death, hee may be likewise in his Resur∣rection.

But above all it is most safe for the dying man, that what hee would have to be his last words and actions, that hee begin to doe them in the state of his health.