An antidote against sinfull palpitation of the heart, or fear of death humbly offered to mens serious thoughts because sadly occasioned by that dreadfull plague and those horrid fears of death that have seized this present generation in England whom either greater sins, or weaker graces, or both together, have rendred more then ever timorous : made up of that singular and sovereign scripture, Hebrews 2, 15 ... / by Robert Tatnall ...

TO THE TRULY CHRISTIAN READER.

IT is not a time now (if ever) to comple∣ment with dying men and women that poor aid which any serious Christian can endeavour to give, in such a publick Calamity, as we all now do, or should deeply lament. The unworthy Labou∣rer in this small Piece of Service must acknowledge so much concerning himself, only for his Apology: That having been some time, till of late im∣ployed in London, as a Minister, He cannot but weep over it, in some Conformity to his Great President's weep∣ing over Jerusalem; And lisp that tender Affection, which he cannot express to so great a City. For it is be∣lov'd of all, and a City once much in, and ('tis hop't) not now out of God's favour: To be sure not left out of the

hearts of some few, who as formerly, do still most affectio∣nately pray for her, though they can do little else.

The Plague rages amongst us. Good men as well, though I hope not as much as bad men, are obnoxious to this visita∣tion. The latter understand little of the Duty or Comforts manifested in Scripture, Spiritually knowing nothing at all. Such if they will may hear the sounding of Gods Bowels and tender Mercies to them, as in some other in∣stances, so not least of all in those Comprehensive, though SHORT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SICK, with some other; very lately made publick by an Eminent Labou∣rer in the Gospel, which, with his leave, may be stil'd His repeated [Call to the Unconverted] in Epitome, or their (Now or Never) indeed. The Lord make those Instru∣ctions as effectual, as they are most opportune and im∣portunate too with mens souls. Surely the endeavouring of sinners conversion, especially at the brink of the Grave, must needs be a work of Sage Prudence, and an Apostolick Spirit. But who is sufficient as for that, so for the rest of the Labour? viz. The Edification and Building up of Souls in their most holy Faith, when their bodies are near ruine? Truly, be that now questions (who is?) must answer for himself, that he of all men, is not: Who yet counts it his great Duty to deplore it, as well as to confess it: And whilst he laments his own evident insufficiency; to rely upon that sufficiency which is of God; both to Di∣rect, Assist, and Bless the meanest of all his Labourers.

As for good men and women, who are so, though they can scarce themselves think so, yet they are Christs flock; And the Sheep and Shepherds too, cannot but chiefly tender their good. Now 'tis clear that Death is near them as well as others; Yea some of Gods most pre∣tious Children have been sick of the Plague, none that

I know do much doubt it to be King Hezekiahs sickness unto death; Nay, some have dy'd of it, as a most Eminent Minister of this City not long ago. And 'tis not que∣stion'd by some considerable Divines, but that many of the converted Corinthians dyed of the Plague, as well as others of them were much visited with it, so that many were sick, and many weak. Whereupon some may say, there may be no peremptorily asserted ground for a good mans looking on himself as unconcern'd, and exem∣pted in a common danger and calamity. But however it must be remembred, that a good man hath no reason to fear the fear of the wicked, whilst he hopes not their hope: He having more reason then any wicked persons have, to wait upon God for a special Protection; if the ninty first Psalm be a part of his Charter, as no doubt it is. Yet notwithstanding I find a great Terrour upon this Plague even possessing Good as well as Bad men. Which I am the more troubled at; because as good people have less cause to sink and faint away; so Christ by their dispon∣dency hath the less Honour. Which two inconvenien∣cies much sadder then a Plague, O that I could, as a poor Instrument, if not remove, yet abate, at least in some: O let Saints bear up, and stand in the Gap, or Breach: Aaron you know ran into the midst of the visited Con∣gregation, and stood between the Dead and the Living making atonement for them, till the Plague was stayed, Numb. 16.47, 48. Hath Christ made his people a Royal Priesthood to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable by Jesus Christ? and shall such run from the Congregation? I mean from their Duty, their Calling, their Charge, their own people, yea God and all, in vain? O let Christ be ho∣noured for the increase of whose Kingdom, by the conscien∣cious labours of Gods Children in their places, The world

both doth and shall stand through Gods mercy remembred in all his Judgments, even till the great and general day of the Lords Tribunal.

There are indeed no greater Motives to any good Action, or endeavour, then the advance of Christs Honour, and of the Holiness and Happiness of poor souls, who may, if they be wise, become with Abraham strong in Faith, and so rewarded with strong Consolation, that believing so, with him, they might rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory, not only after, but also before their death. All which is plainly intended in the Subject, or Scripture here presented to such as would be serious and safe. Which Design of God, and interest of man, if it be sincerely espoused in the ensuing Discourse: God will I hope in mercy pardon, and every good person pity his infirmities, who in pity prayes for a blessing of God upon this, and all other means to be used by such as are sick of the fears of Death before they are visited. Who therefore will not surely, when a Cordial is brought them from the God of Heaven, fling Glasse and all, in contempt at the poor Mes∣senger; who is

(Christian Reader)

Thine in the LORD heartily, R. T.