The Life of Faith in Death Exemplified, Title page – Dedication
THE LIFE OF FAITH IN DEATH. Exemplified in the liuing Speeches of Dying Christians.
By SAMVEL WARD Preacher of Ipswich.
LONDON, Printed by Augustine Mathewes for Iohn Marriot and Iohn Grismand, and are to bee sold at their Shops in Saint Dunstons Church yard, and in Pauls Alley at the Signe of the Gunne. 1622.
TO HIS DEARE AND LOVING MOTHER.
I Honour Augustine much for honouring his Mother so much after her death, whose name and example had otherwise lyen in obscuritie. But I like better, and wish rather to follow the piety of Nazianzene, who gaue himselfe to the performance of all Christian Offices to his louing Mother. God hath so blessed the former part of your life aboue the lot of most women, with two such able guides, as hauehave so stored you with Spirituall and Temporall furniture, that you neede not the ayde of any your Children. Neuerthelesse, Grace and Nature will bee ascending and expressing themselues, though in weake seruices. REVBEN when hee found but a fewe Flowres, must bring them to his Mother LEAH. ESAV when hee takes Uenison, gratifies his aged Father withall. SAMPSON findes home by the way and presents of it to his parents. Heere is a Posie gathered out of olde and new Gardens; this sauory meate hath God brought to hand, heere is sweete out of the strong. Let your soule eate and blesse. The vse and fruit of them I wish to eueryevery beleeuer, especially in age and sickenesse: but the handsell and honor of them (if any be) to your selfe, whom the Law of God and Nature binds mee to honour aboue others. Long may you liue to blesse your Children with your daily Prayers, especially your sonnes in that worke which needes much watering. Yet eueryevery good Christian in yeares cannot but desire to bee forewarned against death approching, and that is the ayme of these endeuours. God prosper and blesse them as the former: and send mee my part in the benefit of these (as hee hath done of them) in the time of vse.
Your Sonne in all dutie, desirous of the birth-right of your louelove and blessing. SA: WARD.