A Buckler Against the Fear of Death, Front matter – Dedication
A
The mind of the Frontispice.
THat Buckler which you see at top
No Cyclops fram'd: for if you look
Underneath't, you see the shop
Where't was made, that open Book.
The use of 't is those ghastly fears
And pale terrours to withstand
That assault when Death appear…,
Pictur'd here at your left hand.
Time, on the other side, doth pray you
To imbrace 't and use it well:
So Death shall not (though it slay you)
Hurt: each sand's your Passing-bell.
When the last is out (you know)
That's your picture quite below.
A BUCKLER against the fear of DEATH; Or, Pious and Profitable Observations, Meditations, and Consolations:
By E. B.
Printed by Roger Daniel, Printer to the University of Cambridge: And are to be sold by M. Spark junior, in the little Old-Daily in London. 1640.
To the Right Worshipfull Mris Helena Phelips, and Mris Agneta Gorges, grandchildren to the Right Honourable Lady Helena, late Lady Marchionesse of Northampton, now with God, E. B. wisheth the happinesse of grace here and of glory hereafter.
Gentlewomen,
THough there be nothing more certain, more impartiall, more sudden, then the stroke of Death, yet is there nothing so seldome thought upon, especially of those whose youth and health seem to suppose their graves a great way off. But I may not harbour such a thought of you. The piety of that Family whereof you are very suitable members is a sufficient prohibition. Piou… hearts are never barren of profitable thoughts: and amongst all those, wherewith even a gratious heart doth most abound, none are certainly more advantageous then thoughts of Death; which have ever more thoughts of Repentance, Iudgement, Heaven and Hell for their companions. Yet the best may be bettered: and what I present you with may make your meditations more, and peradventure more usefull then they were before. Some consolations you shall light upon; which is you suffer to work effectually, they will go nea… to …a chearfull expectation of that King of terrours which otherwise you might be sinfully afraid of. The poeme (if it may be called so) is a plain one, because I meant to profit not to puzzle you; and yet it is a poeme, that your profit might come in the pleasingest way. To assure you that the rhythme is no disparagement to the divinity of the matter, were to question your ingenuity, a great part of that wherein you exercise your selves both day and night being written in verse,*Lorin. in Psalmos. Tom. 1. p. 4. D. proveth it by many good witnesses. which notwithstanding is the mighty power of God unto salvation. If you accept and gain by this poore present, and withall give it leave to wear your names into the world, my ends are accomplished: and your selves (with all that honoured and religious familie) shall be remembred as often as I kneel before the throne of grace. And I will importunately beg of him that sitteth thereon, to increase the good gifts and graces of his spirit within you. What if your proficiencie in the wayes of piety be already famous? yet if my prayers find good speed with God, you may sit in glorie a degree the higher. Thus prayeth
Your humble servant to be commanded. E. B.