Deaths Duel, Title page – Publisher to the reader
DEATHS DVELL, OR, A Consolation to the Soule, against the dying Life, and liuing Death of the Body.
Deliuered in a Sermon at White Hall, before the KINGS MAIESTY, in the beginning of Lent, 1630.
By that late learned and Reuerend Diuine, IOHN DONNE, Dr. in Diuinity, & Deane of S. Pauls, London.
Being his last Sermon, and called by his Maiesties houshold THE DOCTORS OWNE FVNERALL SERMON.
LONDON, Printed by THOMAS HARPER, for Richard Redmer and Beniamin Fisher, and are to be sold at the signe of the Talbot in Alders-gate street. M.DC.XXXII.
To his dearest sister Mrs. Elizabeth Francis of Brumsted in Norff.
DEarest Sister, for any so meane as my selfe to prefixe a Dedication to so worthie a mans worke as this is, is a bouldnesse little inferior to presumption it selfe. But the Copie being bestowed vponupon me by a worthie Friend of mine (farre more able) who would not himselfe take that office vponupon him; Principally to let you know, how faine I would shew my gratitude to you, whose debtor I hauehave euer bin; & well knowing your well knowne zeale to deuotions of this straine, To you I dedicate (before all others) this sacred Tractate; Of your acceptation of it, I doubt not; But my desire is that you would accept also the louelove of him that can no wayes else (as yet) giuegive your deseruings better satisfaction, then by remaining.
Your euer truly louing and deuoted Brother, RICH. REDMER.
To the READER.
THIS Sermon was, by Sacred Authoritie, stiled the Authors owne funeral Sermon. Most fitly: whether wee respect the time, or the matter. It was preached not many dayes before his death; as if, hauing done this, there remained nothing for him to doe, but to die: And the matter is, of Death; the occasion and subiect of all funerall Sermons. It hath beene obserued of this Reuerend Man, That his Faculty in Preaching continually encreased: and, That as hee exceeded others at first; so, at last hee exceeded himselfe. This is his last Sermon; I will not say, it is therefore his best; because, all his were excellent. Yet thus much: A dying Mans words, if they concerne our selues; doe vsually make the deepest impression, as being spoken most feelingly, and with least affectation. Now, whom doth it not concerne to learn, both the danger, and benefit of death? Death is eueryevery mans enemy, and intends hurt to all; though to many, hee be occasion of greatest goods. This enemy we must all combate dying; whom hee liuing did almost conquer; hauing discouered the vtmost of his power, the vtmost of his crueltie. May wee make such vse of this and other the like preparatiues, That neither death, whensoeuer it shall come, may seeme terrible; nor life tedious; how long soeuer it shall last.
R.