The Period of Human Life, Imprimatur – Preface
Imprimatur,
Guil. Sill, Revdo Episc. Lond. a Sacris Domest. Jan. 24. 1677.
A DISCOURSE Concerning the PERIOD OF Humane Life: Whether Mutable or Immutable.
By the Author of The Duty of Man laid down in Express Words of Scripture.
LONDON, Printed by H. C. for Enoch Wyer, at the White Hart in St. Pauls Church-yard, 1677.
To the Honourable Colledge of Physitians at London.
Generous Gentlemen,
THat I presume to prefix your great Name to so mean a Book, proceeds not from any confidence I have of its value; but from the nature of the Discourse, which your excellent Profession is so much concerned in. For I must say, that since I could understand the Debate, I have thought their opinion, who maintain the Period of every mans Life to be unalterably fixed by an absolute Decree, does endanger your Profession so much, that the truth is, if it be true, you may seek out some new world for your practice; for here you should be only like the Idol-Gods, who could neither do good nor evil.
This the excellent Jo. Beverovicius did prudently foresee, and partly endeavoured to satisfie both himself and others, by asking the advice of the Learned men of his age.
But that the Period of Humane Life may be both extended and shortned, common experience does sufficiently attest. How many have duplicate page duplicate page been hurried to their Graves by the unskilfulness of Empericks; and are there not multitudes also that can witness, you have been (under God) the cause their Lives have been prolonged.
Gentlemen, I know you can expect no Panagyrick from such an unfit person as I acknowledg my self to be. And methinks I also hear all men say, that that is a business only for a Homer to perform. If … meanness of this Present be censured by some, yet I know you are more generous than to do so; especially since the bestowing of a more valuable and signal evidence of respect, is only impeded by the inability of,
Honoured Gentlemen, Your most devoted Servant, R. E.
The Preface.
Reader,
THE following Discourse is of so small bulk, that a Preface may seem as needless and ridiculous as an Index. In some few hours it may be perused, and then both the design of the Author and of the Book may be known. It may be thou desirest to know, what was the occasion of the following Discourse. But I know not if I be obliged to answer this and such like idle questions; yet to satisfie thy curiosity, know, that the Author was unhappily engaged to converse with a society of men, who frequently debated this and such like queries; and mostly he was opposed by the greater part, as maintaining an unreasonable position. Whether their charge be true or false, is a thing better determined by others unconcerned, than either by them or me. I know very well their clamorous calumnies and reproaches, which since I cannot shun, I shall endeavour to slight, as indeed unworthy to be regarded.
If men of good consideration dislike any thing in the discourse, I promise them, upon Information I shall either endeavour to satisfie them, or to rest satisfied with what they say. Nay further, if there be any Line in it inconsistent with Piety and Religion, freely reject it; for I perswade thee (if the Author knew any such) he would burn the Book for its sake.
But I hope upon trial there shall be found no harsh notion in it to offend the most squeamish conscience. For the opinion I have rejected is, in my judgment inconsistent with the Divine Goodness and Holiness, repugnant to the freedom of Humane Nature, and destructive of all lawful means for the preservation of a mans life. While as that sentiment I embrace, begets in mens minds, noble and generous conceptions to promote real Piety and Religion, and to shun all manner of wickedness and intemperance; upon the account that Piety is the means to prolong our lives, and wickedness the cause of our short lives. And that this is no cheat or delusion, the wisest of men has left upon record, Prov. 11. 19. As righteousness tendeth to life so he that pursueth evil, pursueth it to his own death. This brings to my memory the Psalmists advice, with which I shall conclude; What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good. Seek peace, and pursue it. But the wicked and deceitful man shall not live out half his days.