The Period of Human Life Determined by Divine Will, Title page – To the reader
The Period of Humane Life Determind by the Divine Will.
A Funeral Sermon ON THE DEATH OF Mr. HENRY BROWNSWORD, Who Deceased April 27. 1688.
Preached, in compliance with his Desire and Direction on his Death-Bed, May 6. being the Lords-Day immediately following his Interrment:
AND NOW, To satisfie the Importunity of some of the Hearers, Published
By T. C.
PSAL. 89.47.
Remember, how short my Times is. —
LICENSED, June 18. 1688.
LONDON, Printed for I. Salusbury at the Atlas in Cornhill. 1688.
THE PREFACE to the Reader.
IT is so little a while since, that I exposed some hasty thoughts on a like Occasion to the view of the World, that I believe very few, besides such as are concerned in the furthering of this, do expect so sudden a publication of another Trifle. When I made that first adventure, I did not imagine that any of my Friends would take Encouragement from it, to put me upon a second; for I head reason enough to suppose, that those Papers would meet with such cold entertainment, as might justly stop all others from coming abroad after them; but their reception having been somewhat more favourable, than I lookt for, I am the more easily drawn into the snare again.
As for the Censures of those, whose malignant tempers incline them to think and speak nothing but evil, I do resolvedly despise them; tho at the same time I heartily wish, that they may gain that good by other Discourses, which they are not capable of getting from mine; for if Christ be preacht and receiv'd, I have learnt of the Apostle Paul to rejoyce, tho I am not the Instrument. If any persons have bitter envying and strife in their hearts, Jam. 3.14.'tis more their sin, than my Infelicity; and I should be much rather solicitous to perswade their Repentance, than procure their favour; because I am sure that my standing or falling does not depend upon their approving or condemning sentence.
I must own my self to be very much swayed and influenc't in this case, by the Judgment of some, whom I have a great reverence and value for; I am well satisfied in the goodness of the End which they propos'd, tho I doubt of the sufficiency of the Means; but if through the blessing of God the successe of this Discourse should bear any proportion to their charitable opinion of it, it will be pleasing to them, that they gave such all-vice, and it will not be grievous to me, that I have follow'd it.
The plain design is nothing else, but to quicken men, application of their hearts to Wisdom; for the generality of Mankind have so weak and faint a sense of their Mortality upon them, that tho nothing is more certainly to be expected, than the putting off of this Tabernacle, yet nothing is less consider'd;Eccless. 7.2. and that which is the end of all men, is laid to heart almost by none, till it comes upon them. We might be taught to number our days by observing the measure of other Men's; the crowds which are continually going to their long Home, admonish them that survive, how frail they are, and how serious they ought to be; but the oftner these Lectures are read, the sooner they are forgotten, and the frequency of instruction lessens the power of impression: Sermons of this kind are too commonly heard, after the same manner that mens years are spent, viz.Psal. 90.9. as a tale that is told. Hence it is that after they have worn out a Life more vain and stupid than that of Beasts, they dye at last (in the worst sense) as a Fool dyeth, and are swallowed up not only in the Heart of the Earth, but in the belly of Hell. I have offer'd something towards the Cure of this inexcusable sottishness, in the following pages, if the Readers will but make use of it to the same purpose for which it was written. Young men especially will here see (who are apt to be too much diverted by urgent temptations) how great a necessity lyes upon them, to be sober-minded, Tit. 2.6.and to abound in that work, which deserves the most and best of our time; that they may not lose their Souls in the pursuit of Youthfull lusts, and drown themselves in the short pleasures of sin, till the slender thred of their Lives is broken, and they drop into eternal Fire.
If any are effectually quicken'd and wrought upon, so as seasonably to remember their last End (which because Jerusalem did not, Lament. 1.9.she came down wonderfully) the Author earnestly beggs of such, that they would put up one request for him before the Throne of God, That he may have an increase of Gifts and Graces suitable to his Work, and fill up the Station, wherein God (the Holy Ghost) hath set him, with the most usefull and eminent services; which is the highest ambition of his Soul, and the Avowed Scope of his Life, who would be all means approve himself,
A Faithfull Promoter of Truth and Holiness, T. Cruso.