The Christians Defense Against the Fears of Death, To the reader – Dedication
THis Book in the Original, hath been ſo well approved of, by all Perſons, though of different Judgements in Religion, that it hath been fifteen times Printed in France, beſides what hath been done in Holland, and elſewhere in other Languages; it is of very great uſe to Divines for Funeral Sermons; and is very fit to be given away by well-diſpoſed Perſons at Funerals, and of excellent Ʋſe to every Chriſtian Reader.
THE CHRISTIANS Defence AGAINST THE FEARS OF DEATH. With Seaſonable DIRECTIONS How to prepare our Selves to Dye well.
Written Originally in FRENCH, By the late Reverend Divine of the Proteſtant Church of PARIS CHAR. DRELINCOƲRT. And Tranſlated into ENGLISH. By M. D'ASSIGNY B. D.
LONDON, Printed by T. N. for John Starkey, at the Miter in Fleetſtreet, near Temple-Barr. 1675.
To the Right Honourable, HENEAGE Lord FINCH, Baron of DAVENTRY; Lord Keeper of the Great Seal OF ENGLAND.
My LORD,
IT is the common Practiſe of pretenders to Learning, to ſeek the Favour of Perſons, of your Lordſhips Eminency, Nobility, and Piety, and to judge their Labors imperfect, if they inſcribe not in the Frontiſpice ſome Great NAME, to ſecure them againſt the attempts of Prejudice and Miſtake. I conceive that I ſhould wrong too much, our Religious and Ingenious Nation, and this Treatiſe, if I did entertain any ſuch Feat, and alledge it as the Cauſe of this Dedication to your Lordſhip; for I am perſwaded, that none will be ſo great an Enemy to himſelf, and ſo ſingular in his Judgement, to be offended at that which intends to protect him againſt our moſt dreadful Adverſary, Death; at that which hath met with ſuch an Ʋniverſal Welcome, amongſt all our neighboring Nations, that it hath appeared in many Languages, and been generally embraced in thoſe Countreys, by all Men that are named Chriſtians.
But here I muſt freely acknowledge the Cauſe of this ambitious Addreſs. Your Honour is worthily eſteemed One of the moſt Glorious Examples of Religion, and Juſtice amongst us: In imitation therefore of the Reverend Author; I do Humbly intreat your Lordſhip, to give me the Liberty to ſhew your Honour in the beginning of this Defence againſt the fears of Death; That my Chriſtian Reader may look upon an Original and a Copy together, and ſee the Practiſe, as well as the Diſcovery of the ſolid Comforts againſt Death. I ſhall not attempt to ſet forth this noble Original, my weak abilities cannot ſo well diſcover, and expoſe it to our view, as our daily Experience and Obſervation. Your Honors Vertues, Liberality, and Devotion, are viſible to us all; and the whole Nation, takes notice of your Lordſhips Family, to have been always very fruitful of the moſt experienced Men in the Law, the moſt renowned for Juſtice, and the most remarkable for Piety and Religion. And at preſent, we ſee (by God's Goodneſs) ſeveral Illuſtrious Branches, proceeding from your Honor; Branches that flouriſh already, to our great Admiration and Joy.
By them the Honor and Reputation of your Noble Family, will be for ever ſupported and defended againſt Death and Unconſtancy, as your Lordſhips Perſon and Name, are, and ſhall be by your Piety and Care of Religion. God Grant unto your Honor and Family, a Continuance and Increaſe of his Earthly Bleſſings, according to his *1 Tim. 4.8.Promiſe and after this mortal Life, God Grant to you, and your Poſterity, the fruition of his Eternal Bliſs in Heaven. This ſhall ever be the Prayer of
My Lord, Your Lordſhips moſt Humble, And moſt faithful Servant, M. D' ASSIGNY.