Good Thoughts in Worse Times, Title page – Dedication
GOOD THOUGHTS In Worse TIMES.
Consisting of
Personall Meditations.
Scripture Observations.
Meditations on the Times.
Meditations on all kind of Prayers.
Occasionall Meditations.
By THO. FULLER. B. D.
LONDON, Printed by W. W. for John Williams at the Crowne in St Pauls Churchyard. 1647.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
WHen I read the Description of the Tumult in Ephesus, Acts 9. 32. (wherein they would have their Diana to be Jure Divino, that it fell down from Iupiter) it appears to me the too Methodicall caracter of our present confusions. Some therfore cryed one thing, and some another, for the assembly was confused and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. O the distractions of our age? And how many thousand know as li… tle why the sword was drawn, as when it will be sheathed. Indeed, (thankes be to God) we have no more house burnings but many heart burnings, and though outward bleeding bee stanched, it is to be feared that the broken vaine bleeds inwardswhich is more dangerous.
This being our sad condition, I perceive controversiall writing (sounding somewhat of Drums & Trumpets,) doe but make the wound the wider, Meditations are like the Ministrel the Prophet called for, to pacifie … 2 Kings. 3 15.his minda…liscomposed with passion, which moved mee to adventure on this Treatise, as the most innocent and inoffensive manner of writeing.
I confesse a Volumn of another Subject, and larger Size, is expected from mee. But in London I have learnt the difference, betwixt downright breaking, and craving time of their Creditors. Many sufficient Merchants though not Soluable from the present make use of the latter, whose example I follow. And though I cannot pay the Principall, yet I desire such small Treatises may be accepted, from me as Interest or consideration mony, untill I shal God willing be enabled to discharge the whole Debt.…: 3
If any wonder that this Treatise comes Patron-lesse into the World, let such know that Dedications begin now adayes to grow out of fashion. His Policy was commended by many, (and proved profitable unto himselfe) who insted of Select Godfathers, made all the Congregation Witnesses to his Child, as I invite the World to this my Booke, requesting each one would patronise therein such parts and passages thereof, as please them, so hoping that by severall persons the whole will be protected.
I have Christian Reader, (so far I dare goe, not inquiring into the Syre-name of thy Side or Sect) nothing more to …urthen thy Patience with. OnelyOnly I will add, that I finde our Saviour in Turtullian and ancient Latine Fathers, constantly stiled a *Seque…er.Sequestrator in the proper notion of the Word. For God and man beeing at ods, the difference was Sequestied or referred into Christs his hand to end and umpire it. How it fareth with thine estate on earth I know not, but I earnestly desire, that in heaven both thou and I may ever bee under Sequestration in that Mediator for Gods glory and our good, to whose protection thou art committed By
Thy Brother in all Christian Offices. THO. FULLER.
PERSONALL MEDITATIONS.
I. Curiosity Curbed.
OFTEN have I thought with my selfe, what Dis…ase I would be best con…ented to die of. None please mee. The Stone, the Cholick terrible, as expected, intollerable, when felt. The Palsie is death before Death. The Consumption a flattering Disease, cozening men into Hope of long life at the last gaspe. Some sicknesse besot, others enrage men, some are too swift, and others too slow.
If I could as easily decline diseases as I could dislike them, I should be immortall. But away with these thoughts. The Marke must not chuse what Arrow shall be shot against it. What God sends I must receive. May I not be so curious to know what weapon shall wound me, as carefull to provide the Plaister of Patience against it. Only thus much in generall: commonly that sicknesse seiseth on men, which they least suspect. He that expects to be drown'd with a Dropsie may bee burnt with a Fe…vour, and she that feares to bee sw…lne with a Tympany may be shriveled with a Consumption.
II. Deceiv'd, not hurt.
HEaring a passing-Bell, I prayed that the sick m…n might have through Christ, a safe Voyage to his long home. Afterwards I understood that the party was dead some houres before; and it seemes in some places of London the Tolling of the Bell, is but a Preface of course to the ringing it out.
Bells better silent then thus telling Lyes. What is this but giving a false alarum to mens Devotions, to make them to be ready armed with their Prayers for the assistance of such, who have already fought the good sight, yea and gotten the Conquest? Not to say that mens Charityherein may be suspected of Superstition in Praying for the Dead.
However my Heart thus powred out, was not spilt on the ground. My prayers too late to doe him good, …ame soone enough to speake my good will. What I freely tendred God …airely tooke, according to the integrity of my Intention. The Partie I hope is in Abraham's and my prayers I am sure are returned into my owne …osom.
III. Nor full, nor fasting.
LIving in a Country Uillage where a Buriall was a rarity, I never thought of Death, it was so seldome presented unto me. Comming to London where there is plenty of Funeralls, (so that Coffins crowd oneanother, & corps in the grave justle for Elbow roome) I slight and neglect death because grown an object so constant and common.
How foule is my stomach to turne all foode into bad humours? Funeralls neither few nor frequent, worke effectually upon mee. London is a Library of Mortality. Uolumes of all sorts and sizes, rich, poore, infants, children, youth, men, old men daily die; I see there is more required to make a good Scholler, then onelyonly the having of many bookes: Lord be thou my Schoolemaster, and teach mee to number my dayes that I may apply my heart unto Wisedome.