Death Unstung, Title page – To the reader
Death Unſtung. A SERMON Preached at the Funeral of THOMAS MOWSLEY, An Apothecary, who died July 1669.
With a Brief Narrative of his Life and Death: Alſo the manner of Gods dealings with him before and after his Converſion: Drawn up by his own hand; and Publiſhed
By James Janeway, Miniſter of the Goſpel.
O Death, where is thy ſting?
Come and hear all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my ſoul,
Pſal. 66. v. 16.
LONDON, Printed for Dorman Newman, and are to be ſold at his ſhop near the Lame-Hoſpital in Little-Brittain, at the Chyrugions Arms. 1669.
TO My Beloved HEARERS, Eſpecially Thoſe of the Younger ſort, Grace and Peace.
Men, Brethren and Fathers,
GOD that made your ſouls, ſets a very high value upon them; and Chriſt that bought them, though they coſt his heart-blood, thought them worth his purchaſe, and that eternal glory or miſery that is prepared for ſouls ſpeaks them not to be inconſiderable. Ʋpon this account it's impoſſible that you and I ſhould uſe too much diligence in the ſecuring theſe ſouls; for this cauſe the Miniſters of Chriſt can eaſily over-look priſons, baniſhment and faggots, ſo that they may but be inſtrumental for the ſaving of ſouls, and delivering them from the wrath to come: This I hope is the ground that I am carrying on in this enſuing Diſcourſe: This may ſpeak when I may not, when I cannot. I might give many reaſons of my appearing thus in print. I might tell the world of the deſires of many, that by reaſon of the multitude could only ſee, but not hear. I might ſpeak of the want of time to deliver the fourth Part of what is here preſented to you. I might tell you of the importunity of ſome of the young men that would gladly write after this Coppy: But I muſt profeſs all this would have ſignified little with me; did I not find by that account which ſome give of the work of grace upon their hearts, that the Lord hath owned my poor papers formerly: Among others, that poor penitent Murtherer, Thomas Savage, which makes me not without hope that the ſame Spirit which breathed life into my other Writings, may pleaſe alſo to give a bleſſing to theſe. I will not ſtand now to anſwer the Objections that may be made againſt the Publication of this Sermon. I never met with this, that it is impoſſible that it ſhould be ſubſervient to the ſalvation of a ſoul, and therefore I think the coſt anſwerable. I muſt confeſs, had it not been for a neceſſary Caution or two, I ſhould have eaſed you of the trouble of reading, and my ſelf of writing this Epiſtle. The firſt is this; Be not offended if you find in the Young Mans Evidences ſome expreſſions that may ſound ſomewhat harſh, and ſome tautologies; remember that they are word for word from his own papers, as he wrote them haſtily: conſider alſo that he was but young, and a ſervant too; ſo that it ſeems almoſt incredible that one that had ſo much buſineſs, ſhould be able to redeem ſo much time as to do what he did of this nature. Secondly, I would it might be a little conſidered what a hurry I was in when this task was laid upon me, and how little time to peruſe my own Coppy; I beg you therefore candidly to over-look many miſtakes. As for you, my dear friends, I ſuppoſe a pardon is eaſily granted. As for others, ſcorn not holineſs, contemn not the future bleſſedneſs, and make ſure of happineſs in the life to come, and then I can eaſily bear your ſlighting of me. Young Men, I may be bold with you; I charge you as you value the comforts of another life, forget not what an excellent example this precious Brother of yours gave you. Read this enſuing Diſcourſe with ſeriouſneſneſs, and let it be read again in your lives. Brethren, you are my Joy and Crown, and if you ſtand faſt, I live. O make not my boaſting void! How can I bear to think that any of you ſhould periſh? For Gods ſake, and for your ſouls ſake, falſifie that Proverb, A Young Saint, and an Old Devil. Brethren, my hearts deſire is, that I may ſee you all with that bleſſed Saint at the right hand of Chriſt. Remember, your ſands run apace, and you are haſting into Eternity. O make ſure of that which will ſtand you in ſome ſtead when you die! O ſecure ſomewhat to live comfortably upon in another world! let your lives beſpeak you perſons reſolved for Chriſt, and Heaven upon any terms. Let your loyns be alwaies girt, and your lamps be burning. Whatch ye, be ſtrong; quit you like men. Remember, Chriſt, Heaven and Glory are before you. Sit not ſtill till you are ſafe in the boſom of Chriſt. Conſider that many ſet out fair and look as if they were bound for Zion, and yet founder in the way. I ſay again, make ſure: Sirs, I expect ere long to paſs upon Eternity; let me beg of you as you hope for our good meeting in another world, that you make Religion your buſineſs, and labour to get every day nearer Heaven. Endeavour not only to be Chriſtians, but ſolid, experienced, and examplary Chriſtians; that ſo you may prove the glory of your generation, the credit of Religion, and the Joy of gray-headed Saints. Sirs, you are now my hope; your-love, zeal and union, my comfort; go but on at this rate, and you are made for ever. Know this, now the eyes of the world will be upon you; nay, that which is more, the eye of God is upon you, and will take notice how you improve ſuch a Providence as this. I beſeech you look about, and let the world underſtand that you are not nominal Chriſtians, but real Saints. Will any of you ſend me ſorrowing into the grave? ſhall I loſe my hopes, and comforts, and you your ſouls? can you eaſily forget what was the practice of this Young Man? do you remember what was the uſual ſubject of his diſcourſe? did you not obſerve how holily, meekly and diligently he ſerved his great Maſter? is there no weight in a Crown of Glory? is there no deſireableneſs in happineſs? is it a ſmall thing to live in the ſociety of God, Saints and Angels? I am perſwaded you think theſe things conſiderable. Well then, act as perſons that long for poſſeſſion; which that all of you may enjoy, is, and ſhall be the prayer of one that deſires not to count his life dear ſo he may but finiſh his courſe with joy, and meet you with comfort hereafter;
James Janeway. July 28. 1669.