Concerning Death and Heaven, Title page – To the reader
PRACTICAL DISCOURSES CONCERNING DEATH AND HEAVEN.
DISCOVERING The great Neceſſity of a ſpeedy Preparation for Death; with the danger of neglecting or delaying ſuch Preparations.
ALSO The Excellency, Glory and Happineſs of Heaven opened and explained, as the Portion of all true Believers after Death.
By Nathanael Ranew, late of London, Bookſeller.
London, Printed for N. R. and ſold by J. Robinſon, A. and J. Churchill, J. Taylor, and J. Wyat. 1694.
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
THE Deſire of all Men is to be Happy, and the Deſign of theſe Diſcourſes is to bring Men to the Enjoyment of the higheſt Happineſs.
The former Treatiſe, being a Diſcourſe of Death and the Grave, which are as a Way through which all muſt paſs to the attaining of this Happineſs, is that which is not acceptable but grievous unto Fleſh and Blood: The Diſſolution of the Union between Soul and Body; a turning to corruption and rottenneſs in the Grave, where Worms ſhall gnaw and feed upon thoſe Bodies, that now are the Beauty and Comelineſs of this lower Creation, as quickned and animated by Rational and Immortal Souls that inhabit in them; this is that which Nature dreads, and of all things in the World moſt abhors; and where there are in any no higher Principles to act from, than what is founded in Nature, to ſuch Death muſt needs be very terrible becauſe it is that which tends to its ruine and deſtruction.
Now it being the State and Condition of all Men by Nature, ſince their Apoſtacy from God, to have a prevailing Principle and Inclination in them unto the Creature, and to take up with the Enjoyments of this World for their Happineſs; when Death comes to break aſunder the Bonds of Life, ſuch Perſons are of all Creatures most miſerable; and no wonder then if Death be formidable unto them.
If now upon this, or any other account, there be any thing in the pale face of Death, that makes it have a grim and ghaſtly Aſpect, ſo that the thoughts of it are frightful and amazing to thee, and thou ſtarteſt back as one that is afraid to die; yet be not diſcouraged from ſtudious Meditations of Death; for though at the firſt they may be terrible; yet when thou haſt accuſtomed thy ſelf unto ſuch Contemplations, thou wilt find them very profitable, and ſuch as will by the Bleſſing of God work thy Heart into ſuch a ſerious frame, and put thee upon thoſe Endeavours and Practices, as have a tendency in them to fit thee for the approach of Death, which will much abate the fears and dread thereof unto thee.
And as a farther encouragement unto ſo beneficial an employment, take into thy moſt ſerious thoughts the Glory and Happineſs of Heaven, unto which Death brings all thoſe that are prepared for it; which is the ſubject of the ſecond part of theſe Diſcourſes, and truly this is a State of ſo great Bliſs and Happineſs, as may well lift up thy Soul above all the diſcouragements of the pains and torments of Sickneſs, the horrours and fears of Death, in the ſeparation of Soul and Body thereby, and the loathſomeneſs and corruption of the Grave, and fill thee with vehement longings and deſires after the poſſeſſion and enjoyment of it.
I need not, I hope, make any Apology for the publiſhing of that which may be helpful to prepare Chriſtians for Death and Heaven, and ſuch is the deſign of the following Diſcourſes; and that they may be ſo, read them over attentively, meditate on them ſeriouſly, pray over them fervently, and practice what is contained in them diligently and conſtantly, and through the Bleſſing of God they will be effectual to bring thee unto the Happineſs of Heaven; which is the earneſt and hearty Deſire, and ſhall be the daily Prayer of the Publiſher. If thou reapeſt any benefit hereby, give God the Glory for his Aſſiſtance herein, and let him have thy Prayers, who deſires nothing ſo much as the Honour of God, and the good of Souls,
Farewel.