The vanity of this mortal life, or, Of man, considered only in his present…

But I must here crave your excuse, that, on this account, I give you a narrative of what (for the most part) you already know, and may possibly not delight to remember; both because it is now become convenient that others should know it too, and not necessary to be put into a distinct Preface: And because to your selves the review of those less pleasing passages may be attended with a fruit which may be same recompense for their want of pleasure.

But I must here crave your excuse, that, on this account, I give you a narrative of what (for the most part) you already know, and may possibly not delight to remember; both because it is now become convenient that others should know it too, and not necessary to be put into a distinct Preface: And because to your selves the review of those less pleasing passages may be attended with a fruit which may be same recompence for their want of pleasure.

Ther• […] give the Reader leave to take notice, and let it not be grievous to you that I remind you, That after this your near Relation^* (whose death gave the occasion of the ensuing Meditations) had, from his youth, lived between Twenty and Thirty years of his age in Spain, your joint-importunity had at length obtained from him a promise of returning: Whereof. when you were in somewhat a near expectation, a sudden disease in so few days landed him in another world, that the first notice you had of his death, or ⟨image 3⟩sickness, was by the arrival of that Vessel (clad in mourning-attire) which, according to his own desire in his sickness, brought over the deserted body to its native place of Lupton; that thence it might find a Grave where it first received a Soul; and obtain a Mansion in the Earth, where first it became one to a reasonable spirit.

Ther• 〈…〉 give the Reader leave to take notice, and let it not be grievous to you that I re mind you, That after this your near Relation