The fading of the flesh and flourishing of faith, or, One cast for eternity…

The Subject of this Tractate is partly, The true way to ⟨image 10⟩dye well; which I am sure is of infinite concernment to your immortal souls, and such a Lesson, that if it be not learned you are lost for ever.¹ The Cynic cared not what became of his body when dead, and the other Heathen could slight the loss of a Grave,² a little Earth; but without question it concerns you nearly to take care what becomes of your souls, and you cannot so easily bear the loss of God and Heaven.

The Subject of this Tractate is partly, The true way to ⟨image 10⟩dye well; which I am sure is of infinite concernment to your immortal souls, and such a Lesson, that if it be not learned you are lost for ever.¹ The Cynick cared not what became of his body when dead, and the other Heathen could slight the loss of a Grave,² a little Earth; but without question it concerns you nearly to take care what becomes of your souls, and you cannot so easily bear the loss of God and Heaven.

1. 1Laert.
2. 2Facilis jactura Sepulchri.

Men indeed are generally unwilling to hear of Death, and the Minister who would urge them to it, is as unwelcome as foul weather, which usually comes before its sent for; whatsoever hath a tendency to Death is killing; the telling them of it sounds as mournfully in their ears as the tolling of a passing Bell; and the making their Wills as frightful to them, as the making their Graves. Hence, when they are riding post in the broad way of sin and the World, and conscience would check and rein them in with the curbs of Death and Judgement, they presently snap them in pieces, and stifle its convictions; They dare not look into the book of Conscience, to see how accounts stand between God and themselves, but like Hawks are ever Hooded within doors,