nesses to his child; as I invite the world to this my book, requesting each one would patronize therein such parts and passages thereof, as please them; so hoping that by several persons the whole will be protected. I have, Christian reader, (so far I dare go, not inquiring into thy sir-name of thy side or sect,) nothing more to burden thy patience with. Only I will add, that I find our Saviour, in Tertullian and ancient Latin fathers, constantly stiled a Sequestrator, in the proper notion of the word. For God and man being at odds, the difference was sequestered, or referred into Christ's 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 be under sequestration in that Mediator, for God's glory and our good, to whose protection thou art commited by Thy Brother in all Christian offices, THOMAS FULLER. PER MEDITATIONS. I. Curiosity curbed. OFTEN have I thought with myself, what disease I would be best contented to die of. None please me. The stone, the cholic, terrible, as expected; intolerable, when felt. The palsy is death before death. The consumption a flattering disease, cozening men into hope of long life at the last gasp. Some sicknesses 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 immortal. But away with these thoughts. The mark must not choose 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 careful to provide the plaister of patience against it. Only thus much in general: commonly that sickness seizeth on men, which they least suspect. He that expects to be drowned with K 2 |