Mr. Boltons last and learned worke of the foure last things, death ...

BEFORE DEATH. 451. By calking forc-thotght of future evils, *^ttvghtsofwhich forty to one may never fall our. Many men ^T^en'^tkelamperfwaded, (fuch is the naturall vanity ofour ^?'^'f.minds) do morevexc themfelvcs withfearcandfore-conceipt ofimaginary evils, which never befall5 then they have juft caufe, to take on andtrouble their hearts for all Other true,reall,a(5lualltroubles, which fall upon them. Thus manytimes do men torture themfclves vainly with immoderatefeare of forreine invafion, home-bredconfufion, change of religion, the fiery triall,burning at a ftake, diftradion ofmind, furprize bythe Plague, Small Poxe, Purples, Spotted Fever,diftrcffe and going backward in their outwardftate, lofTe offome child they love beft, deftrudionoftheir goods by fire, robbery, fliip-wracke,the frownesof greatntfle, hurt and revenge fromthofc that hate them, hardneffe of heart, failing oftheir faith, fpirituall defertion, overthrow bytemptation, defpaire of G o D s mercies, fuddendeath,difcomfortablc carriage in their laft fickneflc,the ^.t/^ of ftare himfclfci what (hall becomeof their children, when they are gonc,&c.By thcfc and millions mocof fuch caufelcfTe andcarking fore-imaginations, the very flower and vigourof mens fpirics may be much emafculatcd,and wafled wofully. A godly care to preventthem by repentance and prayer ^ and a careful!preparation by mortifying meditations, andChnflian magnanimity to beare them padently , ifwe be pl.t unto it, is commendable ard comfortable: but in the mcanetimc to unfpirit and macerate