THE CHRISTIAN'S CONSOLATIONS AGAINST THE FEARS OF DEATH, WITH SEASONABLE DIRECTIONS HOW TO PREPARE OURSELVES TO DIE WELL. WRITTEN ORIGINALLY IN FRENCH, BY CHARLES DRELINCOURT, Late Minister of the Protestant Church of Paris. TO WHICH IS PREFIXED, THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, AND HIS BEHAVIOUR IN HIS LAST MOMENTS. FROM THE FIFTH AMERICAN EDITION. WHEELING, VA. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DAVIS & MCCARTY. 1676 C1182,11,35 1883. Mar. 23, Gift 3 The Law Library. RECOMMENDATIONS. THE Christian's Consolations against the Fears of Death, hy the Rev. Charles Drelincourt, formerly of the Protestant Church of Paris, has demonstrated its intrinsic value, by the very numerous editions through which it has passed. We wish its American publishers much success in its circulation. WILLIAM STAUGHTON, Pastor of the Baptist Church in Sansom-street, Philadelphia. JAMES PATTERSON, Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church in the Northern Liberties, Philad. Pastor of the first Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. THE engraved Frontispiece, represents the very interesting scene that took place between the celebrated Joseph Addison, at the hour of his death, and his nephew, the young earl of Warwick; of whom his biographer says, "The virtue of this excellent man (Joseph Addison) shone brightest at the point of death. After a long and manly, but vain struggle with his distempers, he dismissed his physicians, and with them all hopes of life; but with his hopes of life he dismissed not his concern for the living. He sent for lord Warwick, a youth nearly related to him, and finely accomplished, but irregu lar in conduct and principle; on whom his pious instructions and example had not produced the desired effect. Lord Warwick came: but life now glimmering in the socket, the dying friend was silent. After a decent pause, the youth said, "Dear sir! you sent for me, I believe, and hope, you have some commands; I shall hold them most dear." May the reader not only feel the reply, but retain its impression! Forcibly grasping the youth's hand, Addison softly said, See in what peace a Christian can die! He spoke with difficulty, and soon expired. Through Divine grace, how great is man! Through Divine mercy, how stingless death!" PREFACE. THE usefulness of such a treatise as I now put into the hands of my reader, is so obvious, that to insist upon it, would be to suppose him of an understanding a little better than that of the beasts that perish: for who knoweth not, "that it is appointed unto all men once to die, and after this the judgment?" and that consequently, as our excellent author expresses it, the best philosophy must be the meditation of death. Neither shall I insist upon the character of this valuable piece, lest I should be thought to hold a candle to the sun, its reputation being already universally established amongst all people of piety and learning. The extraordinary approbation it has met with in all the countries of Europe, (as well Roman Catholic as Protestant) and the numerous impressions it has undergone in almost all the European languages, is a greater encomium upon it, than upon it, than any we can possibly find words to express. After a long experience and practice amongst departing souls, and in the houses of mourning, at the request of some of his congregation, who mightily approved of the proper and seasonable arguments that he made use of, to fortify their persons against the apprehensions of death, suitable to their conditions and tempers, did Drelincourt publish his book of CONSOLATIONS. Its truly Christian spirit and politeness, its great devotion, nervous sense, and elegance of expression, have deservedly given it access to courts as well as private |