Book 111.

The Temple ofH^ff.^ome,
death of theQjcrent ? 2. What manner of death may he die? 3. .^hall the Querent obtain the wives porti- o;i ? 4. Shall the Querent or his wife die firft ? &c»
And now wehopcj after we have briefly given judge- ment of (biae queftions throu^:;h all thefe twelve parts of the Earth,any capacity by varying thefe Rules , mayalfo refolve any demand. And this we do really out of af- feftion to our country. And here followetha Scheam
of the Earth, and Rules given how to refolve anydc-'^* fnand. And here we note unto cP, becaufe this Houfe taJi;csn;>ticeof the death of flefh 5 for as the Wifeman
teacheth^
'J 6 Thel'empleofiVifdome. Book III.
■■ I " i I MMM^MlM . ... I — — . ____—_—-
ttzohtth^Temfus pariendi^^ tempns monendi: Ihere is a time to he horn^and a time to die. Daily experience teach- cth us J that whatfoever hath a birth, prefently paffeth a- way &: hafteth towards death. And every thing that hath a beginning, doth neceflarily and unavoidably roul to- wards its end : And this agrees with the Doftrine of the holy Apoftle Saint ?aul^ Heb.p.ij, Ihdflatutum eft Hominibus ut femel morientur : It is appointed mito all men once to die : And they that live the longeft, die at laft. And thofe whofe lives are envied, do no more but die a little before the reft.
Some live longer then ocheg by reafon of propitious and fortunate Idea's and Rulers fortified by God at the time of tlieir birth ; which makes them by nature more ftrenuous and ftable, and of longer duration then thofe who incorporate unfortunate ones.
Now although death be the portion of every man and thing that hath life ; yet fome pcrfons arc fo peevifh, rafh and fearful, that they dare not be acquainted with the time; but are willing. to pafs on in a contented fla- vifti fear , as if their -Neicient or Non-vifibility could protefi: them ; when alas, poor wretches ! death fteals upon them at unawares.
Shall not he be accounted a filly Souldier, that will refufe to know the time he is to encounter his Enemie > It is rather a brand of cowardife, then a badge of bold- nefs or magnanimity, for a m.an to wink when he fights. Our life is jfihort and full of vanity.
To know the time of our death, (or any other materi- al accident) is a blefling given by God, and (hall man be fo(bttifti as to rejeft it ?
—ft was the faying of thelateKing Charls (who was a Prieftaud Prophet, in his eik^in basia^I^h, in the laft Chapter ) Ik^ow my !ife is the oh]eci of the Pe- vils and mck^d mms malice j hut yet und^r Godsjole cii'
ftody