THE 



HISTORY 



OF 



Life and Death 



Ibe Preface, 



T is a» ancient Saying , and CompJainti 

 That Life is Short, and Art Long. Where- 

 fore , it behoveth us , who make it our 

 chiefeft Aime , to perfect Arts - 3 to take 

 upon us, the Confederation, of Prdonging 

 Mans Life j God the Author of all Truths 

 and Life , profpering our Endeavours. 

 For though the Life of Man be nothing 

 elfe, but a Mafle , and Accumulation of 

 Sins , and Sorrows ; And they that look 

 for an Eternal Lite ? fet but light by a 

 Temporary \ Yet the Continuation of 

 workes of Charity , ought not to be contemned , even by us Chrifti- 

 aus. Befides , the Beloved Difciple of out Lord, furvived the other Dif- 

 ciplcs ; And many of the Fathers of the Chuuch , especially of the Ho- 

 ly Monkes , and Hermits , were long liv'd which fhewes , that this 

 Bleffingof Long Life, fo often promifed in the old Law, hadlefle A- 

 batemen/: after our Sax iours Dayes , than other Earthly Bleffings had. But 

 toeftcemof this, as the chiefeft Good, we are but too prone. Onely 

 the Inquirie is difficult , how to attain the fame And lo much the ra- 

 ther, becaufe it is corrupted with falfe opinions, anclvaine reports. 

 For bath, thofe Things, which the Vulgar Phyficians talke , of Radical 

 Meijlure , and Natural Heat , are but meer Fictions ; And the Im-mode- 



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