DEATH AND HEAVEN, Of The Last Enemy conquered, and Separate Spirits madeperfect: With an Account of the rich Variety of their Employments and Pleasures ; Attempted inTwo Funeral Discourses, inMemory ofSIRJoHs IIARTOre, Bart. and his Lady, deceased. ROTO THE PREFACE TO THE GERMAN TRANSLATION. Sta, To Sir John llartopp, Baronet. ILO descend from such parents as yours,. is no common favour of heaven ; nor is it the blessingof every descendant to inherit the natural virtues of his progenitors: yet 1 know that you esteem your happiness incomplete, with- out the imitation oftheir heavenly graces, and theattainment of theirsuhlimest hopes. Forgive me, Dear Sir, if I take the liberty to say, it is with a sort of fond pleasure that I have beheld your victories over the most dangerous scenes and temptations of youth ; and every step in your progress towards perfect triumph, is an addition to my joy. The world and the church hold their eyes fixed upon you, while God and angels, and, perhaps, the souls óf your sacred ancestors, look down from on high to observe your conduct. Never wasthere a more proper time to awaken your zeal for the religionof Christ, than in a clay of spreading infidelity and heathenism nor can there be a fitter season to exert your utmost efforts for the support of serious piety, than in an age of numerous and growing iniquities. Yam just sense of reli pious liberty will shine in its fairest glory, while you stand as a barrier against the fearful inroads ofa wild and unbounded licentiousness. Nor can your at- tachment to the cause and interest of the Protestant Dissenters appear with more honour, than while they are defamedand scorned by the proud and the profane, and while their own. imprudent contests stand in needofyour can- dour and charity. Many are theadvantages you enjoy for this purpose. Dtvine Providence has placedyour circuinstanceo abovethe bribery of a flattering world, and a corrupt generation. Your superior sense has noneed to stand in awe offools, who make a mock of sin and godliness. Let your native modesty and gen- tieness then arm itself with an unshaken courage in the cause of God ; and fear not the malicious scoff and censure of sinners, since youhave nothing to expect or hope from them. Go on, Sir, and prospee, in the things of heaven, and becomeanexam- pleaf shining holiness in a degenerate world. Let the libertinesof thenation know, that you also dare to thinkfreely foryourself, and withall thatfreedom ofthought you dare to causethepaths of your holy ancestors. The peculiar favour of God lias provided youa consult, whosenatural and pious accomplishments and assistanoes will attend you through all the way. These will soften the seeming severities of strict religion with the
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