This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1901. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Son. Then we must come, madam, to inquire what you mean by preparations. Daughter. If I may speak before my mother, I'll tell you, brother, what I believe my mother means, or at least how I understand it. Mother. I doubt not but you both understand it, and understand it alike. Daughter. I understand by preparations for death, repentance and a reformed life. Mother. They are the general, indeed, child; there may be many particulars in them, but I am no preacher, take it there, the rest will follow, of course; repent and reform, those two will contain all the preparations you can want or I desire. Son. Nobody can object that we ought not to repent and reform. Mother. Well, child, I only press to the present going about it, because the judgments of God are at hand, and you complain that this is frighting the people, in which I think you are mistaken. Son. No, madam, if you mean no otherwise, I join with you with all my heart, certainly we should be persuaded by all just and reasonable argument to repentance and reformation. I did not deny that, I only said I hope the plague may not be so near as you fear it is. Mother. Well, son, we will not differ about that; if it pleases God to spare us, and to spare the land in which we live, I shall be one of the first to rejoice and give thanks; and though I dare not say I expect it, I shall not cease to pray for it, still carrying this along with me in all I have to say of it: that to repent and reform our lives, and turn with all our hearts to the Lord, which is what I mean by preparations, it the only way to be unsurprised at it when it comes upon us. A mind suitably prepared, is a mind fortified and made bold to meet the world; prepared to give up itself into the hands of a merciful Saviour. A heart prepared is the heart...
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