Due Preparations for the Plague, As Well for Soul As Body

by Daniel Defoe, George Atherton Aitken (Editor)

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...

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1903

About the author

Daniel Defoe was an English novelist, journalist, merchant, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularise the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Defoe wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.
Defoe was a prolific and versatile writer, producing more than three hundred works—books, pamphlets, and journals—on diverse topics, including politics, crime, religion, marriage, psychology and the supernatural. He was also a pioneer of business journalism and economic journalism.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

The work is highly didactic, but what can you expect from an 18th century conduct manual.