The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, To the reader
TO THE Christian Reader.
Christian Reader,
THE right improvement of good Examples, doth reach the highest ends of man, (viz.) Gods honor, and the souls welfare. It was an honor unto King David, 2 Sam. 23.to have so many men of valor under his command. And doubtless the wisdom, faith, love, Zeal, courage, and humility, which Gods faithful servants in the several ages of the Church have expressed in their attendance upon him, do publish the high praises of his blessed Majesty. For if there appear so much worth in small drops, what is there in the Seas of Divine Al-sufficiencie? He that seeth the Sun-beams bright, will see cause to admire the brightness of the Sun it self.Exod. 34. 28. 30. 35. The luster left upon Moses his face, by the reflection of the glory of Gods back parts, was a full demonstration of the incomparable infinite glory of his face. When we read of me raised above the World, despising promises, and scorning threatnings, whereby they have been assaulted to desert the Truth of the Gospel, and to make shipwrack of a good conscience; how can we do less then glorifie God in them?Gal. 1. 23. 24. For can any power, on this side Omnipotencie, enable sinful men to deny themselves, their dearest relations, and the greatest earthly advantages for Jesus Christ? How much of Deity shines in their Lives, who could trample upon preferments, laugh at imprisonment and banishment, yea with smiles and joys embrace stakes, and endure flames, in love unto the Lord Jesus? Oh what abundant occasion is administred of adoring the most High God, in his rich perfections, faithfulness and unchangeableness, when we consider, how even to admiration, he hath furnished many of his Ambassadors with raised parts and graces to defend his cause and edifie his Church, in the several corners of the World from generation to generation!Verè magnus est Deus Christianorum. Histories hold forth the acknowledgements extorted from Heathens to the honor of the true God, upon the notice taken of Christians gracious carriage, both in life and death: When you be informed of their unwearyed industrie in services, and their undaunted magnanimitie in sufferings for Christ their Lord, then conceive, that you hear themselves thus speaking unto you with a loud voice;Acts 3. 12. Psa…. 115. 1. Why look you thus upon us? Not unto us, not unto us, but unto the Name of God give glory. And as our gracious God is advanced, so may our selves be very much advantaged by a due consideration of those things, which have been exemplary in the Lives and deaths of choise men, Champions for Scripture truths, and Patriots for the power of godliness.1 Pet. 2 12. & 3. 1. For as Gods Laws are the good mans rules;1 Cor 7. 16. so good Examples are his motives and encouragements. The holy Scriptures do hint the prevalency hereof for saving conversion.2 Tim. 3. 14. Ac…si diceret, satis corum testimoniis tam probatam esse fidem, ut non sit haesitandum. And it is reported that Justin Martyr by observing the pious Lives and patient deaths of the Martyrs, was brought to Christ. Men likewise may be fast riveted, and more strongly rooted in the Truth received, by reflecting upon the sound judgements and spotless Lives of them who have published and maintained it.Calv. in Heb. 12. 1. Le qu…e, ut te vide…m. Sermo quidem viv…s, & efficax, exemplar est. Bern. Heb. 11. 4. In which respect Pauls speech unto young Timothy is very remarkable; But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. Such are witnesses with a witness, there are none such.
The common people are more apt to enquire what Ministers do, then what they say.Cujus adhuc vis magna, & velut continua solicitatio. Rivet. Exerc. 43. in Gen. Prov. 2. 20. And the eye is more operative and affecting then the ear.
Neither is this only true, in regard of Gods Worthies who live with us, but also in reference unto them who have lived long before us. The Apostle writing to the Hebrews concerning Abels faith, he tels them, that by it, though he be dead, he yet speaketh. Upon which phrase famous Master Perkins, hath this note. Abels faith, is a never dying Preacher.
It is the pleasure of Almighty God, that we should walk in the way of good men, and keep the path of the righteous. Walk so as you have us for an example. Phil. 3. 17. 20. Admonet non esse omnes promiscuèlmitandos. Cal. in loc.The Apostle Paul draws their observation and imitation, upon those who were really and eminently good.
And the Apostle James, inculcates the same thing. Take, my Brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the Name of the Lord, for an example. Jam 5. 10.In Examples there should be excellencie and conspicuitie; As the stamps upon coyns which make them current. It is most true that wise Solomon sends sluggish man unto School,Prov. 6. 6. to learn of the Pismire. And therefore, grant that Christians should imitate Heathens in their virtues: how much rather then, ought we to make practical improvement of the Epitomized Lives of these many eminent servants of Christ, who are presented to our view in this book?Etsi exempla bonitatis Dei ubique eluceant, &c. vide Rivet. in Psal. 21.
These fair copies we should spread before our eyes, and write after them, till our writing, our living be like them. Frequent meditation upon the wise savorie speeches, and holy gratious practices of these renowned Worthies, will be a special means to mould us (even us) into the same similitude.
Peter Martyr, Loc. Commu. part. 1. cap. 6.perswading the improvement of good Examples, tell's a storie of a deformed man, marryed unto an uncomely woman, who, being desirous of comely children, bought many beautiful pictures, and desired his wife daily to look upon them, by means whereof their children were handsome and lovely. And doubtless, brave Christian qualifications might be begotten in our bosoms by filling our heads and hearts frequently with the commendable conversation of these holy men of God, who have been burning and shining lights in the Churches of Christ, in their respective Ages.
But whilst we are moving imitation, we must not forget to give in some few cautions to prevent miscarrying.
1. Do not so Idolize any man in respect of his place, parts, or graces, as to make him your pattern in every particular. The Apostle gives in a good Item to the Corinthians, which concerns all Christians, Be followers of me, as I am of Christ. 1. Cor. 11. 1.Christians are not bound (as Master Latimer expresseth himself) to be the Saints Apes, laboring to be like them in every thing: It's Christs peculiar honor, to be imitated in all morals absolutely. This caveat is necessary in these Man-admiring times, wherein many pin their faith and consciences upon some mens sleeves. Here it might seasonably be remembred, that the opinion and practice of the Apostle Peter did once lead many out of the right way.Gal. 2. 11, 12, 13. When mens parts are high, their graces shining, or their power great, we are in danger either to be dazzelled with their brightness, or biassed by their greatness. Therefore before you adventure to follow men, weigh the chiefest of them in the ballance of the Sanctuary,Non er…meranda suffia…ia, sed pe… pend…nda. August. 1. and try their most specious notions and actions by the touchstone of the Temple.
2. Beware on the other hand, lest you so pry into and peer upon the weaknesses of Gods Worthies, as not to value and imitate those virtues which did break forth brightly in their conversations. You must give good gold all its allowance, and not throw it aside, because it wants some grains and hath a crack. The Snow-like Swan hath black legs, and in many things we offend all. Iam. 3. 2.And though some of these pretious servants of Jesus Christ, who are justly commended in this book, had their blemishes in judgement, or in some actions: yet how much did they in many particulars exceed the most famous Professors of our times?
3. When you meet with that in their lives which was not onelyonly truly, but eminently good, sit not down satisfied till you have attained their measure. Be followers of me, Phil. 3. 17. 20&c. (saith the Apostle) for our conversation is in Heaven. Follow the forwardest Christians with a desire to overtake them. His speech savored more of wit then grace, who counselled his friend not to come too nigh unto truth, lest his teeth should be beaten out with its heels. Dwell upon the Exemplarie Lives of these transcendent Saints, till you be changed into the same image; Their love to Christ, his truth and people should enlarge your hearts: Their zeal should enflame you. Their magnanimity should encourage you. Their humility should abase you. Their patience should calm you. Their labors should quicken your diligence. Their temperance should moderate you in the use of all sensual contentments. Their confidence should confirm your fiducial dependance upon Gospel-promises. Their contempt of the World should call you off yet farther from all empty sublunaries. Their high estimation of the holy Scriptures should heighten your reverent respect of them.Virtutes sanctorum sunt quasi testimonia, quae nos confirment, ut Illis vel ducibus vel sociis freti, alacrius ad Deum pergamus. Cal▪ in Heb. 1 2. 1. Their many assaults from Satan and sufferings from men, in estate, liberty, credit, and body, should embolden and arm you in evil times. Their experiences of support under grievances, of supplies in necessaries, of comfort in crosses, of deliverance in streights, of success in services, and of triumphing perseverance, notwithstanding all oppositions from within and from without, should hold up your faint hopes, unweariedly to wait for the full accomplishment of all the pretious promises of Covenant-grace in Jesus Christ.
4. Confine not your desires, designs, endeavors, to any degree of Spiritual goodness attained by the fairest Saint on this side Heaven. For no example (Christ's onelyonly excepted) did ever reach that rule, according to which we are always obliged to order our hearts and lives. A man may fully fall in with the forwardest follower of Jesus Christ, and yet fall far short of conformity to Gods commandements. That blessed Apostle who propounds himself a pattern for imitation, having his conversation in Heaven, yet he speaks thus of himself, Not as though I was already perfect. And that beloved Disciple John tels us, that Every one who hath a well-grounded,1. Ioh. 3. 3. lively hope of heaven, purgeth himself, as Christ is pure.
If according to this counsel, with these directions, you shall improve the manifold pretious examples, which are here presented unto your perusal, then shall you have good cause to bless Almighty God for bringing this book unto your hands. The godly and Reverend Author, our antient friend and Fellow-Pupil with one of us (under the tuition of Master Thoms Hooker in Emanuel Colledge,S. Ash who for his eminent abilities, and glorious services, both in this and in the other England, deserves a place in the first rank of them who are here recorded) hath in this collection imitated the Lord, who hath a book of Remembrance, wherein he Registers the gratious speeches and actions of his zealous servants in cvil times.Mal. 3. 16. Hereby also he is instrumental in the accomplishment of Gods promise, who hath said,Psal. 112. 6. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. An instance whereof the Apostle gives in Abel (the proto-Martyr) who, for his faith and righteousness, is yet spoken off (as some render the phrase) though long since dead.Heb. 11. 4.
That which the Apostle affirms, upon the reveiw of his Catalogue of believers, recorded in the eleventh Chapter of his Epistle to the Hebrews, I may apply to this Book; We are compassed about with a clowd of witnesses: for which way can we look, or to what condition and concernment of life can we turn our selves, wherein some Example propounded in this book, will not aptly suit with our estates for guidance, comfort, encouragement?Heb. 12. 1.
And although the labor of our Author, hath been in this collection very great, yet he resolves (if God give life and health) to add a second part unto this now published: wherein, if any one will be pleased to furnish him, with full and faithful relations, of the godly life and death of any their Christian friends (whether Ministers or others) who have been eminent in their days, their Names may hereby be perpetuated unto the service of posterity.
Here we might have given in a true, though short Character of some pretious servants and messengers of Christ, whose graces were admired whilst they lived, and whose mem…ry their surviving friends do much honor: viz. Doctor Preston, Most of whose lives are since published by the Author.Sibs, Tailor, Stoughton, &c. Mr. Rogers, Stock, Culverwel, Pemble, &c. As also Mr. Hildersham, Dod, Pierson, Herring, Ball, Nicols, Hind, and Rathband, who for their Christian graces, and Ministerial abilities, for their services and sufferings, do deserve an honourable memorial in the Church of Christ: The later of these (though they lived and dyed Non-conformists) yet they always kept a due distance from Brownistical separation, and were zealously affected towards the Presbyterial Government of the Church, as the works of some of them do sufficiently witness.
Through Gods grace, their judgments were never tainted with the noisom Errors of these declining times, neither were their lives stained with any such scandals, for which too many who pretend to an higher pitch of purity and Saintship, are justly reproached. But now we will not discourse any further of them, because we hope that the next part of this book (which before we intimated) may bring to light the excellencies of some of them (at least) which call for remembrance and imitation.
And now (Christian Reader!) craving pardon for our tediosness, whereby thou hast been thus long detained out of this pleasant Garden, we desire that Gods direction and blessing may accompany thy passage through it: that whilst thou seest thy self surrounded with sweet and fragrant flowers, thou mayst adore the inexhaust fulness of Jesus Christ, from whom all graces and consolations do continually flow. And because an inward supernatural principle is necessary to the right improvement of such helps, (as the Bee by an innate quality, which other creatures want, maketh Honey out of Flowers) we commend thee to the God of all Grace, that by the abilities of his spirit, thou mayst be abundantly benefited in spiritual respects, by thy serious survaying of this useful book.
London, Decemb. 7th. 1649. Thine, in the service of Jesus Christ SIMEON ASH. JOHN WALL.