The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Author to the reader – Encomium 7
THE AVTHORS EPISTLE TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
Christian Reader!
THE holy Apostle tels us,Ephes 4. 11, &c. that when Christ ascended on high, he gave gifts unto men, some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, some Pastors and Teachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come into the uaity of the Faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: The accomplishment hereof will in part appear by these Examples following, wherein we shall see how the Lord Jesus Christ hath in all Ages raised up, and sent Pastors after his own heart for the ends before mentioned: and because that old subtile Serpent the Divel knows, that the chiefest way to hinder the success of the Ministry is to breed in mens hearts an undervaluing, and disesteem of the Ministers; therefore we may take notice what titles Christ Jesus in the New Testament is pleased to honor them withall; He calls them Angels: 2 Rev. 1. 8, 12, 18, &c. Stars: 1 Rev. ult. Ambassadors of Christ: 2 Cor. 5. 20. Builders: 1 Cor. 3. 10. Gods Stewards: Tit. 1. 7. Lights of the World. Matth. 5. 14. The Glory of Christ: 2 Cor. 8. 23. Nurses: 1 Thes. 2. 7. Spiritual Fathers: 1 Cor. 4. 15. And such as stand in Christs stead: 2 Cor. 5. 20. And such indeed have most of these Worthies been, whose Lives are recorded in this Book: Yet least any should run into the contrary extreme, and judge of them above that which is meet, the Scriptures tell us also, that they are earthen vessels, 2 Cor. 4. 7. and men subject to the like passions with others: James 5. 17. Acts 14. 15. This you shall finde evidenced in the Narratives of some of these Lives, who, though they were men of God, yet were they sons of Adam also; and I could have given you in a Catalogue of the Naevi, and blemishes of the Antient Fathers, as well as of the Modern Divines, that so we might be convinced that our faith ought not to stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God: But most men are too apt to espie motes upon a black coate, and therefore I forbear them.
What excellent use may be made of these Lives will appear if we consider, First, the Divine and comfortable speeches which have proceeded from these holy men of God, worthy to be written in letters of Gold, and to be engraven, not upon the Tables of stone, but upon the fleshly Table of our hearts.
Secondly, the industry, diligence, and faithfulness which they shewed in their general and particular callings, worthy our best imitation.
Thirdly, their behaviour and deportment in times of persecution, and how ready the Lord was to support, encourage, and strengthen them therein, which may help our faith and dependance upon God in the like times, and upon the like occasions.
Fourthly, their zeal, patience, and perseverance in the truth, not loving their lives unto the death, Rev. 12. 11.so they might fulfil their Ministry with joy; which should teach us to be followers of them, Heb. 6. 12.who through Faith and Patience do now inherit the promises.
What benefit this collection of mine may afford to the learned, and to Ministers, I leave it to their own prudence who can best judge of it: Yet thus much I dare say, that here they shall finde gathered into one book those things which before lay scattered in many: Here they shall see in what Centuries, Ages, and places the famousest lights of the Church, both Antient and Modern, have flourished.
Here they shall have contracted into one little volume the substance of that, which if it had been translated, or transcribed according to the Originals, would have filled many such books as this and yet (as I suppose) nothing of worth or weight omitted.
And if together with this, they shall please to make use of my two Martyrologies, and my Mirror, Now much enlarged.or Looking-glass both for Saints and Sinners, I presume they may be stored with examples, almost for every subject which they shall preach upon: and how grateful and useful to the Auditors such examples are, I conceive none can be ignorant.
But to conclude, I hope (through Gods blessing) these my weak and unworthy endeavors will prove seasonable and sutable to the times; pleasant and profitable to the Readers, and some way or other instrumental to Gods glory, which is the serious and earnest desire of
Thy unfeigned friend to serve thee, SAMUEL CLARK. From my study in Threed-needle-street, Decemb 10. 1649.
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Thomas Dugard. A. M. Rector Barfordiae.
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Idem.
To his Reverend Friend Mr. Samuel Clark.
Samuel Clark ANAGRAM
A Cull-markes: Or,
Cull's a marke.
FAlse Lights to Error now our Souls betray;
Thou art a Cull-markes to direct our way.
From White of Truth we rove as in the dark,
Thy Book's our Marks-man, and Cull's out A Mark.
We sail in troublous Seas midst rocks and shelves,
Thou set'st up Sea-marks least we lose our selves:
Mercurial Statues here rais'd out of clay,
Whose Faith, Zeal, Patience guide us heavens way:
Thy Life, Name, Works so well in one agree,
I wish me follower of these LIVES with thee.
Jo. Fuller, Minister of Gods Word at Botolphs-Bishops-gate.
Others by the same.
STorie's a Light of time for after Ages,
This Book's a Lanthorn which this Light incage's:
No fatal Comet's here with fear to dread us,
But Pole-stars all from Christ to Christ to lead us.
And should the witnesses not yet be slain,
Thou mak'st us see they may be rais'd again.
If Teachers be as Stars, then sure thy Book
Doth as an Heavenly Constellation look:
If they be seasoning salt, this Book of thine
May well be nam'd a Rich Salt Peter-Mine.
If Watchmen, Witnesses, he's not misled
Calls it a Mizpah and a Galeed.Gen. 31. 47, 49.
A Sacred Sampler drawn to th' life in Storie,
Legend of Saints, indeed a Directorie.
And whilst that some snuff out Lights of our Age,
Thou trim'st, and set'st such here in equipage:
Spirits once rais'd, imploy'd not, vanish soon,
When these LIVES guide us, then thy Book is done.
Joh. Fuller.
To my Reverend and learned friend, upon his Book called The LIVES, &c.
LIke Jacob's Rods thy LIVES thou laist in view;
His Rods were pill'd, thy LIVES are pickt; their hew
(Reader) is thy Exemplar; Look on, Love,
Buy, Read, yea Live their LIVES, and then twill prove
That when you have enquir'd what bargain's best,
A purchase made for LIVES is gainfullest:
Could but one Life be bought, who would not trade?
Who buys thy Book, buyes many Lives: I'le wade
One step more in thy praise; How th' Faces fit
I judge not, sure thy LIVES to th' Life are writ.
Guilielm. Ienkyn, Ecclesiae Christi apud Londinenses Pastor.
VponUpon the Book of the LIVES of the FATHERS, &c. Made by the Reverend, his dear Father Mr. Samuel Clark.
LO here the quintessence of more
Then Croesus ever saw before.
Gold, Silver, Diamonds, these are,
Compar'd to this, not half so rare,
Contracted worth! much in a little space:
'Tis Homer's Iliads in a Nut-shel case.
Rare Chymistrie! how could you make
So pure Elixar? did you take
These Worthies ashes so Divine,
As matter fit for your design?
Such Sacred Reliques, whereso 'ere enshrin'd,
Make the Vrn pretious to a pious minde.
Of several Stars our Sophies say,
Vnited's made the Milkie-way:
The Ignes fatui cannot be
Exalted to such dignitie.
No wandring Stars are here. These fixed are;
A Constellation in heaven's highest Sphere.
Then sure this Book, if read, will please;
Who will not choose to be with these
Deceased Heroes? this bliss
To th' Reader here imparted is.
Here's many Saints; one Book: thus Schools do tell
Ten thousand Angels in one point may dwell.
Sam. Clark, A. M. Aul. Pembr. Soc.
To his Reverend and much honored Father, Mr. Samuel Clark, concerning his Book called The LIVES, &c.
HOW! LIVES! They're dead. No: death they did evade
By their good Lives, which them immortal made.
Death could not take their Lives away, you finde
He took their bodies, left their Lives behinde;
Which here assembled shew themselves so well,
As though they strove each other to excell.
'Tis a choise Synod, O! who would not be
Present, their Acts, and Orders for to see!
Like Cyrus Court with good men 'tis so stor'd,
That wink and choose, it will good choice afford.
Then since good LIVES are in this Book so rife,
I make no doubt to call't a Book of Life.
Jo. Clark Fellow of Pemb. Hall, Camb.