A Mirror both for Saints and Sinners, Title page – To the reader
A MIRROUR OR Looking-Glasse BOTH For Saints, and Sinners, Held forth in about two thousand Examples: Wherein is presented, as Gods wonderful Mercies to the one; so his severe Judgments against the other.
Collected out of the most Classique Authors both Ancient, and Modern, with some late Examples observed by my self.
Whereunto are added, the Wonders of God in Nature; and the Rare, Stupendious, and Costly Works made by the Art, and Industry of Man. As the most famous Cities, Structures, Statues, Cabinets of Rarities, &c. which have been, or are in the WORLD.
By Sa. Clark, Pastor in Bennet Fink, London.
The second Edition much enlarged.
Sancti sunt honorandi propter imitationem.
August.
London, Printed for Tho. Newberry, and are to be sold at his Shop at the three Golden Lions in Corn-hill by the Royal-Exchange. 1654.
TO His dearly beloved Friends, and Neighbours, Members of the Church of Christ that meet in Bennet Fink, London.
Dearly beloved Friends,
I Have much desired, and longed for an opportunity to expresse, and make known my gratefull heart unto you, for those many favours, and expressions of love which I have received from you: For whereas by reason of the iniquities of the times, and the cruelty of the common enemy, I was banished from my home, and that station wherein the Lord had seated mee with much comfort, it pleased God to direct your hearts to make choyse of mee for your Minister; and since that time (being now eleven years) I have never found your affections cooled, but rather more, and more inflamed and increased towards mee: No small mercy in these giddy, and unstable times! and as a reall demonstration thereof, you have been very solicitous to provide for my comfortable subsistence amongst you, wherein I may use the Apostles expression, 2 Cor. 8. 3. That to your power, yea I bear record, beyond your power, you have been willing: But that which especially hath ministred most comfort unto mee, is your professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ, evidenced remarkably in this particular, which I desire to speak of to Gods glory, your credit, and that your zeal may provoke others. I never had occasion to move you in any just and honest businesse, whether of publique or private concernment, wherein I have not found your readinesse, and forwardnesse to concur with, and answer my expectation: My hearts desire, and earnest prayer to God for you is, that you may yet abound more and more in every good word, and work, that so fighting the good fight of faith, you may finish your course with joy: For which end I beseech you in the bowels of Jesus Christ, that you mark them which would cause divisions, and offences among you, contrary to the Doctrine which yee have learned, and avoid them: For many false Prophets are gone out into the world in Sheeps clothing, which yet inwardly are ravening Wolves, begu…ling unstable soules, who like little children are carried about with every wind of Doctrine. Ye therefore, Beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the errour of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastnesse, 2 Pet. 3. 17. And the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Jesus Christ, after that yee have suffered a while, make you perfect, strengthen, and settle you: which shall ever be the hearty prayer, and earnest endeavour of him who is
Devoted to the service of your Faith, Sa. Clark.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
Christian Reader,
THis Book which I now present unto thee is the fruit of my spare houres, it having been my recreation for these many years to read the best Histories which I could meet with: and for the help of my memory, I have collected the eminentest, and most remarkable examples which did occur, and reduced them under several heads distinguished into▪severall Chapters: which I have found very useful, profitable, and pleasing unto me, and presuming that they may be so to others also; I have now this second time published them to the world, that so they which neither have money to buy, nor leisure to read many Volumes, may find in this little Epitome the choisest, and chiefest things that are contained in them: I have also sometimes set down more pleasant stories, which may have their use, and prevent tediousnesse to the Reader, though in such great variety of History, I suppose there is no great danger of nauseousnesse. But besides what I have collected out of the Authours themselves, I have met with many examples in several Treatises, and Sermons which have been lately published; but what I have borrowed from them I hope I shall repay with interest by this insuing Collection. I have also inserted some memorable examples from my own observation, which were never before in Print: I presume that it will be superfluous for me to tell thee, what great benefit thou mayst reap by acquainting thy self with these Examples: Dost thou live in places of danger, and times of persecution? here thou mayest see how powerful, and merciful the Lord is in supporting, or delivering his people in such times. Doest thou see the enemies of Gods Church to thrive, and pro…per in their malice, and cruelty? here thou mayest see what the end of them is like to be, if they speedily repent not. Would'st thou see the amiablenesse, and desireablenesse of vertues, and Graces? here thou mayst see it held forth unto thee in excellent Mirrours, or Looking-Glasses. Wouldest thou behold the uglinesse, and danger of great, and horrid sins? Behold here Examples of the severity of Gods Judgments against them. Would'st thou find out, and propose some choyce Patterns, and Presidents for thine imitation? Here thou shalt find store, and variety of them. These, with divers other uses, and benefits may be made of these examples, which I freely impart to thee, with prayer for Gods blessing upon thee, and them, and desiring the like courtesie at thy hands, I rest,
Thine in the Lord, Sa. Clark. From my Study in Thridneedle-street this 1. of April. 1654.