A True and Full Narrative of Two Deliverances, Dedication
A True and Full Narrative OF Those two never to be forgotten DELIVERANCES: One From The Spanish Invasion in 88. The other from The Hellish Powder Plot: November 5. 1605. Whereunto is added The like Narrative of that signal Judgment of God upon the Papists, by the Fall of the House in Black-Friers London, upon their fifth of November, 1623.
Collected for the Information and Benefit of each Family, by Sam, Clark, formerly Pastor in Bennet Fink.
Behold the wicked travelleth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falshood.
He made a Pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.
Psal. 7.14, 15, 16.
London, Printed for J. Hancock, and are to be sold at the three Bibles, being the first Shop in Popes-Head Alley, next to Cornhill. 1671
TO THE HONOURABLE And His much Honoured Friends EDWARD RVSSEL, Esq Son to the Right Honourable FRANCIS Earl of BEDFORD. AND TO The Lady PENELOPE, His prudent and pious Consort.
SIR, MADAM,
I Take the boldness to present you with these Narratives, not for that they are new, or supposing your selves to be strangers to them: but as a Testimony of my Gratitude for these favours I have received from you: The high Heavens may be seen in the lowest valleys: So may a large heart in the least Gift. But truly though the Gift be worthless, yet so is not the matter contained in it, which sets forth such eminent and signal deliverances as no Church or people in these latter Ages of the world have received; And there must be a recognition of Gods mercies, or else there will neither follow estimation, nor retribution: Hence Micah 6.5. O my people (saith God many hundreds of years after) remember now what Balack King of Moah consulted, and what Balaam the Son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. If there be not such a recognition of former deliverances, we that should be as Temples of his praise, shall be as graves of his benefits. Our souls indeed are too like filthy Ponds, wherein fish die soon, and frogs live long: Rotten stuff is remembred, memorable mercies are forgotten; whereas the soul should be as an holy Ark; the memory as the pot of Manna, preserving holy truths and special mercies; as Aarons Rod, fresh and flourishing. Oh! let us imitate that man after Gods own heart! If the Lord will be Davids shepherd, he will dwel in Gods house to all perpetuity, Psalm. 23.1, 6. If God deal bountifully with him, he will sit down and bethink himself what to render for all his benefits, Psalm 116.7, 12. A Christian counts all that he can do for God by way of retribution, but a little of that much he could beteem him; and thinks nothing more unbeseeming him than to bury the mercies of God in oblivion. His two mites of Thankfulness and Obedience he dayly presents, and then cryes out as that poor Grecian did to the Emperour, If I had a better present thou shouldest be sure of it.
What then may we judge of those persons in our daies, who labour to extenuate, yea annihilate these deliverances? that would have no publick commemorations of them, that study how to invalidate them, and to blot out the remembrance of them? To render good for evil is Divine: Good for good is Humane: Evil for evil is brutish: But evil for good is Devillish. Yet alas! how ordinary an evil is this among us, to abuse our deliverances to Gods' dishonour? But Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people, and unwise? Is not he thy Father? he hath bought thee, &c. Deut. 32.6. Should we not remember that good turns aggravate unkindnesses, and our offences are not a little encreased by our obligations? Ingrateful persons are like the Snake in the Fable, who said to the Country-man when he had shewed it kindness: Summum praemium pro summo beneficio est ingratitudo. Ingratitude is the greatest reward of the greatest benefit.
How many such Snakes have we amongst us, that return evil for good, and unkindness for kindness? Is not this to fight against God, with his own weapons? as David did against Goliah: as Jehu did against Jehoram: and as Benhadad did against Ahab, with that life that he had lately given him? for the preventing whereof (if it may be) are these things published, being almost worn out of remembrance more than the very names of them. Besides, though they may be found in larger volumes, yet are they not so fit for every Family: And as I have presumed (honourable and beloved) to publish them udder your protection, so I doubt not but they will find the better entertainment for the same. My earnest desire and prayer for you is that the God of Peace will fill you with all joy and peace by believing, multiplying his Blessings upon you and yours: And that you would afford me a room in your Albe among those that
Sir, Madam, Love, honour and serve you. Sam. Clark. From my Study in Thridneedle Street, Octob. 22. 1657.