Safety in the Midst of Danger, Title page – Dedication
SAFETY IN THE MIDST OF DANGER.
A SERMON Preached in the Church of Alhallowes Barkin, Jan. 4. 1655.
Upon the Anniversary Commemoration of that dismall Fire which happened in the said Parish, on Jan: 4. 1649.
By NATH: HARDY Minister of the Parish of Saint Dionis Back-Church.
Sedul. Carm. lib. 1:
Ignibus innocuis flagrans apparuit olim
Non ardens ardere rubus, nec juncta calori
Materies alimenta dabat, nec torrida virens
Sensit damna frutex, sed amici fomitis aestu.
Frondea blanditae lambebant robora flammae.
LONDON, Printed by J. G. for John Clark, and are to be sold at his Shop under St. Peters Church in Cornhill. 1656.
To the VVorshipful
Henry Hunter, Esq.
Mr. James Man, Merchant.
Mr. AbrahamPerret, Gent.
Mr. John Wood;Merchant.
Mr. Thomas Salmon.
Mr.Henry Marchant, and
Mr. Samuell Burrell, Gent.
Worthy Friends,
IT is the Psalmists assertion concerning God, Psal. 111. 4.He hath made his wonderfull workes to be remembred, Ainsw. ibid.or (as Ainsworth tracing the footsteps of the Originall more closely, readeth it) He hath made a memoriall of his marvellous workes. Indeed as God expects that men should, so (knowing our dulnesse) he hath taken care himselfe that the remarkable dispensations of his providence shall not be forgotten.
Divine workes are of two sorts, either blazing Comets, or shining Starres, blustring Stormes, or gentle Showers, wofull Desolations▪ or mercifull Preservations. Those are acts of Justice, these of Mercy, both of Power, and God hath made memorialls of both.
That his exemplary justice on seditious Corah and his complices might be perpetually remembred, Num. 16. 38.he commands their Censers to be made broad plates for a covering of the Altar, (for so it followeth) and they shall be a signe (to wit, rememorative, and thereby commonitory) to the children of Israel.
That his eminent Mercy to the Israelites in the Wildernesse, page missinghem 9. 15.when raining bread out of Heaven, he give them (to use the Psalmists language) Angells food,Psal. 78. 15. might be recorded to posterity. Moses (as the Lord commanded) bid Aaron take a pot,page missingxod. 16. 33. and put an Omer full of Manna therein, and lay it up before the Lord (for so the reason is expressed in the next words) to be kept for their Generations.
This extraordinary event which happened, was doubtlesse a speciall effect of Providence, and that such as was mingled with severity and clemency, severity to them who were consumed in, clemency to you (my Honoured friends) and the rest who were delivered from, or snatched out of the flames. And surely your Anniversary Commemoration of so notable a worke, deserveth singular commendation, that being thankfulnesse indeed which consults for renewed prayses, by repeated memorialls.
In pursuance of this pious designe, I conceive it is, you have desired this Sermon to be made publique, that being (according to Gods command concerning Israels deliverance,Exod. 17. 11. and Amelek's discomfiture) written (yea Printed) in a Book, Time (which is so great a devourer) might not consume the memory of this consumption. And Printing (which is so faithfull a Register) might preserve the memoriall of this preservation.
In order to this end, I have concurred with your desires, and caused this imperfect piece to see the light. Commending it to Gods benediction, You and yours to his protection, I subscribe my self, as your many favours oblige me,
Your faithfull Servant NATH: HARDY.