A Cloud of Witnesses, To the reader 3
A brief account of what may be expected in this Collection by a friend to the Author.
READER,
IT is a comfort Thetis gives her brave Son in Homer, that though he should be short liv'd, yet he should continue himself in the admiration of posterity. Though these blessed Martyrs, and Saints departed sought not glory to themselves, yet they all obtained a good report, and their memory is blessed, whilst the memory of the wicked rots, or which is far worse) stinks. I grant many of them went in a siery Chariot to Heaven; yet those Mantles that fell from them may, through the concurs of God, so spirit oth…rs, that they may do worthily in Ephrat…, though they never arrive to the glory of the …irst Worthies. I d…ubt not but many of them might, by their staying l…nger in their houses of Booths, have been very beneficial to the World; yet Sampson's violent death was not without profit to the Church of God in pulling down the House of the Philistines: And therefore I cannot but commend the Essay, and elaborate Collections of this Author, in reviving the Memories of these Ancient Christians.
It was well observed by Sir Francis Bacon, That old Wood is best to burn, and old Friends best to trust, and old Books best to read. Hence Scholars set a great price upon an ancient Manuscript. Here are old things, men of ancient dayes, and old Books in a new Edition, for thy benefit.
Here you will not find the fault, that Historians are commonly guilty of, who, like flattering Limners, draw too favourably, or shadow over a wrinckle, and slily forge in some secret grace: Here is an honest Pen modestly, but yet faithfully giving thee an account of Believers, who through much faith, patience, and tribulation entred into the King…ome of Heaven.
Here are worthy Patterns for you to follow; glorious Copies for you, who are but Beginners in the World, to write after. They all call upon you so to follow them, as they followed Christ. Here is a Cloud of Witnesses, which if you have (with Iesus) in your eye, you will be the better prepared to lay aside every weight, and to run with patience the race that is set before you.
Man is led by nothing better then by example; and examples of great Ones are most effectual: Such are these. I know abundantly how this lazy formal Age is ready to look on Scripture-Worthies, as men unimitable; as Giants, to whose stature they despair ever to arrive: But h…re you may be tolled on in your active and passive obedience, as lazy Travellers will h…ld out with good Company, which beat the Path before them: Here is no excuse left of frailty, which we are ready to make against obedience; for th…se presidents in all Ages abudantly testifie, that we frail men, by the power of the same grace of God, may reach to the same perfections. We are too apt in these dayes to think our selves good enough, if we find any worse then our selves; but we should not content our selves to run with the Foot-men, but to excell the best.
I have of late thought it a very high way to growth and perfection, to collect some of the choicest frames of the best Christians, and alwayes set them before us: Blessed be the Lord, this is done to thy hand; and mayest thou reap the advantage of this labour.
Here thou mayest read thy defects in these holy mens excesses, and amend thy self without any diminution to their glory. Here thou mayest receive light from that which dazleth thee, and lustre from that which (at present) ecclipseth thee. When thou considerest what a dastardly, cowardly Spirit is within thee, what an Enemy of the Cross of Christ thou art, here is that which will promote thy shame, that these (under the dawnings of Gospel-glory and grace) should be as bold as Lions, whil…t thou art as timerous as an Hare. How do we shrink and tremble, whilst these were as Rocks in the midst of the Floods, standing unmoveable when the Winds blew, and the Seas made a noise.
I heartily wish that the dew of Heaven may fall upon these holy Reliques, that such a Spirit may attend the Reader as did these, when called before Kings and Rulers for the Name of Christ.
I heartily wish that these experiments of Gods presence with his suffering and witnessing Saints, may help thee to trust in God. I kn…w you ought to trust God upon his single Bond, without a Pawn or Pledge of his Power and Faithfulness; but certainly Faith is wonderfully holpen by former experiences in all Ages: and therefore let this Epitome of the Bo…k of Martyrs (as to the Martyrs sayings) strengthen thy confidence, and make thee r…ly on God, as a constant tried Friend. Th…se are all great instanc…s, that God is seen in the Mount; that he hath good will to the flaming Bush; that he is willing to accompany the Church in the fiery Furnace. Say after the perusal of this Manual, I dare trust in God in the greatest difficulties; I will take no th…ught what to answer to the Sons of men, but will believe it shall be given in that hour; I will cast all my care on him; I will assure my self, that as my tribulations do, so my consolations shall, abound; he hath been others help, therefore under the shadow of his wings will I rejoyce; They that know thy Name, Ps. 9.10.will put their trust in thee; for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee; Psal. 22.4, 5.Our Fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them: they cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. Here you have Gods former dealings with, and appearings for his suffering Saints to publish to thee and me, what his future behaviour will be. What David said of the tried sword, we may of God much rather,Psal. 77.5, 10. There is none like it. I have considered the dayes of old, the years of ancient times. I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
Moreover in these Gleanings thou wilt see the excellency of Christ, and the high advantages of Faith, in that the Lord Christ is worthy, for whose sake all is to be parted from. Here is the Lord Iesus rated and valued above all the comforts, contentments, and happiness of both the worlds: not that these were of a Stoical Apathy, or prodigal of their blood and lives; onelyonly Christ was the first Figure, and all the world but empty Ciphers without him. The estimate which their souls set on Christ, did infinitely exceed the rate, which they s… on any thing else: all was but dross and dung, this is the voice of all these Saints …arted, Christ is not valued at all, if he be not valued above all.
What shall I say more?
Here you may see somewhat to shoar up the dejected Christians, who may be too much discouraged at the low condition of Gods Church: upon reading here sad Melancthon may be contente… to let God continue the reins of Government in his own hands; and we may, when even sinking, lea… of Austin; Let the world (said he) sink or swim, be ruined or prosper, I will bless the Lord that made the world.
Here you may (in short) see the Cavils against the Cross, blown off to your hand: the objections against the Truth abundantly silenced. Here you will meet with seasonable Cautions against unscriptural Compliances. Here cases of the present Age are briefly debated and cleared: and here you may have a Directory how to keep your Consciences inoffensive towards God, towards the Saints, and towards them that are without.
But (Reader) I will not detain thee from enjoying the labours of my Friend. The Lord bless them to thee and me. See that thou refuse not him that speaketh from Heaven, nor these, whose blood (like their Masters) cries against their enemies for vengeance; but calls aloud to you to stand fast in the Faith once delivered, and to consider the end of their Warfare: which that thou mayest, is heartily desired by
A Cordial Friend to all the Friends of Christ, S.L.