The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2, Title page 1 – Table of contents 1

The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History Part 2 · Title page 1 – Table of contents 1

THE SECOND PART OF THE MARROW OF Ecclesiastical History: CONTAINING The lives of many Eminent Christians, which have lived since the Primitive times to this present Age, Divided into two Books: Whereof the First contains the Lives of Christian Emperors, Kings, and Soveraign Princes: The Second contains the lives of Christians of an Inferiour Rank.

BOOK. I.

By Samuel Clark, Pastor of Bennet Fink, London.

Isa. 49. 23. Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers, and their Queens, thy nursing Mothers.

Isa. 60. 16. And thou shalt suck the breast of Kings.

Praecepta docent, exempla trahunt.

LONDON, Printed for Robert White, and William Wilson, 1650.

Aetatis Suae 50^o Octob▪ 10: 1649

All that thou sees't and readest is Divine:

Learning thus vs'd is water turn'd to wine:

Well may wee then despaire to draw his minde,

View heere the case; i'th Booke the Jewell finde.

… V. A. M. fecit

TO The Right HONORABLE, ROBERT, EARL of VVarwick, Baron Rich of Leeze.

Right Honorable,

IT is now above twenty years since I was chosen Lecturer in Warwick, at which time meeting with some opposition, your Lordship was pleased so far to own me, as to make me your Chaplain, and to write your Letter in my behalf, whereby you repressed the heat of my adversary, and procured my peace; since which time I have wanted opportunity to testifie to the world my gratitude for so noble a favour, but being now about to publish the lives of Princes, and Nobles, who were eminent for Piety, and Bulwarks to the Church, especially to godly Ministers, against the rage of Satan, and his instruments; I could find no fitter person to dedicate it unto, then your Lordship, who hath always been a Pattern of Piety, and a Patron to the professors of it: I am sure the whole Kingdom can testifie your godly care to present able Ministers to those places which God hath made you the disposer of: Your exemplary frequenting of Lectures, hath been a great encouragement both to Preachers, and people: Your house hath been always open for the entertainment of Gods Ambassadors, even in the worst of times; and you are not yet ashamed to own them, 1 Cor 4. 13.1 Cor 4:13when they are accounted as the filth of the world, and the off-scouring of all things, and the greatest troublers of the Land: when they are for signs and wonders, and that in Israel: I need Isa. 8. 18.Isa 8:18not mention your faithfulness, your courage, your zeal for the good both of the King and Kingdom, in the middest of our late confusions: they are sufficiently known to all, and I presume that some which are now your adversaries will acknowledge, that your interest both at Sea and Land was a great means to preserve us from being swallowed up by the common adversary: and though your Lordship be now laid aside like a broken Vessel, in these daies wherein God hath stained the pride of all glory, and brought into contempt all the honorable of the Isa. 23. 9.Isa 23:9Land; Yet I doubt not but God will remember your labor of love, and all the good which you have done for his house, and that it shall add to your account in the great day of the Lord.Phil. 4. 17.Phil 4:17

Go on therefore (Right Honorable) still to enoble your Name, and Family, by laying out your self for Iesus Christ: a godly fruitfull life, having a fairer prospect towards honor, then all the advantages in the world besides. There is (saith one) a Pihl. 4. 17.Divine and supernaturall Nobility, where God is the top of the kin, and Religion is the Root, in regard of which all other Nobility is but a shadow.

To be entituled unto this, I presume is your Lordships care, and to have your name found in the Book of Life, is the heighth of your ambition; and to be able to read it there, will be the foundation of all your comfort: Hereby your Lordship shall have sweet peace in the most troublesome times; for whilest the frame of the the Spirit in the ambitious, voluptuous, and riotous person, is like the lower part of the Elementary Region, full of unquietness, because the seat of Winds, tempests, and earthquakes: The believers soul, on the contrary, is like that part towards Heaven, which is always peaceable, and ever enjoys true rest, and joy.

Many examples hereof your Lordship may find collected together in this Book, which I hope will not prove useless, nor fruitless in the reading: Examples are of a very attractive nature, and whilest we read and consider what Gods Worthies have formerly by Gods grace been enabled to do, and suffer for him, and his cause, we may have our faith and hope strengthned, by relying upon him for the like assistance in all the various changes which do befall us in this our Earthly Pilgrimage: For, as though an heavy burthen be laid upon a whole shoulder, yet it goes away with it well enough: So if the Soul and Spirit be sound, and God enables a man to bear it, diseases, disgraces, imprisonment, banishment, &c. are easily born.

The Lord in mercy preserve, and protract your Lordships life, still to be a refuge to the afflicted, an honor to your Country, a Patron to the Faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ: and so fill you with all grace, and goodness here, that you may be filled with glory, and immortality hereafter, which is the daily prayer of

My Lord, Your Lordships humble servant, and Orator at the throne of Grace, SA. CLARK. From my Study in Thredneedle-street, July 15. 1650.

The Epistle to the READER.

Christian Reader,

WHen I published my last Book of the Lives of Eminent Divines, both Ancient and Modern, my intentions were (as is hinted in one of the Epistles) to have seconded it with the Lives of such worthy Divines us have lived lately in this Kingdom; but finding that my Intelligence comes but slouly in, I have in the mean time sent abroad this Second Part, containing the Lives of such Christians as were famous in their Generations, some for doing, others for suffering much in the Cause of Christ: And indeed such examples cannot but be very seasonable in these last, and worst of times, wherein the life of Religion, and power of Godlin…ss is so much decayed amongst the Professors of it: For as we deceive children, by taking away Gold and Silver, and giving them Counters to quiet them: So Satan quiets the consciences of many with bare forms of piety, who are not able, or willing to distinguish between pretious Duties, and the right performance of them, and formall and empty services; whereas these Worthies were such inwardly, as they desired to appear outwardly, and having their hearts heat with fire from heaven, were stedfast and unmoveable, 1 Cor. 15. 58.1 Cor 15:58alwayes abounding in the Work of Lord, knowing that their labour was not in vain in the Lord: And whereas many amongst us turn Conscience into Questions, and Controversies, so that whilst they are resolving what to do, they do just nothing: These on the contrary did not reason, but run: Did not (with Aesops Dog) catch at the shadow, and lose the God loves Curristas, not Quaristas. Luther. Jude 3. 2 Pet. 3. 17.Jude 1:32 Pet 3:17substance, but contending earnestly for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints; they were not led aside by the error of the wicked, nor fell from their own stedfastness: And whereas now adayes many that pretend much to piety, make it their great design to decry, and vilifie the true, and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ: These on the contrarie, loved, reverenced, honored, and imbraced them, Going forth by the footsteps of the Cant 1. 8.Song 1:8flock, and feeding their Kids by the Shepherds Tents: They were such as came not to Christ, as to a Jesus, for room, and shelter, to keep them from the fire onelyonly, but as to a Christ, for Grace, and Government in his Service: Yet it cannot be denied but they had their failings; And some may say, Why did you not record them, as well as their Graces, and Vertues? To whom I answer no more then this, that severe censures of other mens faults, are like Crows that fasten onelyonly upon Carrion; or like the Horse-flie, that coming into a field of sweet flowers, yet if there be any dung, his eye, and scent is onelyonly to that, and upon that onelyonly will he light: whereas God on the contrary (and so should his children) spieth out, and severeth gold, though but a dram, from a mass of dross; and good grain, though but an handful, from an heap of chaff.

I intend not (God continuing my life, and liberty) to sit down here, but to make some further progress in writing the lives of others of Gods Worthies: Wherefore my request is to all such as can furnish me with materials for the continuance of the blessed Memorials of their deceased friends, and for the publike good, and utility of the Church, to send them in to me, who shall be willing to lay out my poor endeavors in such a way, wherein I may be most serviceable to God and his Church; and for my furtherance therein, I earnestly crave thy prayers, who am,

Thine, and the Churches SERVANT, SA. CLARK.

Heroës Rediuivi operâ venerandi viri, Magistri SAMUELIS CLARKI.

PLutarche cede: etsi majorum gentium

Et Scriptor aureus apud omnes audi…s.

Quas Ethnicorum à te conscriptas Ethnico

Volvi & revolvi cum voluptate intima,

Minoris at{que} dudum Vitas aestimo.

Nempe orto Sole parvi facio stellulam.

Surrexit alter, Christianorum Optimos

Et maximos qui Christianus optimè

Depinxit, at{que} Vitâ donavit novâ.

Quid interest Viro Vir! & Vitae simul

Quid Vita praestat! Magnum Magnus anteit

Immane quantum; certè quàm longissimè.

Orbis terrarum domitorem, sed non sui,Alexand. Magnum. Constant. Magnus.

Sibi imperans Constantinus, sicut suis,

Domini{que} sub vexillis Christi militans:

Perinde Primum Romanorum Caesarum

Augustus ille Gustavus, Christi Ensifer,Gustavus, per ana-grammatissimum Augustus.

Sequatium{que} Christi Vindex strenuus:

Nec non eorum, quos in Coelos evehit

Plutarchiana penna, laudatissimos,

Hic Clarkianus, quem nunc intueor▪ Chorus.

Non jam videre videor, video clariùs

Ipsos, quorum oculos jam pascunt Vitae meos.

Plutarche, tuum sic superat Clarki dextera,

Tu mortuos magni, non Redivivos, facis.

At ejus cuncti Heroes at{que} Heroides,

Qui superârunt vivi mortales coeteros,

En denuò superant, & aetheriâ (papae!)

Vescuntur aurâ. Quos jam suspiciam magis

An artem, quâ sunt tandem vitae redditi,

Divina quam sit illa, prorsus nescio.

Has Clarki Vitas comparate, quaesumus,

Has legite seduli & jugiter, has vivite,

Sceptris gerendis nati, & rebus arduis;

Alii{que} quibus longo censeri sanguine,

Et alios rerum copiâ supergredi,

Virûm{que} summos indigitari, contigit.

Ad hasce Vitas vestras ô componite.

Qui dignitate coeteros praecurritis,

Non & virtutibus anteire, sordidum est.

Magnates vos & Optimates dicimus,

Divorum & instar (ô quantus honos!) ducimus,

Et venerabundi magno sudamus opere

In deferendo cultu quis primas ferat.

Nè frustrà nos haec omnia, vos operam date.

Habete curae, res titulis respondeat.

Magnates esse rebus gestis maximos,

Et Optimates omnium longe optimos,

Etdivos habitos divos esse convenit.

Estis tum demum in Vivis, non Cadavera,

Quum Mortuis his redevivis sitis pares.

Venerande Clarke! qui pius Matri piae,

Huic Anglicanae, canae nunc Ecclesiae,Non dura sed pia Mater, Eeclesia Anglicana.

Eo{que} quicquid somnient cerebrosuli,

Magis colendae & propugnandae a Liberis,

Tam saepe donas Munera quàm gratissima;

Fragrantia primùm Serta, tum Speculum novum,

Dein Medullam, (ut grandaevo cibos patriSic vertit Leo Judae ut Jun. & Trem. cupedias.

Ʋter{que} gnatus delicatos obtulit.)

Et jam Medullam rursus: pergas impiger

De Matre sic mereri & fratribus tuis.

Qui pro Medulla tam dulci grates agunt

Quas possunt maximas, & plus efflagitant

Adhuc Medullae. Quod si votis annues,

(Spero annues) amabunt te Medullitus.

Nè taedio sim, in tale votum desinam.

Qui mortuorum ità nôris Vitas scribere,

Et vivos doceas sanctè vitam ducere,

Non voce solùm Praeco sed vitâ simul,

(Quodest Ministrûm Verbi divini omnium.)

Ʋt ipse vivas diuturnam hîc vitam, precor.

Thomas Dugardus, Art. Mar. Rector Barfordiae.

SAMUEL CLARK. Anagram. SU(c)K ALL CREAM. An Accrostick to the Reader of the labours of his Reverend Friend

F. P.

To the Author of this most sweet Book, Mr. Samuel Clark.

Anagram. AL CLEAR MUSK.

Your Book's a fragrant Nosegay; and excels:

For it of AL CLEAR MUSK most sweetly smels.

F. P.

VponUpon the pretious Labors of his Reverend Friend, Mr. SAMUEL CLARK.

TO things of greatest worth, to things most rare,

Would'st thou this Book of Hero's Lives compare?

Compare it as thou wilt; it will excell:

Thoul't hardly finde for it a parallel.

A Garden wilt thou call it? So thou maist:

In every life a thousand flowers thou hast,

None such (for sweetness) Tellus bosome yields,

In any Grove, or Mountain, Marsh, or Fields;

Both Rhodope, and Tempe's flowry plain;

Adonis Garden eke to this is vain.

For in this sacred Garden here doth grow

Such flowers as Art and Nature ne're could shew.

If thou this Book wilt call a fruitful tree,

Th' Hesperides the like could ever see.

The root, stock, branch, blossom, and fruit: All these

Excell the best tree of the Pheaces.

Our Ages scarce a parallel can shew,

None such can in Dame Natures Garden grow.

Now blest the man that gets this gracefull tree,

And of its blessed fruits partakes most free.

Or to a Spring wilt thou this Book compare?

Thou maist; for every line's a stream so rare,

So clear, so pure, so pleasant, and so sweet:

Blest are the thirsty souls that do them greet.

T' Apothecaries Shop resemble it,

That hath a salve for every sore to fit.

Thou maist; so aptly tearm it if thou please,

Because here's cure for thy poor souls disease.

Then to this Pharmacopolium hye,

Where doth the blest Pharmacotheon lie.

Or wilt thou call this Book a Treasury?

Why so thou maist; for here true Riches lie,

Which doth all Indian treasures far excel:

No Gem, or Jewel can them parallel.

And though it be but for a small price sold,

The value of it yet can ne're be told.

In praise of Book, or Author, who'l say more,

He guards a Title that was rich before.

And when that thou, and I our praise have done,

A Candle we have lighted to the Sun.

Nay, should we say, and write ev'n what we can;

Its but a drop unto the Ocean.

If in all this, thou wilt not credit me,

I wish thee (then) to read the Book, and see.

F. P.

To his much Honored Father, Mr. S. C. On his Second Part of the Marrow of Eccles. Hist.

SIr, Could my fancy comprehend the worth

Of this your Book, or could I set it forth

As it deserves, my Pen an Angels quill

Must be; my Fancy equall with my Will,

It is a Jewel no where to be found

In either Eastern, or West Indy ground.

If I may judge how good tis by how rare,

It may with Birds of Paradise compare:

If I may judge the rareness by how good,

Tis mans delight, Saints pleasure, Angels food.

Let Popish Mummists shew John Baptists head:

These are the Saints best Reliques when once dead.

I. C.

To his Honored Ʋncle, Mr. Samuel Clark, upon His Book of LIƲES.

RAre sight! Your Synod calls a Parliament;

A Paradox in States: No, sure y'ave sent

Your preaching Baptists first in good array

For Gods Annointeds to prepare the way.

These Worthies th'others Doctrine o're again

By their Examples teach; and what more plain?

It's now no Solaecism (sure) to see

More Suns, one Heaven, and yet no Anarchy.

Witness this Book, whose light my Star praesages,

A faithful Guide shall prove to after Ages.

The world's your debtor (Sir,) her Antique worth,

And Modern beauty's to the life set forth.

Princes your Subjects, Peers your Cliants are,

Your Pen their praises speaks, they yours; tis rare:

This Book's another Westminster, a Dort;

A true Compendium both of Church and Court.

In summ: A Master piece of Polities,

Where Parliament with Synod well agree

N C.

A TABLE of the names of those persons whose Lives are contained in this Book, together with the years wherein they dyed.

Book I.

Book II.