An ABC for Laymen — Clergy George Wither

An ABC for Laymen · Clergy George Wither

King.

IT is folly for a king to put his trust in the multitude of his host and army.…salm. 33.16 The death of kinges and Princes sheweth vsus how vaine a thing it is for vsus to put our trust in men,…say. 37.24 or in the sonnes of men, for there is none helpe in them, for their breath departeth,…sal. 146.4.5 they dye and tourne againe to their earth, and then their thoughts perish.…rou. 20.8 p. 28. If a King will see euill and wickednesse driuen and chased away out of his realme and land, he must seuerely punish the wicked. Yet he must mingle mercy with iustice,…rou. 29.14 for mercy shall establishe his throne.…ou. 28.4. He must also hauehave an especiall care to defend the poore in truth, for that is an other mean to vphold him in his kingdom. He must abstaine from the louelove of giftes, for otherwise he shall destroy his countrye. He must meruailously take heede of giuing eare to vntruthes, otherwise he shall be sure to hauehave wicked seruauntes. When drosse is taken away from Siluer, there proceedeth a vessell for the finer: so take away the wicked from the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousnesse. As the height of heauens and the deepnesse of earth,Eccle. 4.13.14. so the kings heart is vnsearcheable. Yet his heart is in the hande of God, he turneth it which way so euer it pleaseth him. A poore childe that is wise, is better then an old foolishe king that can not abide to be admonished or counselled. For out of prison he commeth foorth to raigne, when he that is borne in a kingdome commeth to pouerty and misery. Woe to the land where the king is as a child without wisdome,Eccl. 10.16.17. and where the Princes and Rulers giuegive them selues altogeather to voluptuousnesse and pleasures. But happy is that land, whose king God hath endued with celestiall wisedome, and all graces meet for gouernment. We must beware of speaking euill,Eccle. 10.20 or thinking euill of princes: For though we doe it neuer so secreatly it cannot be kept close. So necessary as breath and life is for the body, so be good kinges and Princes for their people and common wealth. Thogh kinges and princes sometimes conspire against Christ,Act. 4.26.2 to destroy the Church, and to quench the light of the Gospell, yet we are assured that all they can do nothing, but whatsoeuer Gods hande and counsell had afore hande determined to bee done. The king is the minister of God to take vengeaunce on them that doe euill. Therefore let euill doers be afrayde of him, for he beareth not the swoorde for naught. Finally, the king must hauehave Gods booke continually with him,Deut. 17.10 & therein for his continuall direction he must read all the dayes of his life.

Labourers.

WHen we see painfull l…bourers, if we bee ministers we shoulde by their example learne, what paines we ought to bestowe vppon Gods flock: if we be common persons, wee are in them to viewe the care and paine, that vigilant pastors take for vsus, and to consider howe worthy they are of their reward.1 Cor. 3.9. Againe, when wee see eyther for want of labourers, or by negligence of those which are set on work,Math. 10.10 thinges doe perishe and be lost: then we shoulde consider, howe many thousands of soules are in daunger of perishing,Math. 9.37.38. for want of painefull and carefull ministers, and should earnestly call vponupon God to thrust out laborers into his haruest,

Further, the viewe of labourers sweating, toyling, and taking paines,Iob. 5.7. shoulde put vsus in minde whereunto we are borne, and also that that there is a penalty laid vponupon men by God,Genes. 3 19. in the sweat of their browes to eate their bread. To the painfull labourer sleepe is sweete,Eccle. 1.11 whether hee eateth much or little. Hee that for neede stole, let him steal no more,Ephesi. 4.28. but let him labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may both eate his owne bread,…. Thes 33.12 and also be able to giuegive to him that needeth.

Lambe.

WIth such patience and meeknes as a lamb is carried to the slaughter,Ierem. 11.19 with such are the Prophets and preachers of God brought by the wicked to most cruell death.Iohn. 1.29. For his meeknesse and innocency, wherein a lambe resembleth him, Christe is called the lambe of God, which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde. And because that as a lamb is dumbe before his shearer,Actes. 8.33 so hee was led to the slaughter, not opening his mouth.

Lying.

AS vncomely as magnificall talke is for a poore foole,Pro. 17.7. so vnmeeete is lying and vntrue talke for a Prince.Iohn. 8.44. As the deuil is the father of lies, so lying is an euident token of his Children. The grosse and apparant lies commonly beleeued and receiued in Popery,2. Thes. 11. is a manifest token of Gods iust vengeaunce vppon them to their damnation, that they are giuen ouer to beleeue lies, because they receiued not the louelove of the trueth: which punishment, wee see howe it lighted vponupon the Iewes,Iere. 5.31. whose Prophetes preached lies, and the people delighted therein. Who soeuer loueth or maketh lies,Apoc. 22.… shall neuer enter into the gates of the Heauenlye and Celestiall Ierusalem, but shall hauehave their part and portion in the Lake which burneth with fier and Brimstome.21. ver. Yet wee may complaine with Dauid,Psalme. 12.1 that there is not a godly man left, and that the faythfull doe fayle from amongest the children of men.

Lyar.

Prou. 17.4THe eares of the wicked are alwaies open to the lippes of liars, and Liars are glad to hearken to the tongues of them that are accustomed to lies,Exod. 23.7. yet we are commaunded to flie from lying, because it is amongest the things that God abhorreth.Pro. 6.16.17.30. verse. 8 Therefore we are earnestly to request at Gods handes to remooue farre from vsus vanities and lies,Ephesi. 4.5. and to teach vsus to speak the trueth, eueryevery man to his neighbour.

Lightning.

SO quicklye as the Lightning in the East, is seene vntounto the Weste:Math. 24.27. so sodainely shall Christe appeare vntounto the whole worlde, at his second comming.

Light.

…ob. 18.6AS a dark or dimme light which a man can not discerne any thing by, nor vse to his benefite,Psam. 27.1 but is ready so soone as it is stirred to goe quite out: so is the prosperity of the wicked: but God is the light of his,Psa. 611.10… and giueth them eyes, and wisedome to eschue all the perilles, and dangers of their spirituall enimies. As men in the night because of the darknesse, vse Lanterne and Lights, that they may see their way: so we ought in this blinde, darke and ignoraunt world, to vse the Worde as a Lanterne vntounto our feete, and a light to our steppes,Iohn. 1.9. that wee may walke in those wayes that God hath prouided for vsus to walke in. For Christ preached, in the worde is the true Light which lightneth all that come into the worlde, that are lightned. The benefite that wee receiue by light, Ioh. 3.19.20.setteth out the benefite of the knowledge of Christe. And as they that louelove it hide their doings in the dark, it is a manifest token, that their owne consciences beareth them witnesse that their doings bee naught: So they that louelove and choose rather ignoraunce, then the knowledge of Christ, It is a manifest token that they loath to see the filthinesse of theire owne workes. Moreouer, it is a manifest token of condemnation, when they shut their eyes againste the trueth.

As Light endureth not alwayes, but darknesse succeedeth: so the times and means to get knowledge, endureth not alwayes:Iohn. 12.35. but wee are to vse them whilste God doth giuegive them. Otherwise, as he that goeth in the darke, catcheth a shrewde turne afore he wotteth of it:Iohn. 14.46. so he that walketh in ignoraunce, runneth headlong to destruction, when hee least thinketh of it. Whosoeuer thinke that they beleeue in Christe, and yet abide in their olde ignoraunce, and care not for knowledge, deceiue themselues. The light that shineth vntounto vsus out of darknesse,1. Cor. 4.6 is the knowledge of the glory of God in Christe. And those which are endued with this knowledge, are nowe light in the Lord whatsoeuer they hauehave bene, & ought carefully to walk as is comely for the children of light. Ephes. 5.8.For many things which whilste they were in darknes & ignoraunce seemed not, & were not thought of them to be faults & vices, are discouered & made manifest by y^e light of knowlege,Ephes. 5.13 and therfore to be diligently auoided and eschued of thē, which willingly & wilfully wil not continue in wickednes. For it is a vain perswasion for mē to thinke that they hauehave fellowshippe with God, who is light, 1. Iohn. 5.6and in whom is no darknes, and yet walk in darknes still. Also they are fowly deceiued that think themselues to be in the light, 1. Iohn. 2.9& yet hate their brethren.

Lilly.

AS the lilly doth florish and spring in the feeld or garden: so God doth make the penitent, whose sinnes he forgiueth & pardoneth, to growe and …lorish.Hose. 14.6 The lilly of the feeld, whose beauty exceedeth the glory of the richest raiment that euer any king or potentate in the worlde ware,Mat. 6.28.24 declareth what God is able to doe for those that rest and repose themselues vponupon his prouidence, when ordinary means faile.

Lion.

GOd killeth vp them y^t disobey the voice of his words, by the cruelty of raging of lions: So was the Prophet that prophecied against Ieroboams calfes, for eating in Bethel contrary to the precept of the Lord destroyed and slaine by a lion. 1. Kin. 13.24So were the Samaritans newly planted by y^e king of Ashur in the land of Israel,2. Kin. 17.25 for not fearing the Lord, destroied by lions. But God can shut vp the lions mouths,Dani. 6.27. & make them calme and meeke to them which fear and serue him. As lions rage and roare when they seeke after their pray:Psalme. 7.2 so doe wicked men, when they seeke to destroy them that feare God.Psalm. 57.4 So fearfull as the roaring of a lion is: so terrible is the wrath of a king. And as the lion and lions whelps fiercely rageth on his pray:Prou. 19.12 so shall God on the enimies of his Church, when he riseth vp to defend it.Esa. 31.4 Rauening lions expresse the nature of tyrants, that make hauock of the people committed to them. The lion caught in a net or pitfall, expresseth the miserable estate of a king taken captiue,Eze. 19.5.6.7 19. verse 4.8. and held in captiuity. As a raging lion spoileth and deuoureth all that hee can catch or come by: so the Lorde deuoureth and spoileth the wicked that fall from him,Hose. 5.14.13. ver. 78. and exerciseth all maner of cruelty vponupon them. As when y^e lion roareth, whosoeuer is within his danger, can not choose but be afraid:Amos. 3.8 so, when the Lord speaketh, what prophet or preacher of his can holde his peace?

Leopard.

AS impossible as it is for a black-more to cast awaye his Skinne and to become White,Ierem. 13.23 and for a Leoparde to put awaye his spottes: So impossible it is for them that noosell themselues and accustome them selues continuallye with euill doing to chaunge their custome, and to endeauour to doe well.Abuck. 1.8 The swiftnesse of the Leopard is not comparable or equall to the pace of their horses, whom God stirreth vp to plague the wickednes of them that that prouoke him to wrath or anger.

Leauen.

A little leauen hidden in a greate lumpe of Doughe:Math. 13.33. by little and little leaueneth all: which teacheth vsus not to be amazed or astonished at the small and vnlikely beginnings of the gospell, but patiently to waite and abide Gods leasure,Math. 16.6 till the fruite and encrease thereof be made apparant: And as sweete Dough is made sowre by a little leauen: So is the sweetenesse and comfort of the doctrine of trueth corrupted, if it be neuer so little entermedled with humane doctrine or mans traditions.1. Cor. 5.6.7.8. The like is to bee seene in our conuersation, If the leauen of malitiousnesse and wickednesse remayne in vsus. We must take heede therefore of suffering a little euill, and fostering a fewe wicked personnes amongest vsus. For it doth quickly corrupt much and many:Gala. 5.9 the beginnings therefore of wickednesse are to be refrained.

Life.

AS that is counted the life of men, wherein they most delight and reioice: So that is a good ministers life to see his flock stand fast in y^e Lord.1. Thes. 3.8 Ezec. 20.11 God gaue vntounto his people stacutes, and declared his iudgements vntounto them, which whosoeuer doth,Rom. 5.12.23. shall liue in them. But this life all men lost, & death preuailed in all, because all men sinned, that is to say, transgressed the law. But God of his mere mercy, fauor and goodnes, hath giuen vsus life eternal in Christ: and when we were deade in sinne hath quickened and raised vsus againe in Christ,Ephe. 2.5.6 & hath reuealed it to vsus by the preaching of the Gospell,1. Iohn. 1.2. Iohn. 3.16 to the ende that all that beleeue should not perish, but be partakers of life euerlasting.

Man.

WHen we see any possession kept by strength & force of armed men, which cannot bee remooued, but by greater strength & force: then also we are to remember, that euē so, we were kept by y^e prince of this world, whose possessiō we were and whose force could be by no means remoued, but by the might of our God shewed in his sonne Christ,Mark. 3.27 that victorious lion of the tribe of Iudah, by whome the prince of this world was cast out of dores. When we see a man robbed or woundded, or in any other kind of necessity: then are we to remember,Luke. 10.37. that he is that mans neerest neighbour, that dealeth moste neighbourlie by him, & giueth him most and best comfort, how farre soeuer hee dwell from him, or whatsoeuer enimity or strangenesse hauehave beene betweene them.

Mariage.

AS often as wee are present at any mariage, and see man and wife, coupled together in holy matrimony:Ierem. 2.2 so often we shoulde remember how much God hath done for vsus to couple vsus as his spowse to him selfe.Hos. 2.19.20. The keeping of the promise and fayth of mariage inuiolable, shoulde admonish vsus carefully to keepe the like to our God. And the detestation that the good husbande conceiueth against the wife,Iere. 2.19.20 if she play the Harlott, should make vsus to thinke how grieuous the anger of God is against vsus, if we forsake him. And as it is againste good manners for a man to mourne at the marriage of his friende: so it is against duety for men not to reioyce with thanksgiuing, when they by euident testimones, perceiue the fauour of God towardes them in coupling them to him selfe,Math 9.15. Whereby they are straightlyer conioyned then they can bee in this worlde,Math. 12.49. 1. Cor. 7.29 by any band of aliance or kinred. Yet wee must take heede that mariage make vsus not worldly minded, nor yet bee an impediment to Gods matters.

The institution of it was in paradise with this condicion,Genes. 2.21.1. verse. 28 that whatsoeuer friends were neerest or deerest by nature were to be left and forsaken, that the maried couple might cleaue and continue together. The blessing thereof was by Gods owne mouth, that the face of the earth mighte be replenished with mankinde. The estate of it is honorable for all men,Heb. 13.4 and the bed thereof impolluted and vndefiled. But maruellous necessary for them which hauehave not the gifte of continency:1. Cor. 7.2.4.7. verse 4 the bond thereof is mutuall and tieth either to other. The prohibition of mariage to any sort of men or women,1. Timo. 4.3. is a doctrine which the papistes learned of the deuil himselfe.

Maides.

THe mindfulnesse of maides to deck and trim vp themselues in the best maner, who hardly or neuer forget those thinges which they think may beautify them, shall serue to our condemnation, which can so easely and so lightly forgette God,Ierem. 2.32 and so quickly quite exile, & banish him out of our mindes.

Measure.

FAlse and vniust measures are an abhomination to the Lord,Prou. 20.10 he cannot abide them: but by his iust iudgement hee recompenseth them into their bosome by one meanes or other.Math. 7.2 For what soeuer measure we meate, the same we must look for to be met to vsus againe. Therefore thou shalt not hauehave in thy house diuers measures, a greate and a small, but thou shalt hauehave a right and a iust waighte,Deut. 25.14.15.16. a perfect and a iust measure shalt thou hauehave that, thy Dayes may bee lengthned in the Lande, which the Lorde thy God giueth thee. For all that do such thinges, and all that do vnrighteously are an abhomination vntounto the Lord.

Meate.

Psalm …9.1THe wicked runne here and there seeking for Meate, and shall not be satisfied, but the godly hauehave as great delight and desire to please God and to performe his will,Iohn. 4.34 within compasse of their seuerall callinges,Rom. 14.14. as to eate their meate when they are an hungred, and when they see men labour and toyle harde to hauehave wherewith to feed them selues and their families:Iohn. 6.27 then they call to minde how much rather they are bound to labour for that meate that endureth to life euerlasting. And as oft as they see meate of what sort soeuer, they remember that no creature of God, is of it selfe vnholy or vncleane, but that all meates are sanctified to the receiuer by the word of God and prayer,Rom. 14.20.21. and therfore they abhorre that deuilishe doctrine of the Pope, which at sometimes not for ciuill pollicie,1. Cor. 8.8 but for conscience sake commaundeth some meates to be abstayned from as vnlawfull. Wherefore as they condemn none for vsing their lawfull liberty, so they them selues are carefull, least that in rashe or vnaduised vse of their liberty they shoulde offende, or be occasion of backsliding to their weake brethren. For neither the vsing or abstayning from meate, maketh a man the more or lesse acceptable to God, but alwayes in eating or drincking, or what soeuer else doing, they hauehave a thankfull consideration of Gods liberality, to glorify him for his benefites.

Milstone.

IT was in the olde time, the office of slaues to grinde in the mill,Esay. 47.2 and is at this day the punishment of masterlesse men and vagaboundes, and the sight thereof should make vsus remember, to what vile slauery God threatneth to bring the enimies of his people and Church to. Further, as he that is throwne into deepe waters with a milstone about his necke,Math. 18.6. is sure to perish and to be drowned: so we were better to sustaine that, or anye other bodilie punishment, then to hinder weak and simple Christians from the truth.

Mockers.

MOckers and scorners at the gospell & trueth of God,Psalm. 1.1. are in the highest degree of impiety. Wherfore be no mockers, for if y^e Lord for the vngodlines of the inhabitants,Esay. 28.22. decree a consumption vponupon the whole land, much more shall he destroy the scorners. For the cruell man shall cease, and the scornfull shall be consumed,Esay. 29.20. and all that hasted to iniquity shall be cut off.

Minister.

WHen we see the church abound with blind, idle, ignoraunt couetous Ministers: then let vsus feare the plague, that the like brought vponupon the Churche of the Iewes,Esay. 56.10 11. whose watchmen were all blinde, had no knowledge, were dumb Dogs, could not barke, delighted in sleeping, had neuer enough. Ignoraunt ministers, that oppose themselues against Preachers and preaching, are to bee terrified with the curse of Christe, which hee giueth against those that take awaye the key of knowledge,Luke. 11.52. and neyther woulde enter themselues, nor suffer them which would: which also stretcheth to them that maintain ignorance to bee the mother of deuotion, and also to them which with their traditions, and impure glosses hauehave corrupted the true sence and plaine meaning of the worde.1. Cor. 3.4. And when wee hauehave as excellent ministers as can be, if we stay and grounde our selues vponupon them, and not vponupon the worde, we are carnall and not spirituall.Rom. 10.15. Howbeit, the feete of them that bring tidings to vsus of our saluation ought to bee meruellous welcome,Luke. 10.16. and those that despise them, despise Christ him selfe.

Moates.

WHen we see the sunne so clearly to shine that we may see the motes that flye vp and downe in the Sun-beaems:Math. 7.3.4.5. Then we are to consider howe many greater things there are in our selues and others, which wee see not: And thereby wee are to learne to looke narrowlye to our selues, that we bee not curious in spying small faultes in others, and either blind or rechlesse in passing ouer greate faultes in our selues vnespied, and so bewray our hypocrisy.

Moone.

THe light of the moone should make vsus mindful of the promises GOD made vntounto his Church,Esay. 60.19.20. that their sunne should neuer go down, and their moone neuer be hid, for the Lorde shall be their euerlasting lighte.Iob. 25.5.6. If the moone bee not brighte, nor the starres cleane in the eyes and sight of God, how much more filthy is the sonne of man, which is but an earth-worme?

Mony.

THe image of the Prince, together with his inscription vponupon his mony coyned, teacheth vsus that those externall things are his,Mark. 12.17. and that in those wee owe him subiection, and are to bee at his commandement, for they all are his, & we his subiectes hauehave them of him, and vnderunder him, and by the benefite of his Lawes:Rom. 13.6.7 and therefore wee are commaunded to giuegive him tribute because to him it belongeth.

Moath.

AS moathes eate garmentes, and Wormes wool: so the wicked shall be fretted away and consumed. Wherefore we neede not greatly to feare theire reproches, rebukes and threates. And GOD shall be come like a moth and rottennesse,Hose. 51.8. to those that beare the name of his people, and yet abound in wickednesse. The moath eating,Math. 6.19. the canker corrupting, the theefe stealing, shoulde cause vsus by the consideration thereof, to alienate our minde from that, which eyther so shortly perisheth, or, so quickly chaungeth his owner, and therefore can tarry with vsus we know not how little while. Those that let their clothes lye by them, till they be moath-eaten, seeing eueryevery day a number of naked soules to want them,Iames. 5.2. shall hauehave their own moath-eaten garmentes to be a witnesse against them, to their condemnation at the day of iudgement.

Mourners.

WHen at buriall and at other times, wee see men mourne and in heauinesse, then wee are to remember, that wee are to mourne, and lament for our wickednesse and sinnes,Ezech. 9.4 If we looke to be spared at the hands of God in the day of the generall destruction of the Lande for impiety.

Morsell.

Prou. 17.1.A Dry morsell is better for man with peace & quietnesse, then a house full of al delicates with brawling and strife.

Morter.

WHen we see thinges brused and broken in a morter, then are wee to remember, that all correction is in vaine bestowed vppon a foole,Prou. 27.22. to bring him to learning and wisedome: for it will not be as long as folly abydeth with him, which can by no meanes be chased from him.

Mountaines.

AS farre as the great and huge mountaines exceede the rest of the earth: so farre do the iustice of God exceede and excell the righteousnesse of any creature.Psalm. 36.6

Myre.

AS a man or Beast that suddeynly falleth into a deepe quagmyre, whereof hee can finde no bottom,Psalm. 69.2 must needes perish, except there be some at hand to drawe him out: so he that falleth into extreame aduersitie, except God do help him out, must needes be therein ouerthrown and perish.

Mite.

WHen wee see men giuegive largely to good and godly vses,Mark. 12.43 44. and amongst them, some poore men giuegive gladly of that little which the Lorde hath lent them: then are we to remember that it is not the quantitye of the gifte,2. Cor. 8.12. but the cheerefulnesse of the giuer, which the Lorde liketh.

Mustard.

THe smalnes of the seede of mustard, compared with the greatnes of the encrease therof, teacheth vsus from how smal & vnlikely beginnings God doth bring foorth his Church to a wonderfull encrease,Math. 13.31 32. and largenesse. The consideration whereof is a great comfort to those, whose labors. God employeth in those places, where least likelihoode is that they shoulde doe good.

Milke.

MIlke serueth vsuallye to feede children and infantes:1. Cor. 3.2. which when we see, we are to remember, that all are not capable of one, and the same manner of instruction, but we ought otherwise to deale with yonglinges, and nouices in Christ, then with those that are grown to more strength and knowledge. For the rudementes of religion, and the first principles, and as it were the A.B.C. of Christianity,Heb. 5.12.13.14. is as milk for babes in Christe. And a deeper insighte and knoweledge of the true vnderstanding of the word, & of the doctrin comprehended in y^e same, is meat for thē which are further grown & are mē in Christ. Therfore, if we be regenerate, and borne again in Christe,1. Pet. 2.2. we are to desire the sweete and sincere milke of the worde, without anye mingle mangle of traditions or humane doctrine, that we may growe thereby.

Needle.

THe smalnesse of the eye of a Needle, compared with the greatnesse of a Camell, shoulde make men remember, how great and dangerous an euill it is for men to be possessed of their possessions:Mark. 10.24. so that as it is impossible for a Camell to goe thorough the eye of a needle: so also is it impossible for such a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen, for he hath made his golde his God, though he do not so think nor perswade him selfe.

Nette.

AS the net craftely laid,Psalm. 31.4 encloseth a number of fish: so y^e wicked by their priuy deuises, seek to catch & draw into their danger y^e godly.Ezec. 12.1… But god on y^e other side, both maketh them fall into their own nets which they hauehave laid for others, and also maketh the hands of their enimies to be nettes & snares to catche them. Further, they that ascribe their wealth and other blessinges of this life, to the outward meanes, and instrumentes whereby they hauehave gotten those things, are like fisher men which when they hauehave sped well do goe & burne incense,Aba. 1.16 and offer sacrifice to their nets.

Nurce.

EUen as a Nurce doth fauour and with all mildnesse foster and cherish his Children,1. Thes. 2.7 euen so ought a minister with all kindnesse and lemtie to cherish his flocke.

Obligation.

THe making, sealing and giuing in euidence of Obligations and other hand wrightinges, shoulde make vsus remember that there were as many hand writinges against vsus to condemn vsus in the time of the law,Collos. 2.14 as there were ordinaunces of the law to be executed or exercised of vsus: and the cancelling, discharging, and defacing of obligations or other such writinges, shoulde bring vsus to a thankfull remembraunce of Gods great goodnesse and kindnesse in Christ, who when we stoode so manye wayes indebted, hath not onelyonly payd our debts, but also hath put out and cancelled the obligations and hand, writinges of the law which were against vsus.

Obstinacie.

WHen we see any place wherein the graces of God most mercifullye offered by the preaching of his Worde,Math. 11.20 21.22.23. are obstinately refused and maliciously resisted: Then are we most hartely to lament their miserye, for that their state and condition in the daye of iudgement shall be farre more miserable and wretched, then the condition or estate of Sodome and Gomorrha,Mark. 6.11. or any other vponupon whom God hath executed most iust iudgementes and most terrible punishment.

Othe.

WHen we see men beleeued vppon their Oath, Heb. 6.17.then let vsus remember how much more we are bound to beleeue the promises of God, seeing to shew the stablenesse of his councell,Iames. 5.12. he hath bound himselfe thereto by his Oth. Men in common speech are not to sweare,1. The…. 2.5 but their communication must be yea, yea, nay, nay. But it is lawfull for them to sweare,Rom. 9.1. Heb. 6.16. so it make for the better credit of the ministery of the word, for the readier beleeuing of the doctrine of the truth, for the preseruation of louelove amongest men,Deut. 6.13. and for the ending of contentions. But then in our othes we must vse the name of God with exceeding reuerence,Exod. 20.7 Deut. 5.…1. not for euerye light and trifling matter, neither falsely nor vntruely, but in truth, in iustice and iudgement,Zachary 5.4. so that all that see and heare our reuerent dealing may blesse and praise our God:Ierem. 4.2.5. vers. 7. Sopho. 1. but to sweare by any thing that is not god, is a flat falling awaye from God. So is it also in swearing to ioyne any other thing with God.

Olife tree.

IN the middest of the miseries of this worlde, the godly man, when he seemeth to be of men reiected and cast of, the sight of a greene Olife tree shoulde comfort him, that he may saye with Dauid, yet I shall he like a greene Olife tree in the house of my God,Psalm. 52.8 for I trusted in the mercye of God for euer and euer. Further, a flourishing Olife tree shoulde bring vsus to a diligent consideration, of the couenaunt and promise of blessednesse made by Abraham and his posteritie. Boughes broken or cut off,Rom. 11.17. shoulde make vsus remember, what nombers naturallye descended from Abraham, are for the neglecting and contemning of the couenaunt cut or broken off, and the graffing in of griftes, should make vsus thankfull to God for his goodnesse, in accepting of vsus in their roomes.

Oliues.

AS in the time of gathering of Oliues, a few berries escape here and there vngathered:Esay. 17.6.24.13. so when God doth bring generall destruction vppon any land, for the impietie of the people therin, and for the contempt of his Worde and ordinances, a very few here and there shall scape.

Oyle.

IN the old time the vse of Oyle was manifold, especially to annoynt them that were consecrated to great offices, as to be Kinges and Priestes. For by Oyle the plentifulnes of gods graces powred vponupon them, for their better enabling to execute their offices was represented, and therefore that vnmeasurable aboundance, wherewith our Lorde and Sauiour Christ was endued,Psalm. 45.…. Heb. 1.6. was called the Oyle of gladnesse, and we that beleeue called his fellowes,1. Pet. 2.9. brethren, and partners, because that out of his fulnesse, we also in some measure hauehave receiued, so that we also are made Kinges and Priestes.

Ointment.

AS an Ointment well compounded of sweet & odoriferous thinges, cannot but be acceptable to the sent of all men: so that vnitie which beginneth at religion,Psalm. 133.2 and stretcheth to the vttermost borders of the Church and common wealth, can not but both please God and all good men.Prou. 27.9. And as the sent and sauour of a sweet ointment or perfume, is cōfortable to the braines and hart: so is the wise and harty councell of a mans assured friend.Eccle. .7.3 A good name is sweeter then a most pleasant ointment.

Ornaments.

WHen we see the Children of them that bee great and rich men decked with chaines of gold and other costly Ornaments, Prou. 19.then we are to remember that there is no such beautifiyng of a Childe, as is the diligence and paines of Father and mother in seeing their child taught, and instructed in all kinde of literature and nurture.

Oppression.

WHen both by craft and subtiltie, and also by outward and open rage, the tirants of this world oppresse the church of God, & go about vtterly to destroy & to root it out frō of the face of y^e earth: Then the prouidence of God in preseruing his people in Egipt, ought to be our comfort and consolation:Exod. 1.12.20. for he is the same God still and is not chaunged. When Oppression hath gotten from iustice her authoritie,Amos. 5.7.11 and crueltie raigneth in steede of equitie, then iudgement is tourned to wormwood. But the iudgementes of the Lorde shall follow those cruell oppressors, for they shall builde houses, and not dwell in them, and plant vineyardes, and not eat the fruit of them. Therefore sith God is so seuere a reuenger of oppression and wrong,1. Thes. 4.6. we are diligently to take heede that no man oppresse or defraud his brother,

Ouen.

AS in an Ouen or fornace, the fire doth quickly consume the wood which is put therein;Psalm. 21.9. so the wicked in the day wherein God will shew foorth his anger,Mala. 4.1. shal quickly be consumed. Or rather with what facilitie and speed, strawe or stubble is consumed in the heating of an Ouen, with the like the wicked shall be destroyed.

Owle.

AN Owle doth not onelyonly keepe alone and not shew her selfe in the day time, but also if at any time she happen to be seene,Psal. 102.6. all other birdes do wonder at her. Wherein we see the state of a godly man well expressed, when he happeneth to dwell alone amongst a number and multitude of wicked men, he neither delighteth in their companye, and yet is a common gasing or wondring stocke, when he happeneth to be among them.

Palme.

THe nature of a Palme tree is alwayes to be greene, and the more it is pressed with anie waight, the more to grow and flourish, and therefore in those Countries where it commonly groweth,Psalm. 92.12. is apt to expresse the blessinges of God vppon the righteous.

Pellicane.

A Pellicane is wont to keepe a lone and without company of other Byrdes, his voyce or singing hath no pleasantnesse in it.Psalm. 202.6 Wherefore it well expresseth the state of a sorrowfull man, and an heauy hart forsaken of all men, euen of those whom sometime he tooke to be his deare friends.

Pearle.

Math. 13.46.WHen we see Pearles of great price, such as we can well be content to bestowe all our substaunce and wealth on, thinking thereby to be great gayners: then are we to remember, how much more precious the kingdome of heauen is, and that for the attainment thereof, no earthlye treasure is to be spared.

Penne.

AS the letters carued in stone or other hard mettalles with tooles of yron and steele, are wont to be set vp for a perpetuall memory of that which men will hauehave remembred:Ierem. 17.1. So God neuer putteth out of memory the froward sinnes of obstinate wicked men. As the Penne of man serueth to commit to writing those things wherof he would hauehave the remembrance continued: so the holy ghost registreth in the hartes of the children of God,2. Cor. 3.3. those thinges which God seeth necessarye for their saluation to bee recorded of them.

Pot.

AS in the fining Pot the gold-smith tryeth the Siluer: so doth God by tribulation trye the hartes of men.Esay. 30.10.14. As an earthen Pot so broke to peeces, that a shard of it can not be found fitte for any vse: so shall y^e destruction of such be whose eares can not abyde the trueth, but will needes hauehave their Preachers flatter them in their sinnes,Ezech. 24.6. and foster them in their errours. As a pot of meate seething on the fier which no bodye skommeth, muste needes be full of loathsome filth: So Cities and Countries continuing in blouddy violence with out repentaunce and amendment, must needes be loathsome and abhominable in the eyes of God. And as no man can accuse the Potter for making of the same lumpe of clay a drinking pot and a chamber pot: Rom. 9.21.so none ought to quarrell or find fault with their creator, whose work manship they are, framed at his good pleasure and will.

Pismire.

THE nature of the Pismire is, to be diligent in gathering and carrying to her Hillocke in Sommer that, wherewith shee shoulde liue in winter: wherfore Solomon sendeth the slouthfull idle man,Pro. 6.6.7.8. to the Pismire to learne to labour in season for his liuing.

Pillowes.

WHen wee see men sowing soft Pillowes and cushions for men to leane on,Ezec. 13.18 or sit on, then are we to remember to be heedefull, that wee be not perswaded by false and lying Prophetes, to looke for at the hands of God, peace and prosperity, when our contemptuous and obstinate sins deserue the contrary.

physition.

Math. 9.11PHisitions for the body, should put vsus in minde of the heauenly Phisition of our soule. And as they that are in health, hauehave no neede of the Phisition, Mark. 2.17.and therefore seeke little or nothing after them: so they that know not the dangerous diseases of their soules,Luke. 5.31 but thinke themselues in case good inough, doe seeke little after Christe, and set little by him. It is daungerous also for them that are bodily sick, to trust to the cunning of the Phisition, 2. Chr. 16.12and not to seeke the Lord.

Plants.

IN rooting out vnprofitable Plants and throwing them out of our Garden: wee are to remember that euerye Plant which God hath not planted,Math. 15.13. shall be rooted out of the Church.

Planting.

WHen we see men in their gardens diligent in Planting and watring,1. Cor. 3.7.8. and taking great paines vponupon hope of the fruit thereof: Then Ministers are admonished what paines they owe vntounto the church of God, and other men are thankfully to remember what paines God hath layde vponupon his Ministers, for the sauing of their souls. As it is reason that he which planteth a vineyard should eat of the fruit thereof, so also it is reason, that the teacher of the gospell shoulde hauehave a liuing of them whom he teacheth for him selfe and his charge.1. Cor. 6.7.

Place.

WHen we see men glad to hide them selues in secreat places from peerill and daunger: Then are we to remember that there is no secreat place so safe for vsus to flie vntounto,Psalm. 32.7 as is our good God.

Plowing.

THE discretion to take time fit to Plow & sowe,Esay. 28.2… the skill to vse the diuersitie of instrumentes belonging to Husbandry, and the wisedome to make choyce of ground apt and sitte for eueryevery kind of seed, commeth of the teaching and instructing of God, and therefore is to be thoght vppon with a thankfull and kind remembrance. As plowing, reaping and eating the fruit, doe successiuely follow one an other: so he that ploweth wickednesse shall reape iniquitie,Hose. 10.13. and eat the fruit of lyes. Without breaking vp of our fallow groundes,Ierem. 4.4. it is but a folly to lay on seed, and when the followe is broken, & hath his due tilth, which is the hardest part of the plowgh-mans worke: then such as he soweth he is like to reape.Hose. 10.12.

When we see men waxe wearie of the plow, & giuegive ouer labour and paines: then we are to remember, that he that continueth not in the vocation wherein God hath planted him for the benefite of the Church, is not apt for the kingdome of God.Luke. 9.62.

Poore.

ARte thou poore, miserable, and afflicted, there is no such waye as to crye vntounto the Lorde, for he will deliuer thee, and ridde thee out of all troubles.Psalm. 34.6 The miserable estate of men to whome the glad tidinges of Christ their deliuerer out of all those miseries are welcome, are set out vntounto vsus by poore broken harted men, captiues, blind and bruised.Luke. … 8. If God hauehave blessed thee with wealth, and graunted thee to liue in delightes, and giuen thee both aboundaunce and delicacie of fare, dayly take heede of beeing vnmercifull, and let not poore Lazarus be neglected,Luke. 16.23 much lesse despised at thy gate, least thou follow the ritch glutton into hell. For he that despiseth or mocketh the poore, reprocheth him that made him.Prou. 17.5. And pouertie is the more patiently to be borne, because it was consecrated in Christ,2. Cor. 8.9. who beeing ritch, for our sakes became poore, that we through his pouertye might becomme rich.Prou. 15.16. And a little with the feare of the Lorde, is better then great treasure and trouble therewith. But if any of our brethren fall to pouerty,Deut. 15.7. we must neither harden our hartes nor close our handes.

Post.

THe speed that Postes make on their iourney,Iob. 9.15. doth admonishe vsus with what speed and hast our dayes of this miserable life do passe and haste away.

Pitte.

MEN that deuise mischiefe, and seeke by subtiltie to hurt others, are at eueryevery Pitte they passe by admonished to feare the iust iudgements of God, who oftentimes maketh them to fall into the pit which they digge for others.Psal. 7.15.6 Further, pits and snares do admonishe vsus to take heed of prouoking God to anger.Ierem. 48.44 For when he will punish, he that escapeth one punishment, shall surely fall into an other. Deepe pits,Zacha. 6.11. and yet drye in the Bottome, should bring vsus to minde that God will deliuer his Church out of all daungers, how great soeuer they seeme to vsus to be.

Preaching.

Esay. 6.10.WHere the Word is preached, and yet men growe not in vnderstanding and knowledge, but continue the same (or worse then they were before) still, then the iudgementes of God are to be feared, least he will not hauehave them conuerted and so saued, For so the Prophet concludeth against king Amaziah saying: I know that God hath determined to destroye thee, both because thou hast done this,2. Chro. 25.16. and hast not obeyed my counsell.

Prickes.

Act. 6.5.AS he that beateth his heeles and kicketh againste sharpe prickes, doth nothing but hurt his owne heeles: so he that striueth againste God, preuayleth nothing but harmeth himselfe.

Prophets.

THe killing, stoning, and misusing of the prophets of God sent vntounto men,2. Chth. 39.16. is an euident token and a most certaine fore-shew of their destruction in short time following. How be it, how soeuer the rage and crueltie of men,Math. 23.37 seme to make hauocke of the Prophets and people of god: yet they shal not so root out the Church of God,Rom. 11.4.5 but that God will alwayes hauehave some remnant according to the election of grace remaine to him selfe. Prophets at this daye are such as labour to expounde and applye the doctrine of the Word. Follow after louelove, and couet spirituall giftes,1. Cor. 14.3. and rather that yee may prophecie. For he that prophesieth speaketh vntounto men to edifiyng, to exhortation, and to comfort.

Pride.

WHen men feele them selues exalted in hart,Prou. 16.18 proude, and high minded, then let them know that their destruction is at hand, and their fall draweth neare.Luke. 10.52 For God scattereth the proud in the imagination of their harts, and putteth downe the mighty from their seates.Dani. 4.27. Hereof hauehave we example in king Nabuchadnezer, and in Hamman,Ester. 5.11. who prepared the gallous for Mardochaie, that he was hanged vponupon him selfe. Therfore, though a mans pryde mount vp to the heauens,6. vers. 14. and his head reach the cloudes, yet shall he perishe for euer like the dung, and they which hauehave seene him shall say where is he?Iob. 20.6.7. The tokens then of pryde that abound and are plentiful amongst vsus, do shew sharpe vengeance and iudgementes at hand.Esay. 3.16.17 Because the Daughters of Sion are hautie, and walke with stretched out neckes, and with wandering eyes, walking and minsing as they goe, and making a tinckling with their feet: Therefore the Lord shal make the heades of the Daughters of Sion balde, and the Lord shall discouer their secreat partes.1. Pet. 5.5. For god doth resiste the proud, and giueth grace to the humble and meeke.

Pleasure.

WHen we see foolishe men drowned in voluptuousnesse and pleasures, and not hauing any regarde to godlinesse, honesty or comelinesse, then are we to remember Salomons admonition,Prou. 19.10 that pleasure is neuer comely for a foole: and most commonly the immoderate louelove of pastime, bringeth them to pouerty and beggerie.

Raine.

THe Raine maketh the new mowen grasse freshly to spring againe, and showers so comfort the earth,Prou. 21.17. that it yeeldeth the fruites thereof: Euen so shall Christe refreshe, foster, nourishe, and cherishe his people. As a raging Raine beateth the Corne downe, and washeth away al before it:Psalm. 72.6 so when one poore man oppresseth an other, commonlye it is without pittie or mercy. Raine and snow falling from heauen retourneth not thither againe,Prou. 28.3. but watereth the earth, and maketh it fruitfull: Euen so the worde that commeth out of Gods mouth shall not retourne voyde,Esay. 55.10.11. but shall accomplishe and bring to passe that which God will, and shall prosper in that wherevnto he sent it. The raine falling from Heauen, and causing the earth to yeelde her fruit, was at all times and is still to all ages,Act. 14.17. an open and a plaine euident testimonye of the goodnesse of God, so that no man can excuse him selfe of ignoraunce. The earth that drincketh in the raine that commeth oft vppon it,Heb. 6.8. and bringeth foorth nothing profitable for the vse and behoofe of man, sheweth what is to be hoped of that man, whome the knowledge of the Worde doth in no part reforme.

Rasour.

AS a sharpe Rasour with the least touch that can be,Psalm. 52.2 shaueth and cutteth, so doth also the tongue of a mischeuous lying man.

Rebellion.

WHen we see a stubborne frowarde and vnruly Woman, brawle, skoulde, chide and rebel against her husbād,Ierem. 3.7.8.9. we are diligētly to look into our selues, how y^e case standeth betwixt vsus & God: for commonly, y^t expresseth vntounto vsus our vnrulinesse & rebellion against God: but all that resist God,Esay. 45.24. shal be confounded: for rebellion is as y^e sinne of witchcraft, and transgression is wickednesse and Idolatry. Therefore, Samuel saide to Saule,1. Sam. 15.23 because thou hast cast away the worde of the Lord, therefore the Lord hath cast away thee from being king.Rom. 13.2. To resist man, whome God hath set ouer men, is to rebell against GOD. Wherefore,Deut. 17.12.21. vers. 21. God him self hath set vponupon rebellion and contumacy against magistrates & parentes, no lesse penalty then death. His wonderful iudgments against such,Num. 16.32. 2. Sam. 18 9 are to be seene in Core, Dathan and Abiron, and also in Absolom.

Reede.

A Reede shaking too and fro, with eueryevery little small winde, declareth the inconstancy and mutability of the common sort of people,Math. 11.7. whome eueryevery small trifle doth cause to alter their minde and iudgement.Math. 12.20 When wee see any passe by a brused reede and not breake it: we are to remember that our sauiour Christ did beare with many infirmities in those which were his, least hee shoulde breake of or quench those good thinges, which began to appeare in them. And of him we are also to learne by bearing and forbearing, to cherish and foster such good as we see beginneth to liue, and growe in our weake brethren.

Reward.

AS the price or best game for running cannot bee obtained of any that eyther runne not, or else giuegive ouer afore they be at the end of their race: so none canne attayne the celestiall Crowne of glory,1. Cor. 9.24. but they which perseuer in the right trace of Christianity vntounto the end. And as they which runne in a race, hauing onelyonly regard to the reward, make them selues as light and as nimble as they can, and therefore throw awaye whatsoeuer is heauy, or may hinder their swiftnesse: so we in our course to heauen, hauing that glory onelyonly before our eyes,Heb. 12.1. shoulde throw from vsus sinne, which like an heauy burthen hangeth vponupon vsus, and whatsoeuer else may hinder vsus in the way and course to life euerlasting. Yet in this course, the greatest paines that can bee taken, and the greatest perfection which is possible for men to attaine vntounto,Luke. 17.10. is not meritorious, neither can deserue life. And therefore our Lorde and sauiour teacheth vsus, when wee hauehave done all that is commaunded vsus,Math. 5.12. to say and confesse that we are vnprofitable seruaunts, though hee of his meere liberality for our better comfort and encouragement in all good things,Heb. 10.35. hath promised large and liberall rewards.

Robbery.

WHen we see men which hauehave no conscience in getting, liberall to the poore, and to other things, in common intendment good: Then are wee to put them in minde, that God hateth and abhorreth to accept robberye or theeuerye for burnt offerings.Esay. 1.23. To louelove gifts and to hunt after rewardes in princes and men of Authority, is cozen germain to robbery.

Rockes.

AS y^e rocks that are hard to be clambred vntounto, are good refuges for the afflicted to fly vntounto from the face of their pursuers:Psalm. 18.2 So God is the safetye of all such as in distresse, do flye to him for succour. As hee that setteth the foundation of his howse vponupon a firme rocke, may bee sure that the Foundation shall bee able to beare the waight of that which shal be set vponupon it,Math. 7.24. and that no raine or floude shall wash it away: so hee that buildeth his faith vponupon Christe,Math. 16.18 as he is set out and preached vntounto vsus in the gospell, shall be sure that hell gates, that is, all the power, force, and cunning of the Diuel, shall neuer be able to preuaile against him.

An ABC for Laymen, Section 158 – Section 230

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