An ABC for Laymen, Section 298 – Section 339
Trees.
WHen we see trees digged vp by the rootes, not to the end to destroy them,Iob. 8.18. but to plant them in another place, where they maye growe better, & more conueniently: then are wee to remember, that the grieuous troubles of the righteous sent to them from God, are of the like sort, for their better planting in another place.Psalm 13. A tree pleasantly planted by the water side, prospering & bringing forth fruit in greate plenty,Ieram. 17.8 doth admonish vsus, how we which pretēd to be graffed in Christ Iesus, shold aboūd & be replenished with all good works.Psalm. 28.5 The strength of a Cedre tree; or of a great Oke, sodainly rent or pulled vp by the rootes,Psalm. 38.35 and the grene flourishing of a bay tree, sodainly blasted and withered away, doe represent vntounto vsus the strength and prosperitye of the wicked, how momentany they be, and how sodainlye they perish. A tree, the fruit whereof, is good for preseruation of life and health, & therfore of many much sought for,Prou. 15.4.3. verse 18. should bring to minde, howe wholsome a good tongue is, and carefully Wisdome is to bee sought after. Trees in Winter, which for that they are naked, and voide both of leaues & of fruit, do seeme for the time little to differ from dead & starued trees, and yet hauehave secretely hid in them theire iuice,Esay. 6.13. which maketh them spring again, and as it were reuiue again in summer: doe represent vntounto vsus the state of the Church of God, which though in bitter persecution, seemeth to be as it were quenched & extinguished: Yet when God giueth some peace & rest flourisheth and springeth again. When we see a little twig spring out of an old seare stocke such as we would hauehave thought it impossible for any thing to grow on it: then are we to remember in what decay the stock of Dauid was when Christ was borne.
The Church of God after persecution shal like a fruitefull Tree,Esay. 11.1. take roote againe, flourish and growe till the worlde bee filled with the fruite thereof. When we see some trees, higher, fayrer, greater and stronger then others:Esay. 27.6. then are we to remember, that euen so, is the greate power of those Nations, which God aboue other hath exalted. As trees are knowne to be good or bad by their fruite: so men are discerned by their doing.Ezech. 31.3. And as men are wōt to hew down ye trees, yt either are vnfruitfull or else bring foorth bad fruit, & make firewood of thē: so God in his good time will root out of his church al wicked men, and throw them into eternall fier. When trees blossome and shoot foorth buddes, we are assured that sommer draweth neare. So when we heare of warres,Math. 24.6.7 rumours of warres, pestilence, famine and earth-quakes, then are we to know that the end of the world draweth neare.
Troubles.
GReat are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord riddeth them out of them all,Psalm. 34.19 and in the meane space comforteth them in the middest of their troubles, that they may be able to becomme instrumentes of comfort to others,2. Cor. 1.4. and able to cheare others in their affliction, by that comfort which they them selues receiued of god.
Trumpet.
WHen we heare the trumpet sound out aloud, to giuegive souldiers and seruitors warning to prepare and put them selues in a readinesse for that which they are appoynted for: Then are ministers to remember, howe much they shoulde strayne their voyces, and how loude they shoulde cry,Esay. 58.1. both to Princes and people, to shewe them the daungers that are iminent and at hande for their sinnes. As the Trumpeter that is set to watch for the comming of his enemies, is guilty of the bloud and death of his Citizens and people, if through his negligence and for want of warning by his trumpet the enimy steale vppon them, and make slaughter and hauock of them at vnawares: so the ministers of the word also, if the people without continuall admonition and calling vponupon to repent, do perish in their sinnes. If the trumpet should giuegive an vncertaine sounde, it should not profite: for so the souldier shoulde not be warned, to prouide for the battell: euen so the tongues which the people vnderstande not are not profitable to be spoken withal in the church.1. Cor. 14.8.9 And by the sounde of the Trumpete, wee are warned to hearken after, and to looke for the sound of the last trump at the noyse of the which,1. Cor. 15.25 the dead shall rise incorruptible and we shall be chaunged.1. Thes. 4.6
Treasure.
THe gathering of treasur…, by deceitfull tung and speeche is a vanity: euen so delighting men,Prou. 2.6. and as commonly exercised of men that seek their own destruction, as the tossing of a tennice bal. As in treasure howses or store-howses, men keepe all manner thinges to serue their purposes: so God keepeth in store, weapōs of his wrath to reuenge him self vponupon the wicked,Ierem. 50.21 for the iniury and violence done to his Church. Treasure that by some occasion hath bene long and closely hid,Math. 13.24. It is a rare matter to find it: which sheweth how few there be, that vnderstand and know of the ritches of the kingdome of God. And as the man that findeth the treasure, can not iustly enioy the same, except at his great charge, he first straine him selfe to purchase the soile. So heauenly riches cannot bee had but of them, which (if neede so require) can be content to forgoe all their worldly wealth for it.2. Cor. 4.7 As great and ritch treasure is many times hid in an homely earthen vessell: So it pleaseth God to put the precious knowledge of him selfe, and his truth into pore, weake, and fraile men.
Vapour.
AS vapours appeare for a little while, and afterward vanisheth quite out of sight: So the life of man is quickly vanished and gone.
Vessell.
A vessell howe profitable soeuer it hath beene to the owner, and how necessary for his turn, yet when it is broken it is throwne awaye and regarded no longer, which is a plaine image and an expresse forme of a man forsaken of those,Psalm. 31.12. whose friend he hath beene so long as he was able to stand them in steede. As in a great howse there be many vesselles of sundry sortes, to diuers vses, not only of gold and siluer, but also of wood and earth:2. Tim. 2.20 21. some for honour, some for dishonour: so in the outward society of the Church, there bee men of all sortes appointed for diuers endes: wherefore we are diligently to looke about vsus, that we may bee vesselles apt and meete for the Lorde,1. Pet. 3.7. being prepared for eueryevery good worke. A vessell, the weaker it is, the more it is to be fauored and spared, if we will hauehave it continue: so a woman, because of her infirmityes, is much to be borne withall.
Vine.
AS a vine when the fences thereof are broken lieth open to the waste, and is spoyled of eueryevery beast of the feelde: so the people and church of God,Psalm. 8.12 13. when for their sinnes God seemeth for a time to withdraw his protection and defence, is subiect to the iniuries & violence of all sorts of the wicked. A vine planted which neither for choise of good groūd, neither for any other thing, which the hand of the husbandman might do to it, can iustly complaine of any want, and yet deceiueth the husbandmans expectation, and maketh him to loose both paine and cost, expresse the vnkindnesse of people oft times, who woulde be couuted for the people of God, and whome God hath diligently called to the knowledge of himselfe by the preaching of the worde,Esay. 5.1.2 and yet proceede in impiety and vngodlines. Of the shredings of the vine commeth no profit, neither can they serue for any other vse but for ye fire:Ezech. 15.1 2.3.4.5.6.7 so those whom God cutteth & casteth of from his church, can serue for none other end, but for the hell fire. A Vine representeth to vsus Christe, the braunches representeth Christians.Iohn. 15.1.2.3.4.5.6. As branches can not bring foorth fruite except they abide in the Vine: so Christians cannot bring foorth fruits of righteousnesse, except they abide in Christ. The husbandman or dresser of the Vine, representeth to vsus God the father. For as the vine-dresser cutteth of euerye braunche that bringeth not foorth fruite, and letteth it wither, and maketh a fire of it: so God doth cut of fruitlesse Christians, and throwe them into hel fire. And as the vine-dresser doth purge the fruitfull braunches, that they may bring foorth more fruite: so God by diuers meanes doth purify and clense his children, that they may be the more fruitfull.
Virgin.
CHriste, by the parable of the fiue wise, and of the fiue foolish Virgins, teacheth vsus how profitable and good it is for vsus,…ath. 25.1.2 ….5.6.7.8.9 ….11.12. if we watch and bee prepared against his comming againe in glory. And again, how dangerous it is if we be a sleepe, and vnprepared at his comming.
Viniger.
VIniger is as bad and hurtfull to the Teeth, as smoake is to the eyes: and yet more hurtfull then eyther of both,…ou. 10.26. is a slouthfull seruant to him yt sendeth or setteth him about any busines.
Viper.
AS Vipers broode destroyeth them that breede them: So generally the children of them that murthered the prophetes,Math. 3.7. Math. 23.33 and shewed cruelty to the saints of God, fulfill the measure of their fathers, and are vnmercifully bent against al those that seeke their life and saluation.
Wages.
WHen men receiue the wages which they earne:Rom. 6.23. then let them take heede least they earne at Gods hand by sinning: for the wages of sinne is death.
Way.
AS oft as wee walke in the high wayes, and common pathes,Psalm. 25.4 we shoulde call to God to direct vsus in his ways, and to guid vsus in his paths, for the way of the wicked is as daungerous to walk in,Ierem. 23. as an exceeding slipperye way to them that walk in the dark. Yet it is very broade, and well beaten,Math. 7.13 & meruailous many tread it, though it lead to destruction. As oft as we walke to a place,Iohn. 14.6. whether leadeth no more wayes but one, we shold remember that Christ is the onelyonly way to heauen, and that no man can come to the Father but by him.
VVall.
A Wall when it beginneth to bowe, or is shaken will shortly fall:Psalm. 62.3. euen so ruinous is the seate of the wicked, howsoeuer it seemeth to be. A whited or painted Wall, the brauery whereof, serueth for no profite, but for a meere shewe, seteth foorth the profite that commeth to the common wealth by those iudges,Acte. 2.3 which sitting in place of Iustice, doe wrong to men contrary to the lawes.
VVaights.
TO buy by an heauier waight, & to sell by a lighter, is abhominable in the eyes and sight of God.Prou. 20.10.
VVaste.
AS soile that hath lyen long waste, by good husbandrye is rid and often broughte to flowrish with corne or grasse: so the Churche of God after long persecution,Esay. 35.1.2. Is by the power and goodnesse of God, brought againe to a flourishing estate.
Warre.
CIuill dessension and warre, is commonly by Gods iust iudgement sent into those landes for their sinnes,…say. 19 2. which he wil afterward destroy and bring to desolation in short time. The roote and welspring of all contentions & warres grow from our corrupt lusts and affections,Iames. 4.1 that fight and striue in our members. Upon stubborn trāsgressors of Gods law, God will sende a sword to auenge the quarell of his couenaunt,Leuit. 26.25. And when they flye into their City, he will send pestilence among them, and they shall bee deliuered into the hande of their enimy. In warre peace is to be offered, and to bee perfourmed to them which peaceably yeelde themselues,Deut. 10.1… and are content to become Tributaries. If we be of great skill in warlike affayres,Psalm. 144.1. we are to blesse God, who teacheth our handes to fight, and our fingers to battell.
VVater.
SO often as we see ye waters of ye sea, we are to praise the goodnesse of the Lord,Genes. 1.9 who gathered them together on a heape, and to maruell and wonder at his power,Psalm. 3 3.7 who hath set them boundes which they may not passe, and doores and barres,Iob. 38.10. whereby they are kept within theire appointed limits, and can not returne to couer the face of the earth.Psalm. 104. As the raised waters with great raines fall sodainly with greate rage and perill of drowning to many: so are the persecutions of the Church,Psal. 124.4 if God do not miraculously rescue it from them. But though his people passe through ye waters he wil be with them,Esay. 13.4. & throgh the flouds, yet they shall not ouerthrowe them, For God maketh for them awaye in the sea, and a path in the mighty Waters. As water refresheth the thirstye, and as flouds do moysten the dry land, and make it fruitful: so God by his spirit reioyceth the people of his Church,Esay. 44.3. and powreth out aboundance of his blessinges vponupon them. As water runneth and falleth awaye, so shall all handes be weakned,Ezech. 1.17. and knees shal shrinck, when God shall punish impietie and wickednesse. As cleane water washeth and maketh cleane our bodyes,Ezech. 36.26 so the spirite of God maketh our harts and soules cleane in the eyes and sight of God. As the water of mighty floudes doe with great violence and rage flowe,Hose. 5.10. and can not be stopped: so the wrath of the Lorde commeth vppon the wicked, who peruert al lawes and all religion. A cup of water should bring to minde, that the least liberalitie that can be giuen for Gods cause, shall not scape vnrewarded at the handes of God.Math. 10.42. If he that is a thirst doth greedely and ioyfully receiue a cup of water to quench his thirst, and to ease him for a little time: how much more greedely should we receiue the water of life, whereby the thirst of our soule shall be quenched eternally.…oh. 4.14.15. As waues of water are tossed and carried away by force of wind:…ames. 1.6.7. so he that prayeth without faith, must needes be carryed of euerye forcible affection, and therefore can not looke to obtayne his peticions.
Waxe.
AS waxe melteth with the heat of the fier:Psalm. 22 14. so the hart of man fainteth with the greatnesse of troubles and tribulations.Psalm. 68.2 And as waxe melteth at the heat of the fier: so the wicked perishe at the presence of God.Mate. 1.4. For how can they abyde his presence when the great, huge, and mighty mountaynes doe melt thereat as waxe.Micah. 1.4
Webbe.
AS the Spiders webbe is now whole, and straight waies broken, almost for the least thing that may happen vntounto it: so the expectation of the wicked faileth & deceiueth them. And as of those webbes no man can make cloath to cloath him:Iob. 8.14. so they who bend their wittes to conceiue mischiefe, and whose whole labour is to bring foorth iniquity, shall not reape profit by their deuises and paines.
Weapons.
ONe Nation stirred vp against an other,Esay. 59.5.6 to execute the vengeance of God, are the weapons of Gods wrath.
Welles.
AS welles dry in the bottome,Esay. 13.4. deceiue them which seeke for water in them: So they which looke to learne a truth at the handes of false Prophets,2. …et. 2.17. are deceiued of their expectation.
VVeather.
MEn easely waxe cunning to fore-see what Weather will shortly happen by the standing of the wind, by the gathering of the clowds and by other tokens,Luke. 12.54.55.56. which as it did condemne the slouth of them which liued in the time of Christe, because they were not carefull, not diligent to marke the tokens, whereby they shoulde hauehave knowne the comming of Christ: So also it will condemne vsus, if we marke not, neither obserue the tokens of the Seconde comming of Christ.
Wheat.
WHeat except it be sowed in the grounde and there dye,Iohn. 12.24 and not spring againe, and so multiply: so the knowledge of those benefits which we hauehave by Christe after his death, encreased, grewe, and multiplied throughout the whole world.
Wicked.
WHen we see wicked men, whose whole delight is in wickednesse, and all whose studyes are vanitie and abhomination, then we may well conclude that these men hauehave sayde in their hartes,Psalm 14.1.53. ver. 1. that there is no God.
Widow.
WHen we see a Widow in extreame griefe for the losse of her husband and of her children,Esay. 47.9. because she is now destitute of all helpe & comfort: then let vsus remember, that such griefe and affliction God will bring vponupon all those, which when they flourishe and are in prosperitie, are proud and vnmercifull. The continuall weeping of a Widow, Lamen. 1.1.2.forsaken of all her friendes, representeth to vsus the wofull estate of a Citie destroyed and desolate.
VVife.
HE that findeth a good Wife, findeth a good thinge,Prou. 18.22.19. ver. 14. and receiueth fauour of the Lorde. Houses and ritches descende from parentes, to their children by inheritance, but a wise and prudent Wife, is the gratious gift of the Lord.
VVildernesse.
WHen men are driuen to hide them selues in wild & desart places,Exod. 16.35 where all things are wanting yt should serue for ye necessary sustenance of man:Num 20.11. Then are they to comfort them selues with the power and goodnesse of God, who hath taught vsus by good experience, that he can and will extraordinarilye prouide for his, by giuing foode from heauen, water out of the hard rockes, by making their apparrell neither to weare nor teare,1. King. 17.6.19. vers. 8. by making rauens to feed them, by giuing extraordinary strength to endure with out meat a great time.
Winde.
AS wind sodenly passeth away with a blast: so also sodenly passeth the life of man.Iob. 7.7. As they which hauehave nothing to feed on but the wind, do famishe and pine away and so perishe:Hose. 12.1. so they which are fed with fayre promises, and set their hope and confidence in the defence of men are deceiued, and left destitute in their most need. The winde bloweth in what quarter of Heauen it listeth, and where it beginneth blowing, & where it endeth no man can tell, neither can any man deuise meanes to stop the course of it: euen with the like libertye, and with the like open apparaunce worketh the spirit of God, where and in whom he will,Iohn. 3.8. and no power nor abilitie of man is able to resist and withstand it.
Wine▪
AS new Wine will burst the vesselles, which it is put in, except they hauehave a vent: So a man desirous to heare him self,Iob. 32.19 can by no means hold his tongue. Wine is a mocker, and stronge drincke is raging,Prou. 20.1 and whosoeuer is deceiued therewith is not wise. Looke not vppon Wine when it is red,Prou. 23.31 and when it sheweth his colour in the cup, and goeth downe pleasantlie, in the ende thereof it will bite like a Serpent, and hurt like a Cocatrice. When we see men make no conscience, how they get but think al wel inough,Amos. 2.8 so they bestow some part vponupon God, and good vses, we are to remember the threatning of the Prophet against them, that drincke the wine of the condemned in the house of their God.
Wisdome.
Wisedome is better then al maner of warlike prouision and furniture.Eccles. 9.18. Yet when in Gods matters, and in matters of life to come, wee are allured and intised away by worldly wisedome and fleshly reasons: then are we to beware and take heed of consenting,Rom. 8.… because the wisedome of the fleshe is enimity against God, it is not subiect to the law of God neither can be. When we heare in the pulpit Rethoricall flowers of speach, and an ouermuch affection, and seeking to shew learning:1. Cor. 2.4.… Then let vsus call to minde that preaching ought not to be in the intising wordes of mans wisedome, but in the plaine euidence of the spirite and of power, that the faith of the hearers may rest, not in the wisedome of men, but in the power of God.
Wise.
THe rebukes of the Wise, are more profitable to be hearkened vntounto,Eccles. 7.7 then the pleasant songes and melody of fooles. The continuall vnkindnesse and vnthankfulnesse of nations, for the manifold benefites which God bestoweth vponupon them, causeth God against the day of deserued destruction, to make their wise men fooles, and to cause their wisedome to perishe from them. When we wonder that so many wise and learned men doe not know nor embrace the euident and cleare truth of the gospell,1. Cor 2.6.7 8.9.10. then are we to call to mind, that it is not the wisdome of the world, but of God, and that therefore no man can know it.…. Cor. 3.20 But he to whom God by his spirite doth reueale it. But as for all the thoughtes and conceits of the wise of this worlde, God knoweth that they are but vaine.
VVood.
Genes. 3.8WOodes that grow thick, & are meete for euil men to lurcke in, shoulde make vsus remember how great a mischiefe disobedience to God is, and that that was the firste cause that made men ashamed and afrayd to shew their face, and therefore to seeke couert to hide them in. Wood serueth to kindle and keepe fier, tale-bearers stirre vp and nourishe stryfe.Prou. 26.20. Drye wood is apt to burne, and greene wood, though not so quickly will be consumed with fier: so both strong and weake, high and low, ritch and poore, one and an other goe to wracke,Ezec. 20.47 when God punisheth impietie and wickednesse.
VVhoore.
THey that forsake their husbandes, and giuegive them selues ouer to straungers,Ezech. 23.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8 and so become cōmon Whores, do represent to vsus the state of those which leaue God & the truth, which some time they professed, and commit Idolatrye, and cleaue to superstitions.
VVomen.
WHen we behold women, we shoulde thankfully acknowledge the goodnesse of God, who prouided them to be helpes and comfortes vntounto men.Genes. 2.18. Women also thereby are admonished to be aunswearable to their creation in their doinges and dealinges.Esay. 26.17 A woman in trauaile in the middle of her sorrow cryeth in her paynes,Esay. 42.42 euen so is the estate of God his Children in the middest of persecution, and as a woman then desireth with speede to bee deliuered, so God will bee at once auenged vppon the enemies of Gods Church. As the heart of a woman faynteth and yeeldeth in trauaile,Ierem. 49.24 so the hartes of strong men faint, when God will bee enemies, afflict and scourge their countrie. And when women preuayle with men in their suites by great importunitie:Luke. 18.7. Then are we to remember, that by prayer without ceasing, we shall obtayne our requestes of God.
Wordes.
WHen we see men giuen to bee full of wordes and delighted with much prating: then let vsus remember that in many wordes there can not want iniquitie,Prou. 10.19 and that for eueryevery idle word that scapeth vsus,Math. 12.36 wee shall bee called to account at the last day. Howbeit, hee that sinneth not in worde, must needes bee a perfect man,Iames. 3.2. and well able to bridle his affections.
Wormewood.
THe bitternesse of Wormewood representeth to vsus the bitternes of affliction and oppression.Lamen. 3.19 Amos. 5.7 Iudgement is as bitter as wormwood when a man by it is vntruely oppressed and condemned.
Wrestler.
IF they which runne or wrestle for the best game, doe of their owne accorde abstain from all thinges, which may eyther make them short winded, or hinder their lightnesse, strength, or nimblenesse:1. Cor. 9.25 much more then we should willinglye cast of and abstaine from all those things, which might hinder vsus in the way and course of euerlasting life. The wrestler obtaineth not the crowne or garland, exeept he striue for it according to the lawes of wrestling:1. Tim. 2.5. so ministers are not to looke for any rewarde, except they doe their diligent endeuour,2. Tim. 2.5 to do their duties faithfully.
Wolues.
WOlues breaking into a flocke of sheepe, deuouring some, & scattering the rest: doe resemble false Teachers, which creepe into the church of God,Act. 20.29 and bring to destruction those whom they can allure within compasse of their nets, and deuide and seperate the rest by dissention and debate.
World.
SUch safety as sheepe hauehave amongest wolues, such must the Ministers of God looke for in this Worlde. Math. 10.10For the louelove of the World, and the louelove of God can not abyde togeather in one and the same man.1. Iohn. 2.15. But this is the comfort of the children of God,1. Iohn. 2.17. that the World with all the desires thereof shall passe away, but they that seeke to fulfill the will of the Lorde, shall abide and endure for euer.Iohn. 15.18 If the Worlde therefore hate vsus, it is no matter: it hated Christ first. And there is one and the same cause of hating, both because Christ and all his true followers do witnesse vntounto the Worlde, Iohn. 7.7.the wickednesse of their workes. For it is a continuall worke of the spirite, in all those which are therewith endued, to conuince the worlde of sinne.Iohn. 16.8. Whosoeuer therefore ioyneth in friendship with the world,Iames. 4.4 foorthwith becommeth the enemy of God. LoueLove not then the world,1. Iohn. 2.15 nor the thinges that are in the world. For if any man louelove the worlde, the louelove of the Father is not in him.
Woork-men.
AS oft as we paye Woork-men their hire, we shoulde thinke,Math. 10.10. how much better doe they which labour in the Church of God, for the saluation of our soules, deserue the reward allotted and appoynted them for their paines, and therefore we should gladly bestow it.
Wormes.
THe Palmer Worme, the canker Worme, the Grashopper, the Catterpiller, and such like, deuouring the fruites of the earth:Iob. 1.4. doe inuite and stirre vsus to repentaunce, seeing they are sent of God to plague vsus for our sinnes. When we take small Wormes in our handes,Actes. 12.23 then we are to remember, that God needeth no greater nor mightier souldiers, to tame the proudest Prince vponupon the earth.
Yokes.
WHen we see cattell and Horses, strong, yong, and wanton breake their Yokes and bandes:…erem. 5.5. then we are to consider the great estates of this world, who being exalted in honour, and aboundding in wealth, though they knowe the waye of the Lorde, and the iudgements of their God, yet can not submit their neckes to the yoke of the Lorde, or be subiect to his discipline: yet is his yoke very sweete,Math. 11.30 and the burthen which he layeth vppon his very light. When wee see yokes very strong,Actes. 15.10 28. great, and heauy, combersome for cattell to beare: Then are wee to remember, to giuegive God thankes for his greate mercy to vsus Christians, in deliuering of vsus, and setting free from the yoke of the Law.
FINIS.
End of the text · Clergy George Wither, An ABC for Laymen (1585)