An ABC for Laymen, Section 103 – Section 157
Fruite.
THe dangers that proceeded to our first parents, by the view of the fruite of the Tree of knowledge of good and bad,Genes. 3.6 shoulde admonish vsus how daungerous a thing it is, to giuegive libertye to our sences to iudge, and then to followe oure owne iudgement & reason in any matter, wherein God hath once pronounced sentence. The Church of God shall growe and be fruiteful,Esai. 27.6.9 and the world shall bee filled with the Fruite thereof, and this is the faire and pleasaunt Fruite, that it shall bring foorth, namely, that the iniquitie of Iacob shalbe purged, and all his sinne put away. As the goodnes and badnes of trees is discerned by the goodnes & badnes of their fruits:Math. 7.16. so men, especially such as take vponupon them to bee teachers of others, are discouered by their well or euil doings. And as the Fruit cannot be good except the tree bee first good: So from the euill heart of a wicked man,Math. 12.33 nothing that is good in the eies & sight of God can proceede. Good ground, which when it is tilled and sowed, bringeth forth Fruite plentifully,Math. 13.23 is an image and representation of those which receiue the worde preached gladly, beleeue it stedfastly, and expresse it in life accordingly. In the Law the offering of the first fruits, all the Fruites of the earth were sanctified:1. Cor. 15.20. so by Christ, the first Fruites of them that slepe, the promise of the rising againe of our bodies to life euerlasting, is to vsus confirmed and assured. Nothing is iudged fruitefull but that which bringeth foorth Fruite plentifully: so it is not one or two good thinges,Phillip. 1.11. whereby wee must bee iudged good Christians, but we must be filled with the Fruite of righteousnesse.
Freendes.
HE that will hauehave freendes must shewe him selfe freendly, that his freendes may thinke that hee esteemeth and setteth store by them:Prou. 18.24 17. verse. 17.27. ver. 9.10 For a sure freend is more to bee esteemed and set by, then the neerest Kinseman that is: for the louelove of suche a freende is at all times shewed, and his heartye Counsayle doth reioyse the heart: Therefore him that hath beene thy Fathers freende and thy freende, forsake thou not.
Frogges.
FRogges was one of the great plagues, wherewith God plagued Ggipt,Exod. 8.3. there was neither feelde nor house free: For what place coulde they be kept out of,Psal. 105.30. when the kinges priuy chamber was annoyed with them.
Foxes.
THe foxes excell in subtilty and shifts, wherein false Prophetes and corrupt teachers doe rightly resemble them. The foxes hauehave hoales and boroughes in the grounde,Ezech. 13.4 where to repose them selues and their yong ones,Math. 8.20 but the Sonne of man hath not of his owne, where to rest his heade. They therefore, that pretende to followe Christe, and yet seeke them selues, and their own benefite, profite and commodity, looke to bee in better estate then their master, and often times being deceiued, chaunge their course.
Gayne.
GReedinesse of gaine troubleth the house of the couetous person,Pro. 15.27. and often bringeth him selfe in daunger. For they which will be rich fal into temptation and snares,1. Tim. 6.9. & 10. and into many foolish and noysome lustes, which drowne men in perdition and distruction. For the desire of mony is the roote of all euill:1. Tim. 3.3 It maketh men erre from Faith, and pearce themselues through with sundry sorrowes. Therefore filthy lucre is to bee fled from and shunned of all men, but especially of the ministers of the worde.
Gawle.
THe bitternesse of affliction of the soule of the godly,Lam. 3.3.19 when the Church and people of God is cruelly persecuted of the vngodly, is like vntounto the bitternesse of Gaul:Actes. 8.23 So also is the impiety, and wickednesse of the heart of the vngodly.
Gardens.
WHen we recreate our selues in our Gardens, the liberality of God present: is thankfully to be considered,Genes. 2.8 by occasion whereof, we are to call to minde howe pleasaunt that Garden was, which God him selfe planted and placed our first father in, and with how great vnkindnesse and ingratitude God was recompenced a gaine, whereby both Adam and wee euer since hauehave beene depriued of so greate felicity and happinesse.
Girdle.
AS a man girdeth himselfe with his Girdle: so God tieth his people to himselfe.Ierem. 13.11. And as a souldier girdeth his armour to his body with his arming Girdle, Ephesi. 6.14that his armour doe not hang loose or fall of from him: so must wee our spirituall armour, with the Girdle of trueth.
Giant.
AS a Giant is too strong for mean men of middle size, & as his voyce and looke is fearfull to such enemies:Esay. 42.23 so will God be to all such as rise vp against him. This is a speciall comfort to all those that for Gods cause are assayled of wicked men,Ierem. 2.11. and therefore are assured that God will stick to them to defend his owne cause, and ouert…w their persecutors.
Glasse.
SUch difference as there is betwixt vewing of a man in a darke or dimme Glasse, and the sight of him face to face in a bright day:…. Cor. 13.12. so much difference is there betwixt our present knowledge of God in this life, and that which shall be in the life to come. As he that looketh his bodily face in a Glasse, and by and by departeth away about other businesse,Iam. 1.23.24 25. and forgetteth his fashion and forme: such are the forgetfull hearers of the word, which neuer practise that which is taught them. But as a man may the better both spie his spots that he may wash them, and also set his attier in the better order about him, if for that purpose he diligently veiwe him selfe in a glasse: so he that is carefull to auoyd that which he shoulde not doe, and to execute that which he ought to do, hath very great helpe by hearing the Word, and printing of it in his mind.
Golde.
THe godly are tryed of God by tribulation,Iob. 23.10. and come foorth like tryed Golde out of the Fier. Wisdome cannot be bought with gold or any earthly treasure,Iob. 28.15.16.17 of what price soeuer it be. The worde of the Lorde giueth Wisedome to the simple, and therefore is more to bee disired then golde,Psal. 19.7.10. yea, then much fine golde. It is better to vsus then thousands of Golde and siluer. The Church of God, when it is afflicted by persecution, is like dimme golde,Psal. 116.72 which though it bee fine, hath lost his glorious brightnesse and shining colour.Lamen. 4.… Though wicked Cities hauehave neuer so great heapes of golde and treasure, yet God in his good time shall spoile them.Zachar. 3.4 That golde will abide the fire and passe through the more pure:2. Cor. 3.12 14. teacheth vsus that wee shoulde builde vppon Christ, that which will abide the triall of the word. Gold though neuer so well tried and pure, yet in continuance wasteth and corrupteth. But faith approoued by good triall, endureth to the appearing of our Lorde Iesus. Wee are not redeemed by gold or any corruptible thing of what price soeuer,1. Pet. 1.7. but by the bloud of the vndefiled and vnspotted lamb Iesus Christ.1. Pet. 1 18.19 Gold that lieth in the coffers till it be rusty and canker fretted, shal be a witnes against wicked and couetous hoorders at the last day:Iames. 5.8. and a cause to encrease their torments.
Goates.
AS often as we see Goates, we should remember the miserable estate of them that Christ shal place at his left hand in the day of iudgemēt, and the terrible sentence of condemnation which shall bee pronounced against them: which should make vsus feareful of encurring the like, and carefull to liue heere, so as that there wee may be acquited and discharged of that sentence.
Graffing.
WHen wee graffe or see others graffing,Rom. 6.5. we shoulde consider that as the graffe is translated from his natiue tree, to growe in another: so we, as many as be true Christians, are translated from Adam to Christe, and from beeing Gentiles,Rom. 11.17. to be of one body, with the posterity of Abraham: that as the graffes nowe liueth not by his naturall iuice, but by the iuice or moisture receiued from the roote of the stock, whereinto he is graffed: So we now liue by the power of Christes spirit working in vsus, or rather Christ liueth in vsus. And as to that end we graffe, yt the verdure of the stock may correct and amend the taste of the fruit, that it may be the more pleasant to the eater: so we shoulde hauehave our corruptions corrected and amended by Christ and his spirite working in vsus, that we may better taste to God.
Grapes.
AS eueryevery man that eateth sower Grapes, his owne teeth shall bee set on edge: So shall eueryevery one that committeth iniquity dye,Iere. 31.30. not for others, but for his own sin. When Grapes be full & ready for the presse, who knoweth not that vintage is at hande:Ioel. 3.13. So, when wickednesse aboundeth, Gods vengeaunce cannot be farre of.
Grasse.
THough the wicked flourish like the grasse or greene hearbe,Psal. 37.2. yet quickly shall hee bee cut downe and wither away. Hee shall bee like the grasse on the house toppe,Psal. 129.6.7. which for lack of roote withereth afore it can growe vp to be mowed, or to any other good vse: So is also the flourishing prosperity of such cities & lands, as by manifolde wickednesse prouoke Gods wrath and indignation against them.Esay. 37.27. The godly therefore, are to be of good comfort, and not to feare any mortall men:Esay. 51.12. for, as withered grasse, so shall they bee shortly.
Graues.
GRaues, vponupon which lye fayre stones, costlye engrauen with imagery, and hauing inscriptions in brasse, and the armes of them that lie in them faire set forth,Math. 23.27. &▪ 28. and blazed by heraulds cunning, hauing within them nothing but a rotten stincking carrion: doth plainly set out hypocrisy before our eyes, which outwardly beareth a glorious shew and inwardly is most foule, filthy, and loathsom. The graue alwayes crauing for more, and neuer satisfied,Rom. 3.13. is an euident and a plain patterne of the vnsatiablenesse of the throtes of the wicked.
Grashopper.
GRashoppers shoulde make vsus fearefull obstinately and stubbernly to withstand God as Pharaoh did,Exod. 10.14.15. least by Grashoppers he consume all the greene things that the earth bringeth foorth for our necessary sustenaunce.Esay. 40.22. Further, the great and mighty vponupon the earth are in comparison of him, but as Grashoppers.
Greefe.
WIsedome is not gotten without griefe, neyther can knowledge bee encreased without labour,Ecclesi. 1.15 and sorrow.
Ground.
A Waste Grounde broken vp, and rid of those thinges, wherewith it was ouergrown, and the fruitefulnesse thereof hindered,Esai. 35.1.2 and by good husbandry brought to florish and to be fruitefull, expresseth the state of the Churche, when after persecution it pleaseth God to sende peace and prosperity thereto.
Guestes.
BY Guestes, which when they bee bidden to a banquet refuse to come,Math. 22.5.6 7. or euill entreat the messēgers that are sent for them, & so make them selues vnworthy of the good cheere which was prouided for them: we vnderstād how iustly God hath depriued the Iewes of the knowledge of his trueth,Luk. 14.9.10 and how deseruedly all frowarde refusers of his graces offered, are by him reiected and cast off. As it is honesty for a man when he is bidden to a feast, to be remooued hier, then hee proffereth to sitte, rather then to be remooued lower:Luke. 14.13.14. So humility in our dealinges bringeth honour and estimation. Also, when wee bid Guests, wee are to bid them that can not recompence vsus againe, if wee will hauehave recompence at the hand of the hiest.
Giftes.
GIftes great and liberall or rather magnificent, which great princes in their triumphs after conquestes are wont to bestowe vponupon their captaines and seruitors,Ephe. 4.8.11 shoulde make vsus thankfully to recorde the liberality of Christe in his glorious and triumphant ascention, not onelyonly in all other spiritual & heauenly gifts: but especially in furnishing his church with teachers.Prou. 22.14. Gifts giuen in secrete pacifieth anger, & seasonablie they stoppe and cease greate wrath.Exod. 23.8. But the receyuer had neede to take heede: for Giftes blindeth the eyes of the Wife,Esay. 1.23. and peruerteth the wordes of the righteous. And he that loueth gifts & hunteth after rewardes is nexte Coosen to a theefe.
Haile.
AS a mighty tempest and storm of great hailstones where they fail, doe beate downe and destroy,Esay. 28.2. all the fruites of the earth: so, the armies and hostes of men, which God stirreth vp to plague any people withall, doe beare downe and destroy all before them.
Hammer.
WHen we see smithes with their Hammers beat out the yron and steele, and frame it to that fashion,Iere. 15.20. that they will hauehave it: and again, when we see ye freemasons do the like vponupon hard stones: Then are we to remember of howe much greater force they be, whome God vseth as his hammers to breake down and to destroy kingdoms and nations withall.Iere. 50.23. Further, we are to consider the almighty power of God, who can also break downe and destroy them that hauehave beene hammers to the whole world.
Hande.
THe breadth of our hand shoulde teach vsus the shortnesse of our dayes.Psal. 39.5. Our hands are weakned, and our hearts melt within vsus, when God will hauehave vsus ouercome of our enimies:Esay. 13.7. example hereof hauehave we in them of Iericho, when the spies which Ioshua sent,Iosua. 2.11. came thither. Friendes and other commodities earthly, though they bee as necessary, and can as hardly bee spared as our hands, yet if they hinder and stop vsus in our right course to life eternall,Math. 5.30. or allure or entise vsus into the snares of death and hell, are to be renounced, forsaken and cast off.
Harpe.
HArpes & other instruments of musick,Psalm. 33.2 which God of his greate liberality hath giuen vsus to recreate our spirites by, ought to be vsed to set out the praises of our God. The harpe, if it make a confused noise and giueth no distinct sounde, it delighteth not, it recreateth not, because no man can tell what it is that is plaide: so he that speaketh in the Churche in a language which other men vnderstand not,1. Cor. 14.7.5 cannot edify, because men vnderstand not what he speaketh.
Haruest.
WHen we see men that hauehave great Haruests, seeke carefully for laborers and many times want:Math. …9.37 38. then we are to remember how much greater Gods haruest is, and what wonderfull want of labourers is therein, and therefore we ought earnestly, to pray to the Lorde of the haruest, who alone can remedye that matter, to thrust our Labourers into his Haruest. Further, Haruest shoulde make vsus remember, howe greate a blessing of GDD it is to ministers, when GOD hath made the people ripe and ready to be reaped and carryed into the barne:Ioh. 4 37.38 and howe great an ease it is for vsus by God to be called to those places, wherein others before vsus hauehave faithfully and fruitfully laboured.
Hatred.
1. Iohn. 3.15. Iob. 5.2WHosoeuer hateth his Brother is a murderer. Yea, the foole fretteth him selfe to death through enuy. Wherefore hate not thy Brother in thy heart,Leuit. 19.17 but plainelye rebuke thy neighbour, and suffer him not to sinne. For thogh thou thinkest thy selfe to be in the light and hatest thy brother,1. Ioh. 2.9 11 yet art thou in darknesse, & walkest in darknesse thou wottest not whither, because darknesse hath blinded thine eyes.Pro. 10.12 Further hatred stirreth vp contentions, and therefore it is not lawfull for them,Mat. 5.43.44 who ought to seek to be at peace with all men, to hate their mortall enemies:Psal. 139.21 22. yet it is lawfull for vsus to hate, and that with perfect hatred the enemies of God. Also we which professe the name of Christe,Math. 10.22. are to looke for none other in the worlde, but to be hated of all men for his name sake.
Heauen.
IF man by search can not finde out the height of Heauen, Iob. 11.7 Psal. 8.3.4.5.….much lesse is it possible to attaine the perfection of God. But beholding the Heauens with the visible creatures therof, we should wonder that God woulde vouchsafe to giuegive such worship,Psal. 19.1 glory and dominion vntounto man being but earth and dust. For the Heauens declare the glorye of God, and the Firmament sheweth his handie worke.Psal. 11.4 Yet though heauen be his Palace and throne, his eyes will consider, his eye-lids will try the children of men.Psal. 113.5.6 Psal. 103.11 Though his dwelling be on high, yet he abaseth him self to behold things here belowe in earth: His mercies shewed to them that feare him,Math. 5.18 surmount the heauens in height. This heauen and this earth shall perishe and passe awaye:Esay. 65.17 but eueryevery iote and title of his worde shall be fulfilled. But God will create a new heauen and a new earth,2. Pet. 3.13. which we looke and waite for according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousnesse.Iere. 31.37 So long as man can not measure the height of heauen, nor search the foundations of the earth,2. Peter. 3.7 so long (I say) God wil neuer forsake his whole Church. The heauens that now are, and the earth are reserued by the word in store vntounto fier against the day of iudgement,Colos. 3.1 and of the destruction of wicked men. Wherefore the godly should not seeke nor sauour earthly thinges, but thinges in heauen aboue, where Christ beeing risen againe, sitteth at the right hand of God.
Hedge.
MEn Hedge their groundes round about,Iob. 1.10. to keepe them from beeing spoyled with cattell:Esay. 5.2. euen so God doth fence those which feare him rounde about, that they may be defended against all euils. And as the groundes are eaten, wasted, deuoured, and rooted vp, when the hedges and fences therof are neglected and suffered to lie open:Esai. 5.5. so fareth it with them that professe the name of God, when God prouoked with their sinnes, withdraweth his friendly defence and fatherly protection.
Heape.
WHen we see great Heapes of rubbishe, and meruailous ruines, where great and famous cities hauehave beene:Esa. 25.2. we are both to glorifie God who is of such might and power, and to fear least we by continuall prouoking of his wrath, bring our land and cities into the like case.
Haires.
Psal. 40.12.WHo can nomber the Haires of his head, but his sinnes in number farre exceedeth them: how great then ought the troubles and sorrowes of his mind and heart to be therefore. But God hath nombred all the haires of our head, which is a speciall comfort vntounto vsus,Math. 10.30. seeing his prouidence stretcheth vntounto the smallest thinges, and vouchsafeth to hauehave care of those thinges which we lest regard.
Henne.
THe Henne clocking and calling her Chickens togeather,Math. 23.37. and louingly spreading her wings to kepe them vnderunder, and to protect and defende them from all thinges that woulde iniure them and hurt them, shoulde make vsus consider, how louingly God continually by the preaching of his holy word, doth call men to the embracing of his mercy.
Helmet.
AN Helmet saueth the head of a souldier in the day of battaile:Ephe. 6.17. so saluation which commeth from L the ord, saueth and protecteth vsus frō the deadly woundes of our spiritual aduersaries.
Hartes.
THe Hartes desire the water brookes, euen so should our soules long after God.Psal. 42.1. As the Harte when he can finde no pasture is poore and bare of flesh, and voyd of strength when he is hunted and pursued:Lam. 17.5.6. so are the princes and rulers of those countries, which by the iust iudgement of God are oppressed and ouer runne with forraine nations.
Heath.
AS Heath in the dry and desolate wildernesse, where no habitation is, is apt and good for nothing, and yet easie to be consumed with fier: So the man that putteth his trust in man,Iere. 17.5.6. and maketh flesh and bloud his strength and defence, and passeth not on the Lord, shal not see any good, but shall perish together with his helpes.
Heresies.
WHen we see Sects and errours growe amongst the people,1. Cor. 11.19 then we should remember to walke the more carefullye and heedfully, because GGD him selfe appoynteth such dayes and times for the tryall of his.
Hire.
THy workemans Hire shall not abyde with thee till morning. Thou shalt giuegive him his hire for his day,Leuit. 9.13 neither shall the sunne go downe vponupon it, for he is poore and therewith sustaineth his life.Deut. 24.13 For otherwise he shall cry vntounto the lord, or rather the hire that he is defrauded of shal cry, and shall enter into the eares of the Lord.Iames 5.4
As hired seruauntes will not tend mens sheepe and cattell longer then there is mony,Iohn. 10.12 13. and profite comming to them for it: so they which serue in the Church of God, if their ende be their owne profit and promotion,Philip. 2.2 then they surely giuegive ouer and chaunge their copie, when dayes of prosperitie faile, and when stormes and persecution for the word begin to grow.
Honie.
Prou. 16.24. Prou. 24.13.14.FAyre wordes are like the Honie combe, sweetnesse to the soule and health to the bones. As Home is good, and the honie combe sweet vntounto the mouth: so also is the knowledge of wisedome vntounto the soule.
Holde.
WHen men in times of trouble and of warre are compelled to flie to hold:Nah. 1.7. then are they to remember that there is no holde so strong, as the Lord is to them which put their trust in him.
Holiday.
WHen we see our Holidayes spent and consumed in idle pastimes and belly cheare:Exod. 32.6 then are we to remember, that as the children of Israell tooke that corruption from the Egiptians,1. Cor. 10.17. so to vsus it is come from popish idolaters and idolatrous Papistes.
Hooke.
AS in fishing when the Fishe deceiued with the baite,Esay. 37.29 hauehave the Hooke in their mouthes, men draw them and make them follow whither soeuer please them: so God withdraweth mightye tyrauntes from executing their deuises, and from obtayning their enterprises.
Houses.
WHen we see wonderfull great Houses, Iohn. 14.2.3containing many roomes and costly furniture and rich aray, large and sufficient to receiue manye princes with their traines of Nobles: then are we to remember, how large a palace the house of our heauenly father is: what multitude of mansions there are, and that there is one head and captaine Christ, who in his good time will come for vsus, and bring vsus all thither where he is, for there is rome and prouision sufficient. Againe, the carefull and cleane keeping of those houses do admonish vsus, how carefully we should keepe the house of God,Heb. 3.6. whose house are we, if we holde fast the confidence and reioycing of the hope vntounto the ende.
Housholder.
AS a carefull Housholder is not onelyonly content with prouision for the present time,Math. 13.32. but prouideth a fore hande, and hath by him store of thinges needefull both olde and new, as well for his housholde as for the entertainement of his friends: so he that is a Teacher in the Church of God, ought by long study and meditation aforehande, to be throughly furnished and stored with al maner of doctrine and comforts needfull for eueryevery sort of men. The housholder that feareth theeues,Math. 24.43. wil cause his house to be diligently watched and looked vntounto, least the theefe come vponupon him at vnawares: of him we should learne to be watchfull, and to be prepared for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour, who wil come in an hour wherein he is least looked for.
Horses
WHen God by his Ministers doth teach and instruct vsus in the way that we should goe,Psal 32.8.9 Psal. 33.17. and we continue as before ignoraunt, neither vnderstand the thing which is taught vsus: then we be like Horses and Mules which muste be ruled with bitte and bridle. In battel an horse is but a vayne helpe, neyther can he deliuer his rider thorough his much strength.Pro. 21.31. For the horse is prepared against the day of battaile: but saluation is from the Lord.
Husbandmen.
AS Husbandmen that misuse their Landlord and his seruaunts which he sendeth to them for the rentes and profits of his land, are worthely and iustly thrust out & others planted in theire roomes:Math. 21.41. so wee hauehave seen the Iewes cut off from beeing the people & Church of God for misusing of Christ, his Apostles and prophets, and so assuredly shall al they be, that dispise and naught set by, and cruelly misuse and intreat the Ministers of the gospell, & the preachers of the truth which are sent vntounto them. As husbandmen waite patiently forthe fruite of the earth, & tarry for the former and latter rain:Iames. 5.7. so all Christians ought patiently to abyde and waite for the comming of our sauiour Christ.
Husbandrie.
FIeldes barren and vnpleasant, made fruitfull by paines and good Husbandrie, 1. Cor. 3.9doe shewe vntounto vsus what difference there is betwixt vsus in the time of ignoraunce, & our selues, when God by the teaching and paines of his ministers hath made vsus his husbandry.
Idlenesse.
BY slouthfulnesse the roofe of the house goeth to decaye,Eccle. 10.19 and by idlenesse of the handes the house droppeth thorough, and is neither able to keepe out winde nor raine.
Idolles.
THe images of the gentiles were siluer and golde,Psalm. 115.4. Esay. 46.7. Ierem. 2.28. so were the images of the Papistes. They were borne by men and set in their places, and so stoode and could not remooue themselues from thence.Abuck. 2.18. According to the number of their Cities and Uillages, so were the multitude of their Patrons represented by images:Esay. 44.17. They did think them bookes and teachers: They fell down afore them & made prayers vntounto them.Iosua. 23.7 They sware by the names of their Idolles. They did ascribe vntounto them help & deliuery from dangers,2. Chr. 28.23 yet could they not helpe them selues. For by Gods iust iudgement they were taken & broken down,1. King. 19.18 and destroyed and consumed by fire: so are the images of the papistes.Esay. 73.19 But there resteth a sentence of malediction, wo and curse, aswell to the image maker,Abuck. 2.19. as to all that say to wood, awake: or to stone, rise vp.
Idolatrie.
IDolaters in falling downe to images do humble them selues to hell: yet they are verye constant in their religion,Esay. 57.9. and verye rarely and seldome giuegive ouer and forsake their false Gods:Iere. 2.11. which constancie of theirs ought to make vsus ashamed of our inconstancie and coldenesse in professing the truth,Iere. 4.17.18 yea they ascribe the blessing of plentye to Idoll seruing, and penurie and miserie to the leauing of that seruice.
Ignoraunce.
WHen we see in this light of the gospell many vile and grose sinnes:Rom. 1.21.28 let vsus remember that it is the iust iudgement of God against this vnthankfull worlde, partly for that men that know him doe not glorifie him as God, and partly for that in so great and diuers meanes to know god, many hauehave had no regarde or care to know him, and therefore are giuen ouer into reprobate mindes.
Image.
WHen we enter into the Churches of Papistes, and see how they be decked with Images of all sortes,Psalm. 115.8 which notwithstanding they be well shapen, yet hauehave no maner of sence in them: then are we to remember, that by the iust iudgement of God, in sence and vnderstanding of matters pertayning to GOD and the life to come,Psal. 115.8. such as the images are, their makers are also, togeather with all them that put their trust in them.Psal. 135.18. The image makers are vanitie it selfe, and God hath shut their eies that they can not see nor vnderstand. What an absurde thing it is, when they hauehave burnt one peece of a tree to make an image of an other peece of the same,Esay. 44.9.15 17. and to bowe downe to it.
Therfore when we see them in their churches, cense their images,Esay. 42.8. knocke, kneele, and praye to them, then let vsus call to mind that God sayeth, I am the Lord,Esai. 46.6.9. this is my name, and my glory will I not giuegive to an other, neither my praise to grauen images.Acte. 17.29. For he is God and there is none other, and there is nothing like him, or whereby his likenesse may be expressed.1. Cor. 4.4 Therfore we may not imagine the Godhed to be like siluer or gold grauen or carued,Collo. 1.15. by the art & inuention of man, Christ our sauiour is the verye Image of God,Heb. 1.3. in whom God hath reuealed and made knowne him selfe, and he is the expresse forme of the fathers person.
Iudging.
WE are to take great heede, and to be very carefull in Iudging of others,Math. 7.1. and when we iudge, we are to iudge iustly, which we can neuer do,Iohn. 7.24. except we iudge by the Word, the iudgement whereof, must stand at the last day, and when we do iudge others,Iohn 12 48. we are diligently to view & consider our selues, whether the like or greater falts be not in vsus worthy reformation. For otherwise we shall both bewray our selues to be blind hipocrites,Math. 7.5 Math. 7.3. Rom. 2.1.3. & also ignorantly when we think not of it, giuegive sentēce aganst our selues as Dauid did. Besides in outward and indifferent things we must take heed how we iudge our brother,2. Sam. 5.12. Rom. 14.4.10. for he is not our seruant, he standeth or falleth vntounto his Lord, he and we all shall stande before the iudgement seat of Christ and be there iudged.
Iudges.
IUdges are adorned with the name of Gods,Psalme. 28.2▪ because they are Gods deputies amongst men, and for that cause are to be highly reuerenced of men.Exod. 22.18. wherfore such are to be chosen as are of courage, that is,Exod. 18.21 such as feare not ye face of man. Men dealing truelye and hating couetousnesse, such as in iudgement neither for pittie to the poore,Leui. 19.15. neither for reuerence to the rich decline from iustice, neither can be drawn to follow a multitude,Exod. 23.21 nor in iudgement to follow the sentence of manye to ouerthrow right, but alwaies seeke and search to giuegive true iudgement to all, as well strangers as Citizens, hauing alwayes before their eyes, that they execute not the iudgements of man,Deut. 1.16 2. Chro. 19.6 but of the Lorde, who is euer present with them in the examination and iudgement of the cause.
Iewell.
LOoke how euill a ring or Iewell of golde becommeth the filthy snowt of a swine,Prou. 11.21 that is alwayes rooting in the durt and mier: so vncomely is beauty to a woman that hath not wit nor discretion to behaue her selfe.
Iron.
AS with Iron tooles sharpe Weapons are made of Iron, so doth one Friend helpe to sharpen, encourage and enbolden the face of an other.