An ABC for Laymen, Section 246 – Section 297
Seruaunts.
THe diligence of our man-seruants,Psalm. 123.2 and maide seruaunts in attending vppon vsus, and doing their duties, vponupon hope of finding help, & friendship at our handes: is a good lesson, as well to teach vsus howe diligently we ought to be in pleasing God, and also how well content we shoulde be to tarry his leasure, for those graces & mercies which we look for at his hand. A wise seruant is a great pleasure to his Lord & master,Prou. 14 35 but a lewd seruant always prouoketh him whome he serueth to anger.Prou. 17.2. A discreet seruant, is better then a lewd sonne, & shal deuide the heritage amongst ye brethren. As impossible as it is at one and the same time,Math. 6.24. for one man to serue two diuers & sundrye masters, for yt he cannot be diligēt, & imploy him self about & vponupon the busines of the one, but hee must needs neglect the others affairs: so impossible is it for man,Math. 8.8.9. to addict him self to God & ritches. When we see our seruants at our beck and commandement, and diligent to do those things which we appoint them: then we should remēber by how better right & equity, wee, & all creatures shoulde redilye obey the voice of God our creator and of Christ our redeemer. If thy calling be to be a seruant,…. Cor. 7.21 care not, but if thou maist bee free, vse it rather. For he that is called in the Lorde to bee a Seruant, is the Lordes Free-man: But learne that the propertye of a good Seruaunt, is to giuegive all reuerence to his master, obeying him in all thinges,…. Tim. 6.1. and that in singlenesse of heart, and in the feare of the Lorde, endeuouring alwayes to please him,Collos. 3.22. yea, though he be froward, executing the trust that is committed vntounto him aswell in his masters absence as in his presence.1. Pet. 2.18. If a liberall, good and bountifull master to his seruauntes,Math. 24.45.46. can not but bee very angry and much offended, if any of them deale cruelly with their fellows,Math. 18.33 34.35. how much more iustly shall God withdrawe his mercy from them that deale vnmercifully with them that liue amongst them. If men be bountifull vntounto such seruants, whose faithfulnesse & diligence they hauehave good trial of, as wel in their absence as presence, & on ye contrary side, angry, seuere & sharp to them which deceiue their expectation, & do not answere the trust,Math. 24.45.46.47.48.49 50. which is reposed in them: how much more iustly shall God put the like difference, in rewarding or punishing, the good endeuours or negligence of them, to whome he hath committed seruices of trust in his people and Churche. As men hauehave iust cause with more sharpnesse and greater seuerity to punish those seruauntes,Luke. 12.47 48. to whome they hauehave shewed theire minde and will, and yet their businesse is neglected, then others who therefore doe it not because they knowe it not: So GOD to whome soeuer hee hath reuealed moste, and vppon whome he hath bestowed moste greatest giftes of knowledge, them, if notwithstanding they bee negligent in vsing their gifts to the profite of Gods Church, will he most seuerely and sharply aboue all other punish. Seruauntes, be they neuer so diligent in executing that which is committed vntounto them,Luk. 17.9.10. yet cannot iustly vaunt themselues, that they hauehave done any more, then bounden duety: So we then, when wee hauehave trauailed as much as for vsus is possible, yet are to confesse our selues vnprofitable seruauntes. It is an olde saying, Seruice is no heritage: Therefore, when we see seruaunts, when they hauehave serued a time,Ioh. 8.35.36. chaunge their masters, and are eyther masterlesse, or serue others: then let vsus remember that so vnstable and vncertaine is our condition in the Churche of GOD, except wee hauehave the spirite of freedome: namely, the spirite of adoption of children, and so by Christe and in Christe, be truely made free.Rom. 6.16.22.23. Men are their seruauntes, to whose commaundementes they yeelde all obedience. Therefore, if wee obey sinne, wee are the seruauntes of sinne, and our wages is death. But if we obey God, then are wee the seruauntes of obedience to righteousnesse, and our ende is euerlasting life. For the moste part, some priuate respect of commodity,Rom. 16.17▪18. and the seruice of theire owne bellies, is the cause that men stirre vp diuision, and contention in the church of God, contrary to the doctrine receiued, and deliuered vntounto vsus in the word.
Shepheard.
WHen we see Sheepe well kept, by reason that they hauehave a good,Psalm. 23.1. diligent painefull Shepheard, who carefully prouideth as well to feede them as to folde them: Then are wee to remember, that the people of God can wante nothing, because God is their shepherd. For he feedeth his,Esay. 40.10. he gathereth his Lambes, into his armes, and carrieth them in his bosom, and guideth them that be with yong. But when wee see idle shepheards, that suffer their sheepe to runne astray and to scatter and perish: Then wee are to lament the state of the church,Ierem. 23.1.2 wherein wee see such idol ministers, as these idol shepheards doe represent to abound,Ez…ch. 34.2. and if we our selues be such then are wee to tremble at the woe and heauye iudgements of the Lorde,verses. 11.19 pronounced against vsus by his prophets. God him selfe will seeke vp his sheepe,14.23.24. he wil find that which was lost, and bring again that which was driuen away. He wil bind vppe that which was broken, and will strengthen the weake: hee will cause them to lye in a good folde, and to feede in a fat pasture: hee will remedy all their euills, by setting a shepheard ouer them euen his Christ.Math. 9.36.
Shepheards, that doe but beare the name of shepheards, & shew no care of their flock, and do small or no duty to them, God shall depriue them both of strength,Zac. 11.17.13 Math. 9.36. wisedome, and iudgement. The losse of a good, diligent painfull shepheard is the discipation and scattering abroad of the sheepe.
When wee see numbers of people for want of the word in their owne parishes, doe stray and scatter abroade hither and thither to heare the word: then are we to lament this present estate, and to hauehave compassion vponupon that people, because they are as sheepe scattered and dispersed without a shepheard. The diligence of a shepheard, in seeking vp any of his sheepe,Math. 18.12.13. yt are gone astray, is an example to vsus to spare neither paine, nor diligence, to reduce them which are gone astray frō God by reason of any error. And the ioy of a shepheard in finding of his shepe again, sheweth how ioyfull the conuersion of a sinner ought to be vntounto vsus.Iohn. 10.11 Shepheards that refuse no paine nor perill, but do endanger, & that most certainly their life, do represent vntounto vsus the goodnes of our Christ, who moste frankly and freely gaue his life for vsus. When we see shepheards careful and diligent, about their flocks to feede,Iohn. 2.15.16▪17. and cherish them: then we are to call to minde, that it is the cheefe, and almost ye only means, wherby Christ doth require his ministers to testify their louelove towards him: namely, the feeding of his sheepe. It is lawfull for a shepheard that feedeth a flocke, to eat of the milk of it: Therefore it is lawfull for the ministers of the gospell to bee partners of the temporall blessings of their hearers.1. Cor. 9.7.
Sheepe.
SHeepe driuen to the shambles to be slaine, representeth to vsus the state of Gods Children and people here vponupon earth.Psalm. 44 22 Sheepe vnrulye to be driuen,Esay. 53.6. and running hither and thither astray out of the waye, shew to vsus our owne vnrulinesse and aptnesse, to straye out of those wayes which God hath appoynted for vsus to walke in. That sheepe brought to be shorne,Esay. 53.6. or to be slaine, are dumbe and open not their mouth, it representeth vntounto vsus the great and wonderfull patience of our Christ in dying for vsus,Acts. 8.32. which we are also to learne at his example. As sheepe do represent the people of God, so the good pastures and pleasaunt waters, doe represent the worde of the Lord wherewith he feedeth his, and the treading downe of the pasture,Ezech. 34.18.19. and the troubling and stirring of the water whereby it is made thicke and foule, sheweth foorth the corrupting and mingling of the word with humaine inuentions and dregges of mans braines.
Math. 10.6Sheepe in the countrie which abounde with wild beastes, lost or run astray out of the custody of their sheepheard, represent vntounto vsus the dangerous estate of mē,Math. 15.24. so long as they are not broght, or continue not vnderunder the custody and safe keeping of our Lord Iesus Christ.Mat. 12.11.2. If it be lawful on the sabboth to pull sheepe or other cattell out of a pit or ditch whereinto it is fallen, and wherin it woulde otherwise perishe: how much more is it to do good & to relieue any kinde of necessitie of our neighboure the same day. Further, the very sight of sheepe, and goates, should make vsus call to minde the state of men at the last daye of iudgement,Math. 26.32 and make vsus carefully to endeuour that the notes and markes of Gods sheepe maye be found in vsus, that we may be parteners in the sentence, come yee blessed, &c. Amongest other markes this is the principall, that as sheepe harken to the voyce of their sheepheard, so we giuegive eare to,Rom. 8.36. and obey the voyce of Christ. When we see sheepe in the butchers shop appointed for the slaughter, then are we to remember, that such is the condition of the godly in this wicked and frayle life. When we see sheepe from going astray, retourned home to their folde and flocke again: Then let vsus remember, that we lately in ye dayes of ignoraunce were astraye, and lately by the benefit of almighty God, who hath suffered the sonne of knowledge to shine amongest vsus,1. Pet. 2.25. returned to the sheepheard and bishop of our souls.
Shettle.
THE sliding to and fro of the shettle in weauing, do admonish the weauer how speedely and fast his dayes of this life do slyde away.Iob. 7.6.
Shield.
AS a shield defendeth the body from blowes and woundes,Psalm. 5.12 so the great mercy and fauour of God, defendeth those which are his from euil.
Ships.
SHips in which men are carryed in safety thorough the raging seas, shoulde make vsus remember Gods heauy iudgement vponupon the world in drowning it for sinne,Gen. 6.14.15 and to giuegive him thankes for his great mercy, that he would not vtterly destroy mankind, but taught him to frame the firste ship that euer was, for the safegarde of him selfe and his family. As a ship beeing neuer so great and huge, is turned about with a very small rudder, whither so euer it please the maister of the ship to direct it, so the the tongue though it be a small member,Iames. 3.4. oftentimes ouer-ruleth the whole body, and setteth it out of course.
Shoes.
WHen we see broomes and other thinges bartered for old shoes, then are we to detest the intollerable corruption of bribing officers, who for the price of a payre of shoes, Amos. 2.6.or such a trifle, are ready to peruert iustice, and to sell the cause of the poore which is able to giuegive him nothing. The sight of shoes shoulde cause vsus to remember how vile and base the moste excellent, and moste reuerend ministers of the Worde are, if they be compared with Christe, seeing as they are not worthy so much as to vnbuckle his shoes.Marke. 1.9.
Sicknesse.
WHen we are grieuouslie sicke, we are to call to minde the greatnesse of our sinnes.Psalm. 38.3. For if there be nothing sound in our fleshe, it is because of Gods anger: And when there is no rest in our bones, it is because of our sinnes. Yet we are with this to comfort our selues, that it is Gods louing chastisement, to the ende that we should not be damned with the worlde.1. Cor. 11.30.32. Therefore though sinne be the cause of our affliction and sicknesse, and though we be brought euen vntounto deathes doore, yet let vsus with true and vnfained repentaunce crye vntounto the Lorde,Psalm. 107.17.20. he will heale vsus and deliuer vsus from our griefes. And let vsus looke about that our vnreuerent abusing of the holy misteries of Christes body and bloud, be not a cause that many be sicke,1. Cor. 11.30. and many dye amongest vsus.
Siluer.
AS pure as Siluer is, beeing seuen tymes tryed and fined: so pure is the worde of GOD.Prou.. 2.4. With such labour and diligence as we would seeke for Siluer, and search for treasure, with the like we shoulde studye for the knowledge of God in his Worde. For the wisedome therein learned,Prou. 3.14 15. is more worth then Siluer, more gainefull then Gold, more precious then pearles, and without all comparison to be preferred before any thing which we can desire. He that loueth siluer,Eccles. 5.9. shall not be satisfied with siluer, and he that loueth ritches, shall be without the fruit thereof. Though wicked couetous men do heape siluer togeather as dust,Zach. 9.3.4 and gold as the mier of the streats, yet the Lord shall spoyle thē.
Further, the sight of siluer and golde, and such like as passing throgh the fier consume not, shold admonish vsus to endeuour that our workes maye be such,1. Cor. 3.12 13. as maye abyde the touch-stone of the Word, and the fier of Gods examination. Moreouer it was neither siluer nor golde, neither anye other earthly thing, how precious soeuer it was, that could redeeme vsus, but onelyonly the bloud of the immaculate and vnspotted lambe Iesus Christ.1. Pet. 1.18.19
Schoole-maister.
AS a Schoolemaister serueth not for his scholler continuallye, but till such time as the scholler may grow to some good abilitie to goe forward at his booke by his owne study:Gal. 3.24. So the Lorde feareth his people with his lawe, not alwayes, but till such time as they hauehave sufficiently learned to know them selues, and therefore to flie from them selues to Christ Iesu, who freeth them from the cursse and condemnation of the law.
Sleepe.
AS often as we rise from sleepe, hauing our weary limmes refreshed, and as it were reuiued, so that we feele our selues in better case and abilitie to do anye maner thing then before, so often we should remember, that death vntounto the godly,1. Thes. 4.13 14. is but a resting of their weary bodyes and bones till they rise againe, exceedingly bettered by immortalitie and glory,Prou. 20.13. and therefore termed by the name of sleepe. But louelove not sleepe, least thou come to pouerty. Open thine eyes and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.E…cles. 5.11. Sleepe is sweete to him that trauayleth and taketh paines whether he eat little or much.
Silence.
SIlence in open places, is to be obserued of women, as a token of their dutifull subiection where vnderunder God hath put them.1. Cor. 14.34 Men also ought to be swift to heare, and slow to speake, for in much speaking,Iames. 1.19. sinne cannot be wanting.
Smoake.
AS Smoake vanisheth and commeth to nothing, so the wicked and vngodly perish at the presence of God.Psalm. 68.6 As smoake vanisheth and passeth away,Esay. 51.6. so heauen and earth and all that in them is, shal vanish and passe away.
Sparrow.
IN time of persecution, when we cannot be suffered to frequent the assemblies of those, which truly serue the Lord. The state of the poore sparrow or swallow, which are there suffered to build their nestes and hauehave their young, seeme to vsus more happy then our owne, so great a desire hauehave we (if we be godly) to be with them among whō or at whose meeting, Christ hath bound himselfe by his promise to be present. The sale of sparrowes, and such other small birdes in markets or other places, shoulde bring to minde, that seeing these fell not,Math. 10.29 nor were caught without the prouidence of God, it can not be, but that he, whose prouidence extendeth and stretcheth to such smal thinges, should also hauehave a speciall care, regarde, and eye to those that are his.
Speaking.
AS it were a madnes, or at the least a great folly for one man in communication with an other,1. Cor. 14.9.11. to speake in a tongue which the other vnderstandeth not: so is it much more for a man to speake to a multitude, or a whole congregation in that sort or order. And where God graunteth not to people to hauehave his word so spoken and preached vntounto them that they may vnderstand, it is a manifest token of his anger and wrath against them for their vnbeliefe.verses. 21.21
Spottes.
AS spottes deface the things they light on, which ought to be cleane: so false prophets and false brethren, defile, and staine the societye and felowship of Christians.Iude. 1.12.
Snaile.
AS a Snaile melteth and consumeth to slime and earth:Psalm. 59.… so shal God consume the wicked and bring them to naught.
Snares.
WHen we see diuers and sundry snares and engines set for beastes,Ierem. 48.44 vermine and foules, and we see those that hauehave escaped diuers, in the ende to be trapped in one or other: then are we to remember, that though some wicked doe at times seeme to escape the heauie iudgements of God, yet in the end they shall be snarled.
Sodome.
WHen we here, read, or by any means remember the heauy, fearefull, and terrible iudgements of God vponupon Sodome and Gomorrha, and the places adioyning,Math. 10.14 15. which God destroyed with fier and brimstone from heauen: Then are we to looke about, and to consider what and how much more intollerable estate and condition remayneth for vsus, if we continue contemptuous refusing and misusing the messengers of God now sent to vsus.
Sunne.
WHen we see the sunne shine in his full brightnesse and beauty, then we are to remember that, that light is but for a season. But that God which is for euer and euer is the euerlasting light of his Church.Esay. 60.19.20. But in the meane season, the constant course of the Sunne, accordinge to the appointmente of God in the beginning,Psal. 104.19. Psal. 136.8.9. teacheth vsus our obedience to our creator. That the Sunne staide his course in the dayes of Ioshua,Ios. 10.13. that it returned backwarde in the dayes of Ezechias, and that it withdrewe his lighte at noone daies,Esay. 38.8. in the death and passion of our Lord and sauiour, sheweth the glory and omnipotency of God,Mark. 15.23. who canne whensoeuer it pleaseth him, chaunge the whole course of nature, and make it serue whatsoeuer turn pleaseth him.
Souldier.
A Souldier taketh wages of them for whome he fighteth and goeth on warfare: Therefore a minister of the gospell,1. Cor. 9.7. may lawfullye receiue maintenaunce at the handes of them to whome hee preacheth the gospell. A Souldier, if hee be not shod but barefooted, shall quickly bee surbated, and vnable to trauaile. A Christian not hauing the gospell of peace cannot endure. As it is an absurdity for a souldier, to put himself into the field naked, without armour, and Weapon, aswell to strike the enimy as to defend him selfe: so also is it always necessary for a Christian to be armed at all points:Ephes. 6.15 16.17. especially, to hauehave the sheelde of Fayth, the helmet of saluation, the swoord of the spirit which is the worde.
A souldier pressed foorth to the warres,2. Tim. 2.4. entangleth not him self in other ciuill affayres. Wherby Ministers which be Gods souldiers learne, that they should keepe them selues free, from all such thinges as might hinder them from their calling.Luke. 3..14. Finally, souldiers should learne to leaue spoyling, pilling and polling, and to content them selues with their owne wages.
Sonne.
BY the two Sonnes, whereof one promised to doe his fathers will, and yet did it not: the other refused to doe it,Math. 21.28.29.30.31. and yet after repented him of his stubbornnesse, and did it: We learne that there is greater hope of the conuersion of open and notorious sinners, then of close hipocrites, who vnderunder a fayre shew, deceiue them selues and others.
Sower.
THe yearely necessity of sowing, whereby the sustenaunce of man is euerye yeare renued, doth well shewe vntounto vsus the necessitie of preaching,Math. 13.3.19.20. without the which it is as vnlikely for our soules to be preserued to life euerlasting, as it is for our bodyes in this lyfe to continue without any ordinary prouision.
Standarde.
AS good souldiers to their Standarde, so all faithfull are appoynted to flock to Christ.Esay. 11.11.12
Starres.
SO bright and so glorious as one starre appeareth aboue an other: so much shall the state and condition of our bodyes at their resurrection, excell the state and condition that they are now in, during this time of mortallitie.1. Cor. 15.41 False Prophets for their giftes of knowledge and vtteraunce thinke them selues, and are thought of others, to shine bright like starres: but yet as shipmen can not guide them selues by wandering starres without danger of shipwracke, their course is so vncertaine and wandering:Iud. 5.1.13. so no Christian can without assured destruction make those Prophets his guides, for that they stay not them selues, vponupon the onelyonly and infallible rule of truth.
Southsayers
WHen we be prouoked or counselled to seeke to southsayers or fortune-tellers, then let vsus remember,Esay. 44.25. that God will destroye the tokens of the southsayers, and make them that coniecture fooles.Esay. 47.10.11. He will also destroy them sodainly and vnawares, who trust and thinke to be foretold of all thinges by their southsayers. Therefore let all such as to take vppon them to deceiue others be put to death,Leuit. 20.27 so shall their bloud be vppon their owne heades.
Stumbling.
WHen we see men through rechlesnesse, and for want of heed taking, stumble and fall at that, which if they had giuen but a little heede, they might easely hauehave auoyded:Rom. 3.3 Then are we to remember, that euen Christ him selfe to some is a stone to stumble at,Math. 11.6.18. ver. 6.7. but happy are they that stumble not at him. Howbeit we must carefully take heed that we in vsing of our liberty, giuegive none occasion of offence of stumbling or falling vntounto our weake brother.Rom. 14.13. Our liberty standeth in vsing or refusing, at our owne choyce outward thinges, left free vntounto vsus by God, and the Magistrates put in authority vnderunder him, for the things of this life are subiect to their commandements.
Stewarde.
THe vniust steward making his maisters debtors his friendes which will be liberall, imparting to them his maisters goods, teacheth vsus by being liberall of that wherwith God blesseth vsus,Luke. 16.2.3 4.5.6.7.8.9 to the poore, to prouide for life after this, because God doth accept as don vntounto him yt, which is bestowed vponupon them. The sight also of Stewards or factors disposing of their masters goods to his gaine, should cause vsus that be Ministers to remember, that the secreates of God, and misteries that concerne the saluation of man, are committed to vsus to dispose, and that God doth looke for it at our handes, that we shoulde be diligent and faithfull disposers of them.
Storke.
THe Storke and other foules, know their appoynted times of their comming and withdrawing them selues,Ierem. 8.7. but they which beare the name of God vponupon earth, and professe to be his people, vnderstande nor know not his iudgements.
Straungers.
AS straungers and trauailers abstaine in the Countries where they are straungers, from many thinges which woulde but hinder them in their voyage: so we in our passage through this world, shoulde abstaine from the lustes of the fleshe, which hinder our soules from life euerlasting.1. Pet. 2.11.
Stubble.
AStrologers, star-gasers, Prognosticators, shall be as stubble, the fier shal burne them, they shall not be able to deliuer their owne liues from the power of the flame. As stubble also, shal God make them which persecute his people,Isay. 47.14. …bad. vers. 18. Nahum. 1.10 and shall raise a flame amongst the persecuted, to consume their persecutors. Stubble, straw, and haye, and such like, quickly consumed by fier, doe admonishe vsus to looke to our waies, that our works which we suppose to be good, and to be workes of obedience,1. Cor. 3.12 13. bee not such as tourne to ashes, so soone as the fier of Gods examination by his word toucheth them.
Stones.
WHen we see the chiefe corner stones of great and huge buildinges,Heb. 4.6. to beare the waight of the whole building: Then we are to remember, that the whole congregation of the faithfull is Gods house or building, whereof eueryevery one of vsus are partes or liuely stones, 1. Pet. 2.5.and that the people Circumcised & vncircumcised that beleeue,Ephes. 2.12 are the two walles, which in Christ were coupled, & vponupon him as vponupon the head corner stone, Act. 4.11.doe rest and are vpholden. When we see precious stones, then are we to comfort our selues,Psalm. 118.22. that though we now with the residue of the Church are afflicted: Yet as these stones exceed the common sort of stones in estimation and price, so we also shall exceed in glory. The verye stones in the walles shall crye woe to him that buildeth with bloud,Esay. 54.11.12. and erecteth and setteth vp with iniquity. Stonie ground, which in the spring first waxeth greene,Habac. 2.12 and of all the rest seemeth forwardest, and after when the weather waxeth whotte burneth and seareth awaye:Math. 13.5.… 21.25. representeth vntounto vsus the hastie forwardnesse of many, who at the first in dayes of peace seeme to receiue the word ioyfully, and afterwardes in time of persecution, by their speedy shrincking shewe, that it had neuer good and setled root in them.
Subiection.
LEt eueryevery soule be subiect to the higher power, for there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordayned of God,Rom. 13.1.2 whosoeuer therefore resisteth power, resisteth the ordinance of God. Amongest the powers, the king is the highest.1. Pet. 2.13. They are appoynted of God for the benefit and wealth of their subiects, to suppresse euill, and to mainetayne those which are good.Rom 13.3.4. Therefore we are most earnestlye to praye for kinges,1. Tim. 3.1.2 and all that are in authoritie, that we vnderunder them may lead a quiet and a peaceable life, in all godlinesse and honestie.
Swine.
AS Swine will moozell vp and downe in the mier, whatsoeuer precious thing shall be offered them: so wicked contemners and despisers of the worde do (as it were) tread vnderunder their feet,Math. 7.6. whatsoeuer promise is offred, or iudgement threatned to them out of the Word. The destruction of an heard of Swine was of more force to make the Gaderenes weary of Christe,Marke. 5.17. then the sauing of the man possessed with the Deuil, was to cause him to be welcome, and to be well accepted and receiued of them. Such is alwaies the estate of Christ, & of his gospell amongst worldlinges, whensoeuer it is ioyned with any losse or daunger of worldly benefites. Wash swine neuer so clean, yet so soon as they can find a miery plat, they will wallow and tumble them selues in it againe:2. Pet. 2.22. so bestow neuer so much paines to reduce the wicked and vngodly from their impietie, they wil shortly pollute and defile them selues againe.
Swoord.
SWordes that new come from the cutlers, newly whet, which cut whersoeuer they touch, do liuely set foorth the qualities of wicked and vngodly tongues.Psalm. 57.4 64. ver. 3. So also do they of the wrath and anger of God, kindled as well to destroy and consume the hipocrite,Ezech. 21.9 14. as him that is openly and notoriously wicked. Further they do most plainely represent,Math. 10.34 35.36. the nature of dissention and disagreement in religion. For there is no band so strong of nature, affinitie or friendship, which it doth not cleane breake and cut a sunder. The sharpenesse of a two edged swoord, doth liuely expresse the liuely & mighty operation of the word, which cutteth a sunder the strongest things in man that oppose them selues against it,Heb. 4.12. and pearceth into the most secreat and hid corners of them, which couer them selues with hipocrisie against it.
Sorrow.
SOrrow is encreased by encrease of knowledge.Eccles. 1.18.
Song.
THe sharpest rebuke of a Friende, is better and more delectable to the eare of a wise man,Eccle. 9.7. Psalm. 30.4. Psal. 83.1.2 Collos. 3.16. Ephes. 4.19 Iames. 5.13 then the pleasauntest song of a foole. It is a comely thing for the saintes of God, to set foorthe the prayses of the Lorde, with songs and Psalms, and in singing of them, to obserue that which maketh for their admonition, and instruction. They take therin a singuler pleasure, they make it their myrth and recreation.
Tabernacle.
WHen we see in any fayres, markettes or camps, tents or booths, set vp for mens present necessity to abide in a little while:Heb. 11.9. let vsus remember that our bodies are but tents and tabernacles, lent vntounto vsus to dwell in heere for a time, and that therefore wee shoulde liue heere, like straungers and pilgrimes, looking and tarying for an eternall mansion,2. Cor. 5.1. or city in heauen: the author and founder whereof is God.
Talent
THe great and fearful punishment of him that receiued a talent of his master and went and digged it in the earth and hid it: doe teach vsus to feare the heauye and greeuous iudgementes of God against vsus,Math. 25.30. If we hauehave receiued any giftes of God, and doe not employ them to the common vse, benefite and profite of the Churche and people of God.
Teachers.
THose teachers dishonour God, and slaunder his gospell greatly,Rom. 2.17.18.19.20.2… 23.24. which openlye fall into those grosse vices and sinnes, which they reproue in others: As they are very welcome, and receiued ioyfully of vsus, which bring vsus tidings of that which we greatly desire: so ought the feete of our preachers,Rom. 10.1… to be esteemed beautiful, which bring to vsus the glad tidinges of peace, and reconcilement with God. For the which cause, they are reckoned, amongest the most precious gifts and greatest treasures that Christe at his glorious and triumphant ascention,Ephes. 4.12. enriched his Church withall: The deuil enuying this felicity, thrusteth out lying teachers, which bring in damnable sectes,2. Pet. 2.1. and drawe vponupon their own heads, and the heades of their followers swift damnation.
Tempest.
WHen wee see any greate raging tempest, which beareth downe a number of thinges afore it:Ierem. 23.1… Then are we to consider how much more violent,Ierem. 30.2 the wrath and anger of the Lorde is against wicked and vngodly men.
Teares.
WHiles the wicked prosper against the people of God, and doe freely blaspheme God, and make waste and hauocke of the Church of God:Psalm. 42.3.80. vers. 5. the Teares of the godly powred out from greef, are to them in steede of meate and drink: but the time shall come,Esay. 25.8. when the Lorde shall wipe all Teares from their eyes, and shal take away their rebuke from out of the earth:Luke. 6.21. for blessed are they that weepe now, for they shall laugh.
Tiethes.
TO withdraw and witholde Tieths and offerings, by ye law appointed to the liuing and sustenaunce of Gods minister,Mal. 3.8. is to rob God & to steale from him. They that Tieth truely, and yet in the rest of their life are lose and dissolute, doe rightlye expresse vntounto vsus them,Math. 23.23. that make great conscience in outward things commaunded by men, and yet make not so great a matter of leauing their calling, and giuing ouer theire flocke, to the which they were tied, both by the laws of God and man. In paiment of our Tieths, we should consider, what a great dignity, & what an honourable calling,Heb. 7.4.6. God hath aduaunced his ministers vntounto, and therefore yeelde them that honor, and reuerence due vntounto their calling.
Theefe.
AS a Theefe taken in stealing with the deed doing, is brought to open shame: so Kings, princes and nations putting confidence in idols,Ierem. 26.27 23. and yet deceiued in finding no helpe in them, in time of their distresse are put to manifest shame and confusion. A theefe as neere as he can, commeth closely to robbe an howse then,Mar. 24.43.44. when men think least of him: so vppon a like sodaine, when men least think of it shall Christe come again to iudgement. Wherefore we ought at al times to be ready for his comming.1. Thes. 5.4. When we see theeues & such other malefactors executed for theire deseruings, we are to take heede,2. Pet. 3.10. that we when we suffer, suffer not as murtherers, theeues, euil doers or busy bodies:1. Pet. 4.15.16. but if we suffer as Christians then are we not to be ashamed.
Thirst.
BLessed are they that hunger and thirste after righteousnesse,Math. 5.6. for they shal be satisfied.
Thornes.
THornes cannot be touched nor handled, except mens hands be fenced with hedging gloues: so are wicked neighbors very cumbersom except a man be well defended,2. Sam. 13.6. & take great heed vntounto him selfe. As a fire made of Thornes burneth fiercely for the time, and keepeth a greate noyse and cracking,Psal. 118.12 but yet is speedilye burnt out and consumed: so the attemptes of the wicked, are for the time violent, and daungerous, but GOD in his good time doth with speede extinguish and quench them.Nahum 1.10 A hedge or good fence of thorne, is harde to ve passed thorough:Prou. 15.19 so is euerye way of gayning or getting to the slouthfull. It is impossible that Corne shoulde growe or prosper, and come to good among the bushes of thornes: so likewise is it, that the seede of the word, shoulde become the seede of new-byrth,Math. 13.22 to him that continueth full of worldly cares, and is snared with the deceitfulnesse of ritches.
Throanes.
WHensoeuer wee see throanes or Chayres of state, wherein it is not lawfull for any but princes,Math. 19.28. and great estates to sit: then are we admonished to remember the greate maiestye and glory whereunto Christ will aduance those that follow him.
Temples.
TEmples, Churches, Chappelles, which places we therefore esteem holy, because they are dedicated to the seruice of GOD and holy exercises of religion, shoulde bring to minde that we are also the temples of God,1. Cor. 3.16 17. and therfore ought also to be holy.
Tooth.
AS the stump of a tooth is vnprofitable to eate withall: So they in whome there is no fayth nor credite to be reposed,Prou. 25.19. are friendes vnfit & vnprofitable for a man in the day of trouble.
Toppe.
THe house top should put vsus in minde, howe much better it is for a man to bee quietlye matched,Prou. 21.9. though he dwel in neuer so small a corner, rather then hauehave neuer so pleasante and roomthy an house with a contentious brawling brabbling wife.
Tongues.
THe gift of speaking with strange tongs, thogh it be very commendable and excellent: yet if it be not vsed to the common benefite & profit of those among whom we liue:1. Cor. 13.1. It maketh a man no better then a peece of sounding brasse, or a tinckling cimbal.1. Cor. 14 11. verse. 23. vers. 21. They that speake to other in a tong that the other vnderstand not, are as straungers to them, to whom they speak, so are they yt speake lattin to the vnlerned multitude at church. Men cannot iudge them to bee well in theire wittes, whom they hear talk and prate to them in a tong which they vnderstād not. Further, when things are so vttered in the church, that they can not be vnderstood of the hearers, it is a plain and manifest token of Gods anger against them for theire vnbeleefe.
Trauaile.
ONe great trauaile that God hath giuen vntounto men to humble them thereby,Eccles. 1.13. is to learn and gather wisedom, by the diligent, and aduised consideration, and viewe of all thinges vnderunder the sunne.