An ABC for Laymen, Section 54 – Section 102
Children.
CHildren of our children are a crowne and a blessing vntounto vsus, and if we feare GOD then are we also their glory.Pro. 17.6. Psal. 128.6.
The bearing of children in armes, and the lulling of them, doth offer to our consideration, how louingly and kindly God dealeth with his people.Math. 11.16. Children that are of such heauy sad mould, as that they are neuer mooued with mirth, nor with the crying of other children, do represent to vsus the dulnesse of a nomber of people in hearing of the Word, who are no more mooued with the iudgements of God to feare, nor allured with the sweet promises of God to louelove and like, then if they were so many stockes or stones: but how so euer Preachers behaue and frame them selues, either to seuerity or mildnes they giuegive euil words.
The simplicitie and plaine dealing of little children, togeather with their humility, teacheth vsus to learne those poynts of them, if we regarde or esteeme to be meet and fit for the kingdome of Heauen.Math. 18.3.
The difference betwixt the knowledge of children in their infancie, and of men growne to vnderstanding and ripe iudgement, doth shadow vntounto vsus the wonderfull difference betwixt the vnperfect knowledge which we now hauehave,1. Cor. 13.11 & the perfection which we shal hauehave in the life to come.
The simplicitie of Children,1. Cor. 14.20 1. Peter. 2.1. admonisheth vsus to become like them in malice, guile, dissimulation and enuy, but like men in vnderstanding.
We ought not alwaies to be children in knowledge, and to be caryed about with eueryevery puffe of doctrine,Ephe. 4.14. Heb. 5.12.13 and continually to need to be taught the first rudiments of religion and principles and beginninges of christianitie.
As Fathers correct their children whom they louelove, so doth God also by vsus. And as children take patiently correction at their Fathers hand,Heb. 5.6.7.8 9.10. though sometime it be preposterous and otherwise then it should be: So ought we to take that which God layeth vppon vsus, knowing that God alwayes doth it for our benefite.
Chaffe.
WHen we see Chaffe blown abroad with ye winde and scattered,Iob. 21.18. Then should wee remember that suche is the state of the wicked when God bloweth vponupon them with the breath of his displeasure.Psalm. 1.4. Therefore howe great, howe mighty, how terrible, how fast grounded soeuer, they seeme nowe to bee,Psal. 35.5. we neede not fear them, for in respect of our God, they are as Chaffe before the winde.Esay. 17.13 But let vsus endeuour to liue so, and to embrace our Christe, that when God shal fanne the Corne and Chaffe asunder, wee bee not cast away as chaffe into vnquenchable fire.Math. 3.12 As fire consumeth Chaffe and stubble: So God shall make the wicked,Esay. 33.11. ouerthrow, destroy and bring to naught their owne deuises.
Church.
WHen we see how carefull they that are of the Church,Ephes. 5.14. are to obey and to doe their duety to God, Then women are to learne howe carefull they ought to be to obey their husbands. Also we are to remember that the church of God shall be perpetual,Math. 16.18. and hell gates shall neuer preuaile against it.
Ceremonies.
WHen wee see men very diligent in an outward shew of seruing of God: Then are wee to remember,Psalm. 50.10 that such please not God except his feare be planted in their hearts.Esay. 1.14. Psal. 51.17. For God will not take Bullokes out of our houses nor hee Goates out of our Foldes. He hateth our solemne Feasts, they are a burthen vntounto him: H… is weary with bearing of them, But the sacri…fice that pleaseth God is an humble and a con…trie heart, For that he will not dispise.
City.
WHen wee see a City what by nature, & what by the industry and diligence of man, so fenced, that it seemeth impossible to bee wonne by strength:Prou. 18.19 Then let vsus consider that a Brother offended is harder to win againe then that. And therefore let vsus bee as carefull and diligent to keepe his amity, and louelove, as we would be heedefull to keepe such a City from turning to the enimy. As a City the walles and defences whereof are broken downe,Prou. 25.28. is in daunger of eueryevery enimy, that is of force and might: so a man that hath no stay of his appetite, affections and desires, is alwaies easy to be spoiled of any that wil seeke it. As it is to no purpose to seeke to take by force a City so well fenced and manned as it may be:Iere. 1.18.19 so vaine are the attempts of them that oppose them selues to Gods ministers to hinder them from doing that for which God hath sent them.
The first City was builded by Caine, and inhabited by his broode,Genes. 4 17. wherefore the godly a great time did dwell in Tents to shew that heere they hauehave no abiding City, but looke for one to come that is Heauen.
Clay.
AS that which is made of clay is brittle and easely broken,Iob. 10.9. and soone returneth to earth againe: So man is frayle and quickly shall returne to dust againe. God therefore hath compassion on them that feare him, because hee is mindefull of howe brickle a moulde hee hath made them.Psal. 103.14. As it is an absurd thing for a peece of Clay wrought by a Potter to challendge the Potter of want of witte or vnderstanding: So is it a wonderfull follye for men to perswade them selues that they hauehave such deep reaches and fetches,Esa. 29.15.16 and that their Councelles are so priuye and secreate, that they can escape the eye-sight, knowledge and vnderstanding of God. As it is vnreasonable for a peece of clay to challendge the Potter for the forme,Rom 9.20.2 shape or vse that hee is made for: So it is an intollerable presumption of man to reason against his maker, for the ende that he is made for, whether it bee honour or dishonour. The Prophet Esay teacheth vsus therefore, in respect that we are in the hande of God,Esay. 64.8. as clay in the hande of the Potter, to craue mercy and the forgiuenesse of our offences.
Cloutes.
FOule, filthy, mattery and stincking cloutes, do liuely and aptly represent vntounto vsus our righteousnesse and goodnesse that is in vsus.Esay. 64.6.
Cloudes.
THe sodayne vanishing of cloudes putteth vsus in minde,Iob. 7.9. howe soudenly our life vanisheth away, as in dry weather Cloudes that threaten raine, but are indeede emptie and vanish: So is the liberality of greate braggers and boasters, which will promise apace but perfourme slowely.Pro. 25.14. As of cloudes when they be vanished away, there is nothing seene: so the synnes of godes people,Esay. 44.22 when he forgeueth them, are clearlie put both out of sight and remembraunce.
As a morning cloude that at the Sunne rising, vanisheth away:Hose. 13.3 2. Peter. 2. So is the prosperity of the wicked. False and vntrue teachers, are like these emptie cloudes, which are blowne away with the Winde,Iude. 1.12. for they bring not that which they brag off.
Cloakes.
AS a good and fayre cloake being large, so couereth a man that many things may be carried vnderunder it and conueyed cleanly, which wee woulde be loth and ashamed to hauehave seene:2. Cor. 4.2. so hypocrites▪ craft and deceit, hideth and couereth their vntrueth, which to bee plainly seene and perceiued they would bee ashamed. Also we are to take heede that we make not Christian liberty,1. Peter. 2.1 a cloake to couer the satisfiyng of our lewde lusts and wicked affections withall.
Coales.
AS we see one coale kindle another, & woode to be apte matter to make a fier,Pro. 26.2 so those that be disposed to contention and brawling, be apt to kindle strife, & to set men together by the eares.
Contribution.
Rom. 15.27. 1. Cor. 9.11. Galath. 6.6WHen we see anye Contribution or gathering made for Preachers, then we are to remember; that it is but dutie, that men should minister to them carnall thinges, that made them partakers of spirituall thinges.
Corne.
COrne that is blasted afore it be ripe, admonisheth vsus of the state of such cities,Esay. 37.27 as God hath determined shortly to destroy for the …innes of the inhabitantes, continually prouoking him vntounto wrath.
Councell.
WHen we see men runne vponupon head, and that there is no man amongst them that giueth good and wholsome Councell, Prou. 11.14there we may well conclude that they shal shortly perish. But where there are many that can giuegive good Councell, and there Councell is obeyed and embraced,Esay. 30.1. the common wealth shall flourish. But good councellers muste not truste to their owne braines and wisedome, but must seeke to direct them selues according to the Word and wisedome of the Lorde, otherwise God doth accurse their Councels.
Prou. 19.20.21.Men that will be wise in their latter end, must heare Conuncell and receiue instruction. For the deuises of a mans heart are manye, but onelyonly the Councell of the Lord shall stand. Otherwise the Councels of the wicked, of what might or wisedome so euer they be,Esay. 7.5.6.7 they shall not take effect, nor be brought to passe.
Craftesmen.
THe gaines that commeth by Idolatrie to diuers & sundry sortes of craftsmen purchaseth their friendship,Act. 19.24.25 26.27. & maketh them earnest enemies against the Gospell & truth of God.Exod. 28.3. Otherwise the skil & cunning of craftsmen, are the good and praise worthy giftes of almighty God,Exod. 35.41 such as no common wealth without great inconuenience and daunger can want or be without.1. Sam. 13.19 But these craftesmen muste take heede that for couetousnesse they make them not parteners of other mens sins,Ephes. 4.28 in becomming instrumentes to beautifie idolatry, superstition, vanitie, curiositie, &c, But labour onelye that which is good, that they may not only be able to suffice their own need, but relieue others.
Creation.
THe omnipotencie of the Worde, seeing by it all thinges were made, is declared in the creation of the worlde,Genes. 1. Psal 105.5. Iohn. 1.3. Rom. 1.18.19.20. and of all that is in it. Whatsoeuer may be knowen of God is manifest and maye be seene in the creatures, and in their creation, so that thogh men had no more teaching then that which the workes of God represent to their eyes, yet are they left quite voyd of scuse for ignoraunce:Psal. 19.5.103.20.21. more the creatures reioyce to keepe their course to worke his will, and to execute his commanndement. But aboue all, they are exceeding glad, that GOD hath glorified him selfe, by redeeming his people,Esa. 44.23. and bringing them into an assured expectation of beeing deliuered from the seruitude of corruption.
Crowne.
A Crowne, because it is a token of the highest dignitie and honour in this life,1. Cor. 9.25. the holye Ghost vseth it to expresse the greatnes of the dignitie and honour,2. Tim. 8. wherevnto the children of God shall be aduaunced in the life to come, an incorruptible crowne, Iames. 1.12.a crowne of righteousnes, a crowne of life.
Crueltie.
WHen we see the meeke oppressed and the godly scorned, and cruell men raging & taking on at their pleasure:Esay. 29.20. then let vsus call to mind that the time shall come, when the cruel man shall cease, and the scornefull shall be consu…med, and all that hasted to iniquitie shall be cu…off. For crueltie is proper to the wicked and vn…godly, whose very bowels are cruel. But euen as they do,Pro. 12.10. Iudg. 1.7. so God doth pay them home againe, and iudgement mercilesse shall be to them that shew no mercy: namely, depart yee cursed into euerla…sting fire,Iames. 2.13. which is prepared for the Deuill and his aungels.Math. 25.41.
Cup.
AS we see men take the cup one at an others handes, and drinck in course: so we when we hauehave tasted of the cup of Gods wrath for our sins,Esa. 52.21.22 if we repent are to comfort our selues, that it shal be taken out of our handes,Ierem. 51.7. and giuen to our enemies, euen to those which hitherto hauehave made a spoyle of vsus, and they shall sucke out the dregges thereof.Ezech. 23.1…32.33.34. The people by whome God plagueth others, are likened to a golden cup which serueth to make many drincke withall. Those who hauehave seene others taste of the cup of Gods wrath, and yet perseuer and go forwarde in the like sinnes as they hauehave seen others punished for, shal drinck of the same. They which are the Schollers of Christ,Math. 20.23 are to make account to drinck of the same cup that their maister did.
When we see cups verye fayre on the out side, and within s…uttishly kept,Math. 23.25. then are we to remember, that they are a plaine patterne of hipocrisie, and to looke into our selues, least seeming something to the worlde, we be carelesse how we appeare to God, who looketh to the heart and inner partes.Apoca. 17.4. Also a fayre cup that hath dregges or bad drincke in it, shoulde make vsus mindfull of the cup full of abhominations and filthines, which is in the hand of the Romish Antichriste, otherwise called the Whoore of Babylon,Apo. 18.3.4. and whereof all the kinges of the earth hauehave druncke: and heedful least we all be partakers of her sinnes, and so receiue of her plague.
Day.
Gene. 1.3.16FIrst, in the creation of day, which was mad… 3. dais before ye sonne, we hauehave to consider ye almighty power of God, who is not tied to any in…feriour or instrumental causes. For carnal reason & wisdom, is not able to reach to it, or to conceiu… how daylight should be without the Sonne.Iohn. 11.9. Se…condly, as they that vse the benefite of the day t… trauell and walke in, needeth not to stumble an… fall at the things that lie in their way, for yt the… hauehave light to direct them by: so they that direc… thē selues in their calling by the light of ye wor… goe aright and vpright, because God doth giuegive them.Rom. 13.13 Therefore it is sometimes vsed for know…ledge, gotten by reading and hearing the wor… preached. Thirdly, the day of the Lorde shall no… come soudenly and vnlooked for vppon the chil…dren of light,1. Thes. 5.6. stealing vppon them as it were theefe in ye night, for yt they be endued with god…ly knowledge, and therefore liue in continua… expectation of his comming, and watch lookin… for it.Heb. 3.7.8. & 13 Lastly, we are to exhort one another, whil… it is called to daye, and also to obey them … whome God doth speake to day, both because … knowe not whether hee will speake to vsus any more, and also least we be excluded out of his … as our Fathers were.
Darknesse.
THe Darknesse of dongeons in prisons where prisoners are voide and destitute of all comfort,Math. 8.12 doth shadowe vntounto vsus the terriblenesse and fearfulnesse of Hell.Rom. 13.12 1 verse 21 The workes of darknesse are so called, either of ignoraunce of the doer, which the Darknesse of the minde causeth, or because they are commonly done in the night,Esay 29.15 or closely out of sight, or else because the dooers of them dare not,1 Thes. 5.7 and louelove not to come to try their doings by the light of the Word, or else because the rulers of the Darknesse of this worlde,Iohn. 3.20 worke them in the reprobate.
Darknesse should make vsus remember what we somtime were,1 Ephes. 5.8. and what we be now called vntounto, and how we should therefore walke and lead our liues,Iohn. 12.46 3 verse 13 leaste wee declare our selues to be vnfaithfull, and shewe that wee louelove Darknesse better then light, which is flat damnation.
Dawbers.
AS Dawbers that dawbe Walles, with Morter which was neuer tempered, cannot make those walles continue,Ezech. 22.28 for that the morter crumbleth away: So false and lying Prophetes, that speake in the name of the Lord, that which he neuer commaunded them, can not make their wordes true or to come to passe as they hauehave promised.
Death.
Gene. 3.19.THe death of all men doth admonish vsus of the trueth and constancie of gods worde, and how certayne that is which he once hath vttered.
The Death of the godly which yeelde their soules to god ioyfully, shoulde make vsus consider, yt though death be the last enimy that shall be destroyed,…. Cor. 15.26 45.55. that is to say, abolished, yet he is already swallowed vp by our Sauiour Christe in victory, and his sting taken away, and so after a sort for euer destroyed,Esay. 25.8. because his power of hurting and harming Gods people is taken from him.
Esay. 25.8.When righteous and mercifull men dye, and are taken of the earth, It is time for vsus to looke for euilles which God will sende vppon vsus for our sinnes,1. Cor. 11.30 from the sight and greefe of which, God hath taken them away.
Rom. 5.12.By this that all men dye, wee are taught that all men are sinners.
When we see howe harde a thing it is for a man, bee hee neuer so good, or so welbeloued, to finde another man to suffer Death for him: We are to consider the vnmeasurablenesse of the louelove of Christe,Rom. 5.7.8. who died for vsus, not onelyonly when we were moste sinfull wretches, but also moste spitefull enemies to him.
Further death shoulde teache vsus to dye to sinne.Rom. 6.2.
As the bandes of matrimony are set free by the Death of one of the married couple:Rom. 7.3.4. So are we by Christe, made deade to the Law, and freeed from the yoke, seruitude and bondage of it.
When wee see God plague vsus with the sicknesse and Death of greate numbers:1. Cor. 11.30 Then are we to enter into our selues diligently to spie the cause thereof, And especially to looke whether our grosse contempt of the Worde, and vnreuerent abusing of the sacrament, hauehave not procured the same.
Deade men can doe nothing that liuing men should doe:Ephe. 2.1. So when we are deade in sinne,Col. 2.13. wee coulde doe none of those thinges which declare and shewe foorth our life in Christe. As great a myracle therefore as it is for deade men to bee raised againe: So is the chaunge that Christe hath made in those that be his.1. Peter. 4.6. Christe by dying, not onelyonly ouercame death, but also him that had Lordshippe ouer Death (that is) the Diuell,Heb. 2.14. and that to this ende, that Death now shoulde be no more fearefull and terrible to vsus.
Defence.
ALl outwarde means of Defence, when men passing by God, put their confidence in them are but vaine:Esay frō the 7. vers of the second chapter to the .4. ver. of the. 3. As Siluer, Golde, Horses, Charriots, high Towres, strong Walles, victualles, …trong men, valiant captayns, honorable persons, …age & graue couneellers, &c. Put not therefore …our trust in princes, nor in ye sonnes of men, for …n thē ther is no help,Psal. 146.3. But know yt he is accursed that maketh flesh his arme. Therefore, though some trust in Chariots,Psal. 23.7.8. and others in Horses, yet the people of God aduaunce their standerdes in the name of the Lorde. And when their mighty enemies, are brought downe and fallen, they rise and stande vpright.
Dewe.
AS the morning Dewe, soone after the sonne rising vanisheth away,Hose. 13.3. So the strength, glory, prosperity and pride of the Idolaters, is by God soone brought to naught.
Debters.
IF we, when we hauehave poore and needy debters, pitying their pouerty do forgiue their debtes, and then thinke that by good right we may challenge louelove,Luke. 7.43. and the more louelove, where we hauehave moste forgiuen: then are wee to thinke, howe much and how deepely we are bounde to louelove Christ, by whom so manye and so great thinges are forgiuen vsus.
Dearth.
DEarth is procured to countries and nations, by their great and grieuous offences, especially by Idolatry,Iere. 3.3. whereof we hauehave example in the dayes of king Achab; next by periury, as appeared in the dayes of King Dauid,… King. 17.1. three page missing and ready to kicke against their keepers: so is it with very manye men,Deut. 32.15 the more temporall blessinges and worldly commodities God heapeth vppon them, the more they kicke againste him, and will be the lesse ruled by his Ministers and Word.
Father.
THe naturall pietie and compassion that Fathers and mothers hauehave towardes their infants,Psal. 103.13. doth teach vsus how much greater the compassion of our heauenly Father is towardes vsus his children.Math. 7.9.10 11. And if our Parents are ready to giuegive their infantes good thinges when they begge or craue:Mat. 6.31.…2. then much rather we shall be denyed nothing, if we in faith do begge and craue of God. And if Parents be carefull according to their abilitie, to prouide thinges needfull for their children: how can we want any thing at the handes of our GOD, which he knoweth to be good and needfull for vsus: Also Christe hath therefore in praying taught vsus to to call him father,Math. 6.9. that we might be admonished to come with such reuerence as Children owe vntounto their Fathers, that we come not in confidence of our selues or anye thing in vsus, but in confidence of his mediation, by whom & in whom we are made the children of God: and that we doe not enuy prosperity to such children of God as he aduaunceth, neither yet disdaine nor contemne the basest of those, to whom God vouchsafeth to be a Father, and aduaunceth to the dignity of his children.Luke. 15.23.24. The ioye that a father conceiueth and expresseth when his sonne that hath been wild and an vnthrift, returneth to frugalitie and thriuing, expresseth to vsus how pleasant and acceptable a thing to God the conuersion of a sinner is.1. Cor. 415. He by whose ministerye it pleaseth God to regenerate vsus and beget vsus a new, ought to be esteemed of vsus as our father.
Fathers.
THe ordinary course of the world teacheth vsus, that fathers get and laye vp in store for their Children, and for that purpose make no spare of labour,,1. Cor. 12.14.15. trauaile, and toyle, in viewing whereof, the ministers of the Worde are to learne the paines and care that they shoulde hauehave for their flocke,2. Thes. 2.11. of whome God hath made them fathers, to make no spare of them selues, but to bestow them selues and all their giftes fully and wholly vponupon their flocke.Psalm. 78.6. And as a Father comforteth, exhorteth and beseecheth his children:Heb. 12.7. euen so ought a Minister his flocke. A father ought carefully to teach the lawe of the Lord vntounto his children, and moderately to correct them.
Fatherlesse.
WE are to take heede how we contemne or neglect the fatherlesse, Psalm. 68.5.for God is the Father of the fatherlesse, and his fatherly care is howrely seene in prouiding for them.
Feast.
WHen Friendes meet at Feastes and banquettes,Pro. 15.15. they giuegive them selues to bee merrye, and exile all cares and thoughts, that might hinder mirth out of their minds: then they should remember,Esay. 5.12. that those ioyes that their banquet bringeth them to at that time, a good conscience would aforde them continually, and therfore should study and care to keepe a good conscience. Further, in the middle of feasting, men must take heed that God be not for-gotten, nor his liberality vnthought on, but that there be of it amongest them a thankfull remembraunce.
Fieldes.
WHen in the Corne fieldes we see Tares grow amongest the wheate till Haruest, which can not well be rooted out afore:Math. 13.29.30. we are admonished that wicked hypocrites and other euill men, of whom there is hope that they may be conuerted, shall be alwayes in the outwarde account of the Church till the ende of the worlde. But it is euill husbandry, to let tyne and such other weedes grow, as both may easelye bee discerned, and also are noysome and hurtfull vntounto the corne. Also if we hurt our neighbours fielde, we are to make recompence with the best yt groweth in our owne field.Exod. 22.5. Further we ought not to encroch by remouing ye bonds or taking away theDeut. 19.14 landmarkes of our neighbours field.
Fier.
GOD taketh vengeaunce of his enemies by Fier. Esay. 5.24.For as Fier quickly consumeth stuble and straw: so the wrath of the Lorde kindleth as Fier, Ierem. 4.4.and consumeth the wicked for contemning his word, and for the wickednesse of their inuentions.Genes. 19.24 Experience hereof we hauehave in the destruction of Sodome and Gomorrha, by Fier. The burning of Nadah,Leuit. 10.2 and Abihue, Aarons sonnes. The plaging of the people that murmured by fier. Num. 11.1.16. ver. 35The burning of two hundred and fifty that offered incence vntounto the Lord by Fier that proceeded from the Lorde.2. King. 1.10 12. The consuming with fire from heauen of the twoo Captaines and their bandes which were sent for Eliah. It appeareth manifestly therfore, that our God is a consuming fier,Esay. 10.17 and that all his enemies are but as thornes & briers, which are easely and quicky consumed by fier,Esay. 43.2. but fier shall not hurt the godly, because God is with them and protecteth them.Daniel. 2.27 Hereof we hauehave manifest experience in the three children cast into the fierie furnace by the King of Babell. The worde of the Lorde hath also the same property that God hath,Ierem. 5.14. for it shall be to the vngodly as fier to consume them, and the vngodly to it as wood to be consumed by it. The Church of God also,Obadi. 1.18 shall by the iust iudgement of God be a fier to consume the vngodly withall, euen all the enemies of his people.Zacha. 12.6 The Princes and Captaines of Gods people shall be vntounto their enemies round about them, as Coales of fier to wood,Luke. 12.49. and as fierbrandes in a sheafe of straw to consume all that lift vp their handes against them.2. Cor. 3.14.15. The gospell also is a fier, which Christ by his preaching kindled vponupon the earth. As by fier mettalles, so by the word eueryevery mans workes shall ve examined and tryed what they be.Iam. 3.5.6. As a very little fier kindleth neuer so great a heape of matter apt to kindle: so the tongue setteth the whole course of nature on fier and is kindled it selfe of hell.1. Pet. 4.12. Fier purgeth and fineth metalles: so God purgeth the drosse of his children by afflictions. And as it is a common matter to trye Golde and Siluer by fier: so it should not seeme straunge to the children of god to be tryed by tribulations.
Fisher.
AS Fishers with nets and hookes catch fishe in great number: so shall they that GOD stirreth vp to execute his iudgements against any people,Iere. 16.16. catch and destroye great plentie of them.Ezech. 47.10 On the other side, when it pleaseth God to bestowe his graces in abundaunce, then his Preachers shall be like ye Fishers that fish in the maine Sea, and shall catch men with the preaching of the Worde, in as great aboundaunce and varietie as Fishers doe fishe.Marke. 1.17▪ Therefore Christ called his Apostles from fishing, and made them Fishers of men. And when they had laboured all night and caught nothing,Luke. 5.5.6. yet in the day they cast out againe at the commaundement of Christ, and inclosed a great nomber, to teach vsus neuer to dispayre, though we doe not see that we winne any by the word. For God will for vsus espy oportunitie for that purpose.
Firmament.
THe brightnesse of the firmament setteth out,Dani. 12.3. the glorious estate of those in the resurrection of the iust, who shal be found wise with godly wisedome.
Flaxe.
THe care of Christe in bearing with the weaknesse and infirmities of his children,Esay. 42.3. is set out in the similitude of not quenching of smoking flaxe.
Fleshe.
THey that trust in the helpe of men and not of God,Esay. 31.1.3. of fleshe and not of spirite, because of the multitude of their warlike furniture, shal fal and perishe togeather with their helpes.Iere. 17.5. For cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh fleshe his arme, and with-draweth his heart from the Lord. Cease therfore from man, whose breath is in his nostrelles.Esay. 1.21. For wherein is he to be esteemed. Trust vntounto the Lord with al thine hart,Prou. 3.5. Rom. 8.7. and leane not vntounto thine owne wisedome: for the wisdome of the fleshe is enimytie against God, and therein dwelleth no goodnes.Rom. 7.18. Gala. 5.17.19.20.21. The carnall man is sold vnderunder sinne, and fleshe longeth continually against the spirit, and the fruites thereof are all kindes of impietie and wickednesse.
Floud.
GOds blessing in aboundaunce,Esay. 44.3. is like floudes of waters, and as the ouer-flowing of them, maketh dry groundes fruitfull:Iere. 47.2. so his blessinges are welcome to the people of God. As flouds ouerflow and destroy all: so those by whom God plageth any land or people. But if God be on our side,Psal. 124.5.6 thogh the enemies like a floud make account to ouerthrow and ouerwhelme all, yet their waters shall not drowne vsus, nor their streame goe ouer our soules.Luke. 17.26.27. But floudes many times happen sodainely, and when we least looke for them, as Noes floud, which shoulde make vsus remember how sodainly and vnlooked for, Christ shal come to iudge the world.
Flies.
THe great power of almighty God is herein seene, that by so small and weake a creature, as Flies are, can tame the prowdest Tirant and make the stoutest vppon earthe to stoupe to his pleasure.Exod. 8.28. The Flies are busie in Pothecaries shoppes, and if they happen to get into his glasses of sweet syrops and ointments & ther die, they stinke and spoyle his syrop or ointment:Ecclesi. 10.1 euen so doth a little folly him that was had in great estimation for his wisedome.
Flower.
AS a flower so soone as it bloweth is cut downe, or very shortly gathered: So is the continuaunce of a mans life. As the beauty of a Flower which sodainly fadeth,Iob. 14.2. so is all the glory and graces of all flesh. Therefore we are not to reioyce in wealth,Psal. 130.15. honour, and dignity: nor set our whol mind to seeke after them. For they shal vanish as sodainlye as doth the Flower of the grasse:Esay. 40.6.7. But we are by ye consideration heereof to leaue seeking these worldly thinges, and seeke earnestly for the immortall seede of the worde,Iam. 1.10.11 whereby we may be regenerate and begotten againe of God to euerlasting life,1. Pet. 1.23.…4. and so enioy his mercies which endure for euer.
Flint.
GOd maketh his Ministers harder against the vngodly and wicked,…xech. 3.9. then is the Flint.
Flayle.
GOd shall make his people like a thresshing instrument,Esai. 41.15. and they shall thresh the mountaines to powder, and the hilles to chaffe, that is all their lofty and proude enimies, that rise vp against them.
Flocks.
WHen we see the plentifull encrease that Flockes of Cattel bring, and that they multiply exceedinglie:Ezec. 36.37.38. Then we are to remember, that though god sometyme wast his people for their sinnes, yet he wil exceedingly multiplie it, and encrease it againe.
Fooles.
THey that doe mocke and scoffe at their own sinne and offences are fooles, and in so doing bewray their folly.Prou. 14.9.18. verse 3 17. verse 21. Their mouth shall bee their destruction, and their lippes a Snare for their soule, hee that begetteth such, getteth him selfe sorrowe, and the father of a foole canne hauehave no ioy. But there are many sily simple ones, in worldly respects, but Fooles which goe before vsus in embracing of religion,Rom. 10.19. in knowledge of the word, and in framing their life according therevnto. The consideration whereof, shoulde make vsus to vnderstand, that God prouoketh vsus thereby to emulation of their weldoing, and so stirreth vsus to contende to ouertake and ouergoe them▪ Wherefore let no man deceiue himselfe. If any among you seeme to be wise in this worlde,1. Cor. 3.18 Let him be a foole that he may be wise.
Folly.
THe wisemen of the world alwaies esteemed it folly and madnesse to beleeue in Christe crucified.1. Cor. 1.24 25. And the preaching of the Gospell is thoughte folly of the wicked worldlinges, and therefore contemned. But by this foolishnesse it hath pleased God to saue beleeuers, euen al that beleeue. And this follie is wiser then the wisest men, and hath preuayled agaynst al their wysedome, from the one ende of the worlde to the other.
Foode.
1. Tim. 6.8WHen wee hauehave foode and apparell, wee shoulde be therewith contented.
Foote.
AN vnfaithful man in whom a man reposeth confidence in trouble, is like vntounto a sliding foote that layeth his master in the dirt.Prou. 25.19 A mans foote so sore that it cannot be healed, and putteth the other parts of the body in danger to be infected by it, is wont to be cut off for the preseruation of the rest: which admonisheth vsus what wee hauehave to doe with our friendes,Math. 18.…. or any commodity earthly, when they become hurtfull to our souls, and endaunger vsus to looze life euerlasting, how necessary and needfull soeuer they seem to be, for this our present state.
Foules.
THe Foules of Heauen are good proofes of Gods prouidence: for notwithstanding they make no prouision but for the present time, yet God of his merciful goodnesse feedeth them,Math. 6.26 and therfore they shold teach vsus in due order to hang vponupon his prouidence. If any corn be spilt or shed in any common way, the Foules presently fall vponupon it & deuour it,Math. 13.19 and suffer it not to remain ther any longer: so also the seede of the word, that falleth into hard hearts, is by and by taken away of the Diuell and wicked spirites, and so cannot remaine there, nor be vnderstoode.
Foundation.
AS buildinges can not stande, except they bee borne vp by their foundation: so Christians are in an vnstable state:1. Cor. 3.11 except they stay thēselues vponupon Christ. Whosoeuer therefore goeth about to builde,1. Cor. 3.10 in any other Foundation, is an vnskilfull builder, laieth his Foundation vponupon the sand, in windes and stormie raines, his worke cannot stande.
Fountaines.
AS Fountaines dee continually in great plenty cast out waters:Ieremy. 6.7. So doe the wicked their malice. One Fountaine can not giuegive foorth both sweete and salte Water,Iam. 3.11.12 yet wee see that out of one mouth verye contrary thinges proceedeth, euen blessings & curssings, which sheweth what an vnruly euill the tongue is.Psalm. 114.8 God giueth vntounto his, Water pooles out of the harde Rockes and Fountaines, out of the flint stones.