An ABC for Laymen, Section 9 – Section 53
Apparrell.
BY our first creation we were not subiect to the iniuries of the weather, neither yet had wee any thing to bee ashamed of, or that wee neede to hide.Genes. 2.25 Therefore afore Adams transgression he ware no apparell. The putting on & off & shifting of our garmentes should cause vsus to remember out of what felicity we fell, and therfore shoulde not encrease, but rather represse pride.
Genes. 3.21.The first garmentes that Adam and Eue did wear, God made and put on, which was to them and their posteritie a signe and seale of Gods goodnesse, that hee woulde not deale with them according to their deserts, considering that when they had moste greeuously offended, then hee most gratiously prouided for their necessity.
Psal. 102.25.26 Hebr. 1.12As our clothes when they waxe old, we change them: So heauen and earth and all that is in them shall be chaunged.
Math. 9.16An olde rotten tottered garment, cannot bee comely peeced with new, whole, and sound cloth: so they that plant and place their righteousnes in fasting and other externall exercises, can not admit that righteousnesse that commeth onelyonly and wholly by Christ.
Soft silkes and other ruffeling brauery in apparell,Math. 11.8 very often bewrayeth climing spirits, and therefore are ordinarily to bee founde in kinges Courts.
When wee see men by apparell or such other outwarde meanes, hunt after the estimation of men, then let vsus call to minde what Christ spake in like case of the Pharisies:Math. 23.5 namely that they doe all their works for to be seene of men.
We are to bee contented and to satisfie our selues,1 Tim. 6.8 if God giuegive vsus meate for our bellies, and clothes for our backes.
Finally, Saint Peter teacheth vsus not to beautify and deck our selues with gay apparell and costly Iewels,1 Pet. 3.3.4 But with the incorruption of the heart, and meekenesse and quietnesse of spirit.
As other men desire to be gorgeously apparelled,2. Corin. 5.4 so the children of God desire to bee clothed with their house which is from heauen.
The prowde man doth think violence as comly for him,Psalme 73.… as a decent and a fit garment.
The garments that are layde by till they bee moth-eaten,Iames 5.3. shall witnesse against the owners of their pride and superfluity.
Army.
AN Army of men shoulde make vsus remember that the Lorde he is GOD of hostes, that is, that all strength and force of men is at his beck and commandement. For both it withdraweth vsus from procuring the curse of God, in making flesh our arme, and also causeth vsus to dispise the might of men that seeke to destroy the Church and truth of God. For he hath giuen his Aungelles charge ouer the Godly, and they encampe them selues round about them that feare him.Psalme. 27.3 91. verse 11 34. verse 7 Further, we are to remember that as the armie of heauen is innumerable, and the sand of the Sea vnmeasurable: euen so God will multiply his Church.Iere. 33.22
Armor.
THe sight of Armor should bring to minde, how conuenient it is for vsus to put on ye Armor of light,Rom. 13.12. that is such defences against sinne, as light: that is, knowledge and vnderstanding of the Word doth lead vsus vntounto. Further, by it we are admonished how many and great enemies we hauehave to do with all,Ephe. 6.13 and therefore that it is necessarie to bee armed at all points with suche Armor as God in his word hath appointed vntounto vsus. For otherwise we can not withstande the assaults of so mighty, so fierce, and so wily aduersaries. But against the might and power of our God nothing can preuaile.
Arrowes.
BItter wordes pearce like arrowes, they are secreatly shot at the innocent, they sodainely strike him and wound him when he least thinketh,Psal. 64.3.4 and when he imagineth no hurt towardes him.102. verse 4. But God with his Arrowes mightely shot, shall pay home again the guilfull and deceitfull tongue.
As Arrowes are at the commaundement of the owner to be vsed:Psalm. 127.4 So children at the commandement of Godly parentes. And as Arrowes are an excellent Weapon of defence to a strong and a mighty man, that can shoote them with courage: So children godly brought vp, are a speciall protection and defence to their Parents. And as the strong mans quiuer, the better it is furnished with chosen shaftes, the better defence hee hath: So, the more such Children, the greater is the happinesse of the parents.
Asse.
MAn, if he looke backe to his byrth, and consider how little wisedome, a silly new born Babe bringeth with him into the Worlde, shall see that the Asse Colt,Iob. 11.11.12 which of all other beasts …s counted the veriest dullard, bringeth more wit and ability to helpe him selfe then hee. So that whatsoeuer we hauehave, we hauehave it afterwards …y the gift and liberality of God.
Axe.
WHen we see men hewe down wood with Axes, wee are to remember, that they whose ministery & seruice, God vseth to destroy to plague others, are so in ye hand of God, as the hatchet in the hand of the hewers or workman.Esay 10.15. As therfore on the one side we are to comfort our selues in affliction, because God is the moderator thereof: so on the other, if God vse vsus against others, we must take heed of pride, and of exalting our selues against him that mooueth vsus. As men throw away their worne & broken tooles, so God when he hath finished his woorke,Esay. 10.12 then casteth away them, whom onelyonly he vseth as instrumentes of his wrath.
Ballances.
THose that buy and sell, whensoeuer they looke vponupon their ballances,Prouer. 11.1 are to remember these admonitions of the holye Ghost: that false ballances are an abhomination vntounto the Lord, and a perfect waight pleaseth him. Diuers waightes and diuers measures, both these are abhomination vntounto the Lorde,20▪ verse 10 and deceitfull ballances are not good. You shall hauehave iust bal…lances, true waightes,Leuit. 19.36 a true Ephah, and a tru… hin, for I am the Lord.
Bagge.
WHen rich men looke among their bagge… let them call to minde,Haggi. 16. that except th… seeke diligently for the kingdome of God, th… are like those that put their earninges into broken and bottomlesse bagge.
Bandes.
THe bandes of the godly, are by God tourned to the preferment of the Gospell.Phil. 1.12.13 Ierem. 5.5. Psalm. 2.3 When we see broken Bandes, then are we to thinke of them, who when they hauehave knowne the way of the Lorde, and the iudgementes of their God, yet hauehave broken his yoake, and burst his handes.
Barrennesse.
THe Barrennesse of a woman that after a long time childeth signifieth vntounto vsus,Esay. 54.1. that though Gods people be neuer so few, and the Church neuer so small in number, yet God will multiplye and encrease it.
Our sinnes procure and prouoke God to make our fruitfull land barren.Psal. 107.34. For when the earth deceiueth vsus and doth not yeelde her fruit, sure it is,Esay. 24.5. because the inhabitants thereof hauehave transgressed the lawe, chaunged the ordinaunces, and broken the euerlasting couenaunt,Deut. 28.23. for then the heauen ouer vsus shall be Brasse, and the earth vnderunder vsus Yron.
Beastes.
WHen we see wilde Beastes deuour that, that hath beene diligently planted and preserued,Psa. 80.12.13 and now is neglected and vnfenced. Let vsus tremble and quake at the iudgementes of God againste his owne people and Church,Esay. 5.4.5.6 who after he hath heaped all maner of benefites vponupon them,…sa. 4.5.6. for their ingratitude and vnkindnes, giueth them ouer into the handes of those that waste and spoyle them. Also let vsus be thankfull to God for his meruailous goodnesse, who when wild cruell raging beastes are abroade all night seeking their pray,…sal. 104.20 …1.22.2.3. doth so terrifie them with the light, that in the morning they retire themselues and couch in their Dennes, that the day may be commodious for man to goe to his worke and necessary labour abroad.
Wild and fierce beastes are often by the industrie of man tamed and loose their desire to hurt:…sai. 11.6.7.8 which when we see we are to consider, that as they are by nature, so we be glad and desirous one of anothers hurt,…9. ver. 25. till God worke an alteration in vsus by his holy spirit and reforme vsus.
…erem. 10.14Men, if God do not illuminate them, but leaue them to their owne knowledge, are like brute beastes.
The Teachers in the Church, if they seeke not the Lorde, he pulleth away their vnderstanding, so that they become no better then beastes.Iere.. 10.21.
When we see any Beast ouer-laden and readye to sincke vnderunder his burden, except there be present helpe at hand to ease them, then are we to thinke what a great and grieuous burden of sinne we beare,Math. 11.28. and what daunger we stande in, of sincking into the pit of perdition, and let vsus flye to Christ, who onelyonly and alone can vnburden vsus, and ease and refresh vsus.
Beastes and Birdes maye be tamed:Iames. 3.7. but the tongue is so vnruly, that no man can tame it.
Men whome God hath aduaunced to honour and dignitie,Psa. 49.20. and yet vnderstande not how much and how greatly they are beholding to God, are no better then Beastes, whose ende is vtter destruction.
Banner.
A Banner borne in triumph, shoulde admonish Warriours,Psalm. 20.5 that in confidence of none other thing but of God, they should aduaunce their standerdes.60. verse. 5 And when God by them doth giuegive victorie to his Church and people againste their enemyes, then let them acknowledge that God gaue them their Banner to fight vnderunder.
Further Gods Standerd is aduaunced, when people that know not God, are stirred vp to war vponupon and destroye other wicked Nations,Esay. 13.2. 11. ver. 10.12. Iohn. 3.14. that hauehave beene plagues to the people of GOD. Christ is also set vp of GOD for a Standarde, not onelye for the dispersed of Israell and the scattered of Iudah to assemble to, from the foure corners of the earth,8. ver. 28.12. ver. 32 but also for all Nations to seeke to.
Beare.
A Beare robed of her whelps is meeker,Pro. 17.12. & a mā may meet her with lesse danger thē an angry raging foole.…mos. 5.19. They that flye from the Lorde, are like them yt flying from lions light vponupon beares.
Bible.
AT the sight of the Bible we shoulde call to minde,…om. 14.4. that whatsoeuer is written, is written for our learning, and therefore should be stirred vp diligently to learne those thinges which God would hauehave taught. And further, we must remember that the examples of Gods iudgementes and wrath therein contayned, are writ for vsus,… Cor. 10.11 vppon whome the endes of the worlde are come, that we might be afrayde to prouoke God as our Fathers did.
Birdes.
AS the Birdes falleth not into the Snare where no Fowler is:Amos. 3.5.7 so God reuealeth not his secreates to his people but by his Prophets. Sparrowes and other small birdes taken by the Fowler and offered to be sold, should make vsus cal to mind how prouident and carefull a Father we hauehave in heauen,Math. 10.29. whose prouidence stretcheth it selfe to the smallest thinges vppon the earth, for not one of these poore birdes are caught without the will of our heauenly Father.
When we see birdes flie to their nestes, then are we thankfully to remember to how vile,Math. 8.20 pore and base estate, our Sauiour Christ abased himselfe, that he might enriche vsus, seeing he had no place of his owne in the earth to rest his head in, So that in worldly respect he was worse prouided for then poore birdes.
Further,Math. 6.26 our preposterous care in heaping vp goodes for our selues and our posterity, is rebuked by the poore foules of the ayre, who notwithstanding they looke but for their present necessitie, yet God feedeth them.
Bitte.
AS a sharpe Bitte put in the Horse mouth maketh vsus able to rule his whole body,Iames. 3.2.3 and compelleth him to obey vsus: so he that can bridle his tongue, shall the better rule all his other affections.
Blindnesse.
WHen we see long continued Blindnesse and ignoraunce begunne to be taken away by preaching of the word,Esay. 35.5 then we are to acknowledge that the time of ye kingdom of Christ is come, which Esay prophecied of saying: the eyes of the blinde shall be lightned, and the eares of the deafe shal be opened.
The groping of a blind man for the wal, when he knoweth not how to come by a guide,Esay. 59.10 plainly expresseth the heauy iudgement of God vponupon vsus, Where are such numbers ignorant and destitute of leaders, not knowing by whom to be guided.
Further when we see them that take vppon them the place and state of leaders to be as blind as the best, then let vsus know that the vengeaunce threatned to the Church by the Prophet Esay is come vponupon vsus, seeing our watch-men are blinde, and hauehave no knowledge,Esa. 56.16. they are dumbe dogges, they can not barke. Those that content them selues to be led by them shall perish with them. Therefore Christ counselleth vsus to leaue them.Math. 15 14.
Bloud.
MEn that delight in blouddines, shall hauehave their recompence with bloud.Ezech. 35.6.
Without shedding of bloud there is no remission of sinnes:Heb. 9.22.10. ver. 4. but it is impossible ye the bloud of Bulles and goats should take away sinnes: wherfore it was necessarye that the bloud of Iesus Christ Gods own Sonne should cleanse vsus from all sinne.1. Iohn. 1.7.
The stone cryeth out of the wall, the Beame out of the timber shall aunswere it,Aba 2.11.12 woe to him that buildeth a towne with bloud, and erecteth a Citie with iniquity.
Bodie.
THe body compacted of many members, setteth before vsus the vnity that ought to be amongst all true Christians,1. Cor. 12.12 13. Ephe. 4.4 who are the misticall body of Iesus Christ. The multitude of the members of our body with the varietie of their vses and offices,1. Cor. 12.8.9.10.11. declareth the varietie and measure of Gods gifts diuersly distributed to the particuler members of the Church, according to the good wil of the giuer. That eueryevery member hath need of an other, and eueryevery office of each member is profitable for the whole body, teacheth, that euen so the varietie of giftes diuerslye distributed vntounto the Church,Ephe. 4.7. are giuen to profit withall, and to edifie the whole body of Christ in louelove.
Further, that those members which seem most vile,1. Cor. 2.25 carry a meruailous necessity with them that they cannot be spared, It admonisheth vsus to beware of diuision, which groweth often by contempt of those who want the greater and more excellent giftes, and yet whome the Church can not spare.
Lastly,Roma. 15.1 as the bones beeing the stronger, beare vp the skinne and f…eshe which is the weaker: so we whome GOD hath endued with greater strength, should learne to bear with many infirmities in others.
When we see any vile or loathsome body,Phil. 3.21. then let vsus remember that it expresseth our present miserable estate, which notwithstanding shall be chaunged by him that is able to subdue al things to him selfe, to a glorious immortall state.
Bondmen.
By Bond-men and bondwo-men compared with the state of those which are free, we learn the difference of the two Testamentes,Galat. 4.24. & so to the end of the chapter. and the freedome that wee are called vntounto by Christe, with the slauery that they remaine in which are not of the Church of God.
Barrelles.
BArrelles newly tunned with Liquor that worketh, if they hauehave not vent breake,Iohn. 32.19 which sheweth how painfull a thing it is for that man to holde his peace, that loueth to speake, and is delighted to here him selfe.
Bowes.
LIke as a Bowe bent with an arrowe ready set in it to shotte at any thing,Psalme. 11.6 37. v 41 erse. So are the deuises of the wicked against the godly. As he whose Bowe breaketh in drawing misseth his marke▪ So the enterprices and endeauours of the wicked, euen then when they thinke to destroy the godly, are broken and come to naught.
Brandes.
WHen wee see Brandes-endes burning, which very shortly will be burnt out or quenched out, Then we are to remember that the holy ghoste compareth to them, the deuises attemptes and threatninges of wicked Kings,Esai. 74.7. when God doth not establishe and ratifie their Councells.
Bread.
BRead should bring to our minde,Ioh. 6.48.51. that Christ is the Bread of life. And as Bread perishing, nourisheth vsus in this life for a small time▪ so Christe the Breade that perisheth not,Iohn. 6.58. but endureth for euer, norisheth to euerlasting life.Ioh. 6.26, 27 Therfore our labour and paynes for the Breade that perisheth shoulde warne to take greater paines for the breade that came from Heauen.Ioh. 6.35.40 And as hee that will bee nourished by Breade, must eate it:Iohn. 6.55 1. Cor. 10.17 So hee that will bee benefited by Christe, must beleeue in him. Further, the properties of the bread, eaten representeth vntounto vsus, the properties of Christes fleshe, in whome wee beleeue.
Fynally, wee are admonished what vnitie shoulde bee amongest our selues, by eating of one bread, made of many graines.
Bookes.
THe sight of a booke clasped, shoulde make vsus feare the vengeance of God, for our vnkinde contempt of his worde,Esa. 29.11.12 least hee leauing vntounto vsus the Bookes of his Lawe, yet take away our wit and vnderstanding, so that ye hauing of the bookes profite vsus as much, as the looking on the backside of the booke, doth benefite them that cannot open it, or the looking of the inner side doth to them that cannot reade or knowe a Letter.
Bottelles.
AS easy as it is for men when they hauehave filled Bottelles with Wine, to spoil and break them by dashing them together:Iere. 13.12.13.14.1 So easy is it for the Lorde to fill all estates and sortes of them that dispise him with dronkennesse, And then by setting debate and dissention amongest them, vtterly to destroy them.
As newe Wine with the strength of the working thereof will breake old bottelles: so that if in them it shoulde be turned, it were but spilte and lost:Math. 9.17. so those who hauehave placed righteousnesse in the outward exercises of religion, can-not sauour, taste or receiue the Doctrine of righteousnesse by fayth onelyonly in Christ.
As an earthen bottell, when it is broken to peeces, the shardes cannot be set together agayne: So when God is disposed to punish wicked people,Iere. 19.10.11. no man can helpe or heale them.
Breast-plate.
IN putting on a Breast-plate, the Souldier is to consider what a perillous enemy the Diuell is,1. Thes. 5.8. and howe safely Fayth and LoueLove doth protect our breaste and heart against him.
Breath.
KIngs, Princes and Iudges can not abide the breath of Gods displeasure:Esa 40.23.24 for at it they wither away and come to nothing.
Mans breath is in his Nostrelles, therefore he is not to be feared nor esteemed nor trusted vntounto:Esa. 2.22 For his breath departeth, he returneth to his earth,Psal. 146.4 and then his thoughts perish.
As breath is to the bodye of man: So is a godlye King to the people whome hee gouerneth.Lam. 4.20.
Brookes.
MEn, when they see in Summer brookes dried vp ye ranne with aboundance of water in Winter by reason of raine or Snowe thawed,Iob. 6.14.15.16.17.18. are to remember that they resemble men that fail, forsake, and giuegive ouer their freends in the time of greatest neede, and when their help and comfort is most wanted.
Brides.
THe ioye that the newe married Bridegroome maketh ouer his bride, representeth vntounto our consideration, the reioycing of God ouer his spirituall Ierusalem,Esa. 62.5. that is to say, his Church purchased to him by the bloude of his deare Sonne.
As ye bride pertaineth to none but to the bridegrome: So the Church pertaineth to Christe alone.Hose. 2.19. 2. Cori. 11.2. Iohn. 3.19. And as eueryevery true freende to the Bridegrome reioyseth to see the brydegromes voyce obeyed, so eueryevery Godly man is glad to see eueryevery member of the Church to frame them selues to the obedience of the worde of Christe.
The decking of the bride setteth out the glorious estate of Gods glorified Church.Apoc. 21.2
Building.
WHen we see men building we are to remember,Psalm. 127.1 Ierem. 22.13 that that which God buildeth not, men labour about it in vaine: Therefore, Woe is iustly pronounced agaynste them that builde their Houses by vnrighteousnesse, and their Chambers without equity.
As a building set vp with vntempered Morter, the Morter Crumbleth and washeth away, with eueryevery storme,Ezec. 13.10.11 So is the peace and prosperity, that false Prophetes promise the people, and preach vntounto them out of their owne hearts, when God hath not sent them.
luk. 14.28.29By the Care that builders, hauehave to consider afore they beginne, howe the chardges may bee defrayed: wee are admonished to consider what the greatnesse of our profession of Christianitie requireth.
Christians are Gods building.1. Cor. 3.9.
When we see one man build a house, and an other man dwell therein,Amos. 5.11. then let vsus consider that such shall our rewarde be, if we oppresse and rob the poore.
As those that buylde without a good foundation, either the wind or water ouerthroweth it, so they which in matters of faith staye not themselues vponupon the Worde,Math. 7.27 but vppon the credite of their Teachers, shall not be able to withstande the subtilties of the Diuell, but be ouerthrown.
B…lles.
AS wild bulles, young lusty and strong, so is the rage of malicious wicked men in persecuting.Psal. 22.11.
Bulwarkes.
VUhen we see mightye strong bulwarkes to strengthen an hold,Esay. 26.1. then let vsus call to mind that saluation it selfe is the bulwarke or safe defence of the Citie of God.
Buriall.
BVriall, shoulde put vsus in minde of our buriall with Christ in Baptisme,Rom. 6.4. Collos. 2.12. and that we ought to liue as men dead to sin, and yet raysed againe to newnes of life.
Butter.
BVtter in smoothenesse and softnesse representeth vntounto vsus the wordes,Psal. 55.21. and speeche of the wicked, when they moste of all intend to deceiue, and beguile the simple.
Cage.
AS cages doe ordinarily serue for keeping of Byrdes: So the Howses of wicked and vngodly men, doe ordinarily serue for inuenting of deceites: And as for the most part, cages are full of Byrdes,Ier. 5.27. so the dwelling places of the wicked, are replenished with all manner of guiles, whereby they become greate and waxe ritch.
Candle.
THe Godly after the darknesse of Affliction and trouble, being restored to prosperity, are like a candle lighted vp in a darke house.Psal. 18.28. As a Candle light, ought not to bee put vnderunder a Bushell, but set vppon a Candlesticke, that all they that come into the house may see light by it: So the Ministers of the Worde, ought not to hide their giftes,Mark. 4.21. but so playnly to set foorth the light of Gods moste Holy Worde, that eueryevery man in the Churche may thereby bee guided and directed in his calling.Mat. 5.15.16 Further, as the Candle lighteth euerye man in the howse: So shoulde our good and wise dealing and conuersation shine bright before men,1. Pet. 2.12. that GOD by vsus may bee glorified. Nowe that this light may so shine in vsus,Luke. 11.33.34. wee must bee carefull to followe the true light, and that wee deceyue not our selues, making that our light which is but darknesse.
The prosperity of the wicked,Iob. 21.17. is like a Candle which is often put out.
Canker.
THe Canker and rust fretting and consuming, euen those thinges that amongest men are so precious,Math. 6.19. shoulde alienate our mindes, and estraunge our affections from those thinges on earth, which so shortly perish.
Carpenter.
MInisters, like wise and skilfull Carpenpers, shoulde laye the Foundation which onelye maye bee layde, which is Christe Iesus, And then take meruailous heede that they erect nothing thereupon,1. Cor. 3.10.11.12. but that which will abide the Fire of GODS owne examination.
Carelesnesse.
WHen we see Carelesnesse of religion encrease in the world, and men frame them selues to liue in securitie which waye so euer the worlde turne,Esay. 28.18 thinking to make falshoode their refuge, and to hide them selues vnderunder vanitie: Then let vsus remember that their couenaunt with death shal be disanulled,1. Thes. 5.3 and their agreement with hell shall not stande, when God sendeth a scourge it shall take them, and they shall be troden downe by it: euen when they say peace peace, all is safe, then shall sodaine destruction come vponupon them.
Cart.
AS a Cart that is laden with sheaues of corne in haruest is pressed vnderunder the load.Amos: 2.13 So God is pressed with bearing with those that are giuen ouer to sinne and wickednesse.
Iob. 12.7Cattaile.
THe Cattaile of the fielde, the Fowles of the heauen, the fishe of the sea, they set forth and declare their Creator.
Psal 62.12.Cedres.
THe height of Cedres in a ground fit for them doth expresse and shew how highly God doth aduaunce the righteous.
Cheese.
THe making of Cheese, and the tourning of milke to Curdes,Iob. 10.10. and the setting of them togeather, representeth vntounto vsus our making.
Childbirth.
SO often as Women with child feele griefes and paynes,Genes. 3.16. either in their trauell or before, let them thinke that it is a penalty first layde vppon Eue for sinne, and after togeather with sinne deriued to her posterity. And further let them assure them selues that God in all other, as well his threatnings as his promises will be so found true, as they by fearefull experience hauehave founde him true in this from the beginning of the world to this present day.
When we see women trauailing in Childbirth, Esay. 37.3.and not hauing strength to bring foorth, then let vsus remember, that euen so it is with vsus in the dayes of trouble and tribulation, if God therein leaue vsus and forsake vsus. Also let vsus call to mind that, that which is borne of fleshe is fleshe,Iohn. 3.6. and so be mindfull of the corruption that we brought into the worlde by our first natiuitie, and moste earnestly call vppon God, that he will vouchsafe by his mighty working of his most holy spirite, to make the Worde preached the seede of a new birth, and the beginning of a new life to vsus. The exceeding ioye of the mother for the byrth of her Child, immediatly after the great sorrowes and griefes in her trauell,Iohn. 16.21. teacheth to vsus the maruailous chaunge of the state of the godly in this life, with that which is to come.
The great and wonderfull paines of a woman in child-birth,Gala. 4.19. expresseth the great paines, toyle, and griefe which true Ministers of Christ take, to forme and fashion Christ in them that pertain to their charge.