A Treasury of Similes, Part I

A Treasury of Similes · Part I

p. 401Ingratitude of baſe borne perſons and others.

AS the Iuie ſticking to the boughs of trees, is ſo by the others helpe exalted; and yet as it were by a flattering and ouer-hard embracing, doth either kill, or much hinder the growing of the trees: So baſe borne perſons, that bee promoted in honour, p. 402by the helpe and familiaritie of them that be noble, doo yet oftentimes oppreſſe them, by whoſe helpe they hauehave aſcended, and hauehave beene aduaunced.

Imperfections, doo not make God to refuſe vsus.

1 AS a Father caſteth not away his children, becauſe they are ſicke, crooke-backt, blind, or maymed of hand or foote, or otherwiſe counterfeit and Imperfect, but handleth them more tenderly, and dealeth more ſoftly with them, then with the others, reſpecting their debilitie and feebleneſſe. Or as men caſt not away Wine, though it hauehave lees or grounds; nor caſt away Gold howſoeuer it be couered with duſt: And as a husbandman refuſeth not land, though it be ouer-grown with brambles and bryers, but will vſe the greater diligence to ſtocke it, & to plough it, hoping by his labour, that it wil bring foorth fruit plentifully: Euen ſo God likewiſe, will not refuſe and put vsus away, becauſe hee ſeeth many Imperfections and infirmities in vsus; nay, rather that is an occaſion, that hee will take the greater pittie vponupon vsus. Pſal. 103.13.

2 As wee looking aſide through a Glaſſe, be it blew or yealow, or of any other colour, all the things wee ſee, ſeeme to vsus to be of the colour of the glaſſe, throgh which we did behold them: So God alſo, beholding and looking vponupon vsus in his Sonne, we ſeeme to him to be of his colour, (notwithſtanding our manifold Imperfections & wants) & we hauehave the appearance and brightnes of his innocencie and righteouſneſſe, which cauſeth, that in ſeeing, and touching vsus, he thinketh, he ſeeth and toucheth his owne naturall Sonne: Euen as olde Iſaac did in handling Iaacob. Gene. 27.21, 22.

Infirmities, why God ſuffereth them in the beſt.

LIke as a Iudge dealeth with vsus in ſome criminall proceſſe, who will giuegive an enlargement, but yet with p. 403condition, or as they ſay with a quouſque; that is, till, the the time that hee calleth it backe, and putteth him in his former eſtate, wherein he was before, if it happen that he fall into any new fault againe. The Iudges doo this to keepe them alwayes in feare and diligence, to doo their dutie, and to ſtop them from taking too great libertie: So likewiſe God doth with vsus, when he will pardon our ſins, and ſet vsus at libertie, leauing vsus notwithſtanding a great ſort of Infirmities and Imperfections, which may alwayes ſerue him, to charge vsus, and for matter to cal vsus to a reckoning, whē we would wind out of that bondage, and boaſt our ſelues abroade of the goodlineſſe of our reaſon and loyaltie.

Right Iuſtice is to bee iudged by the authoritie of Gods will.

AS often as there is any malefactor and wicked perſon to be puniſhed, they which be appointed to bee the Iudges, 'doo declare vntounto the Prince his wicked fact, and ſo looke for a writte from him; and that beeing had, they doo ſee the paines preſcribed therein, to bee executed vponupon the malefactor. Now if the Iudges or Officers, doo any thing contrarie vntounto that, it is taken for a great offence and rebuke done againſt the authoritie and iuriſdiction of the Prince, and they eſcape not cleare withall: Euen ſo it is a much more Iuſt matter before God, that none bee put to death contrarie or beſides his will and word, who is the onelyonly Lord of life and death.

Ignorance.

1 AS men that dreame, and wake againe, who when they are a ſleepe, thinke to hauehave found ſome great treaſure, and hauehave a great ioy in it; but after their waking, they ſee that all is vaniſhed like ſmoake; whereupon they vex and grieue themſelues: So likewiſe men ſlumbering p. 404in the night of Ignorance, thinke that they are righteous before God, but they are grieued when they find that this is a dreame, which paſſeth through their ſpirites, and vaniſheth as ſoone as they be awake, and are deliuered from the darkneſſe of Ignorance, wherein they were a ſleepe and buried.

2 As in the night by reaſon of the darkneſſe ſpread vponupon the earth, all things are hid and couered; which cauſeth that we cannot diſcerne and diſcouer the ſpots which we hauehave in our faces; but when the light beginneth to appeare, & that we take a Glaſſe to behold our ſelues therin, then they are diſcouered, and ſhew themſelues: Euen ſo likewiſe, during the time that we are couered with darkeneſſe of Ignorance, the vices that dwell in vsus, are hidden there; and oftentimes wee thinke, being leprous and deformed, that wee are beautifull and perfect; but our eyes being open, and illuminate by the ſpirite and grace of our God, and taking the Glaſſe of the Law, therein to behold the ſtate of our natur & our life, thē we begin to know the great and grieuous imperfections that are in vsus; and we at once looſe the opinion which wee had conceiued before of our own righteouſneſſe and vertues, and perceiue what daunger we were in before.

3 As men ſomtimes enquire for them, amongſt whom they doo ſtand: So ſome are Ignorant in that which is ſo plaine, that all others know it, and they can hardly auoide the knowledge of it.

4 Like as the day and the night is all one to thoſe that are blind: Euen ſo is ſuperſtition, Idolatrie, and the preaching of the Goſpell, to thoſe that are Ignorant of the meanes of their ſaluation.

5 As they that louelove not the light, hide their dooings in the darke, ſo as it is a manifeſt token, that their owne conſciences p. 405beareth thē witneſſe, that their doings be naught: So likewiſe they that louelove and chooſe rather Ignorance, then the knowledge of Chriſt; it is a manifeſt token that they loath to ſee the filthineſſe of their owne works. Iohn. 3.19, 20.

6 As he that goeth in the darke catcheth a ſhrewd turne afore he woteth of it: So he that walketh in Ignorāce, runneth headlong to deſtruction, when he leaſt thinketh of it.

7 As Lot was ſo long loytering and trifeling in Sodome, that the Angel was faine to plucke him out with violence: Euen ſo certainely, vnleſſe the Lord by the good meanes of his prouidence, ſhould plucke vsus out of Ignorance and darkneſſe, wherein we vſe ſuch trifling, and plunging, and delaying, that ſcarce one of a thouſand would bee ſaued. Gene. 19.15, 16.

8 As the light of Godly knowledge increaſeth vertue: So the darkeneſſe of Ignoraunce, is a hinderance to all goodneſſe.

Immoderate ſtudie.

AS the field ouermuch dunged, is burned, & withereth away: So Immoderate ſtudy and learning, doth vtterly dull and make blunt the ſtudents braine.

Iniurie.

LIke as if any doo offer any Iniurie or bodily harme to a Doue, or a ſheepe, or to any innocent creature, thogh it be vntounto death, yet they will not make any reſiſtance: So likewiſe, if any Iniurie or wrong bee done to the faithfull ſeruants of God, they will patiently ſuffer it, without any reſiſtance, &c.

Inſtructers of children.

1 AS the good ryders, doo firſt bring their horſe to be obedient vntounto the bridles: So they that Inſtruct children, muſt firſt exhort them to obedience and humilitie.

p. 4062 As Hannah made Coates for her Sonne Samuel, who ſerued in the houſe of God: So likewiſe parents and maiſters, ought to array their ſeruants and children with the godly ornaments of wiſedome and knowledge, which is from aboue. 1. Sam. 2.19. Prou. 4.9.

3 Like as a man will ſow his ground with the beſt ſeed, and plant his Orchard with the beſt fruite, becauſe he looketh for the greater and more gainfull increaſe in the time of gathering: So in like manner, men louing their children as well as they doo other commodities, ought alſo to traine them vp in the beſt things, which are found in the diſcipline, knowledge and faith of Chriſt; and ſo doing, they ſhould not only eſcape many a ſecret griefe, and bitter miſchiefe; but alſo bleſſe the Lord with great ioyfulneſſe, when they finde this fruite of their education, in knowledge of theſe good things: Namely, their children to be a comfort, refreſhing & honour to their gray haires, and their ſeruants neceſſarie helpes before them, in all good cauſes and matters of honeſtie, truth, Iuſtice, and merciemercy. Gal. 6.7.

Inconstant men.

1 AS the beaſt Hienae, and the beaſt of Egypt (now called the Mouſe of Indie) be ſometimes males, ſometimes females: So many be ſo Inconſtant, that now they bee friendes, now foes, now Papiſts, now Proteſtants, now hotte, now colde, now wiſe, now fooliſh, &c. Reuela. 3.15, 16.

2 As the Reede is ſhaken too and froo, with euerie little ſmall wind: Euen ſo ſuch is the Inconſtancie and mutabilitie of the common people, whome euerie ſmall trifle dooth cauſe to alter their minde and Iudgement. Math. 11.7.

p. 407Iudges.

1 AS the beame with ballances, doth bow towards that part, wherein is the greater weight: So ſome Iudges fauour them moſt, whoſe gifts be greateſt, and not whoſe cauſe is beſt. Iob. 15.34. Deut. 16.19. & 27.25. 1. Sam. 12.3.

2 As they which deſire with heede, and more ſurely to ſee, doo ſhut the one eye: So a Iudge, to the intent that he may diſcerne according vntounto Iuſtice and equitie, ought not to bee partiall, or giuen to the reſpect of any perſon, but ought to hauehave one ſingle eye, which is to bee ſet and placed vponupon Iuſtice and equitie in eueryevery matter, and not to regard either perſons or rewardes. 1. Sam. 8.3. Eſa. 1.23. & 33.15. Pſal. 15.5.

3 As a white or painted Wall, the brauery wherof, ſerueth for no profit, but for a meere ſhewe: Euen ſo ſuch is the profit that commeth to the common-wealth by thoſe Iudges, which ſitting in place of Iuſtice, do wrong to men contrarie to the Lawes. Act. 23.3.

4 As a Iudge muſt not wrong one for anothers ſake: So muſt he not vniuſtly fauour one, becauſe an other hath diſpleaſed him. Deut. 1.16, 17. Prou. 24.23.

5 As the Lyon though he be the King of beaſts, yet at length is made a pray to ſmall Birds; and then is that ſaying verified: Better is a liuing Dogge, then a dead Lyon: Euen ſo Iudges and Rulers, although they be great in authoritie, yet at the laſt, they are but a bayt for the ſmall wormes. Eccle. 9.4.

Idleneſſe.

1 AS water, though it be neuer ſo cleare and faire, freſh and comfortable, yet if it ſtand ſtill in a pit or hole, or be kept long in a veſſell, whence it hath no iſſue, it will rot and ſmell, and bee vnwholeſome: Euen ſo it fareth with children, yea and with all the Sonnes of Adam, if they bee p. 408Idle, hauehave nothing to doo, and no way to beſtow their wit, they will rot, and prooue vnwholeſome, and deuiſe miſchiefe, all the day long. Prou. 28.19. 1. Timo. 5.13. 2. Theſ. 3.10, 11.

2 As labour and exerciſe of body in one man; induſtrie and diligence of mind in an other man, are ſure forts and ſtrong bulwarkes of Countries: Euen ſo Idleneſſe and negligence, are the cauſe of al euil; for an Idle mans braine, becommeth quickly the ſhop of the diuell.

3 As in all naturall things, there is one thing or other, which is the ſpoyle of it, as the canker to the Roſe, the worme to the Apple, and the Caterpiller to the leafe: So the common ſpoyle to all youth, is the contrarie to paines and trauaile, which is Idleneſſe. Ezech. 16.49.

4 As the trayterous ſeruant, while his maiſter is a ſleepe and all things at reſt, ſetteth open the doore for the theefe to enter in vppon him, and ſpoyle him at his pleaſure: So Idleneſſe, while we are not aware, lying ſoft vponupon the pillowes of ſecuritie, openeth the doore for the diuell to enter into vsus, with full ſwing, to the deſtruction both of body and ſoule.

5 Like as while men ſlept (ſaith the Euangeliſt) the enemie came, and ſowed Tares among the Wheate: So the fitteſt time, that the diuell can finde to worke vponupon vsus, is when wee are Idle, for that is the ſleepe of the ſoule. Iudge. 16.1. &c.

6 Euen as a firebrand, drawne from the fire, and lying ſtil, waxeth cold, & by little & litle dieth, and is extinct, but beeing mooued and put to the fire, burneth and flameth: Euen ſo, an Idle life, dooth by little and little extinguiſh vertue; but being will exerciſed, it doth kindle & encreaſe the ſame. Iob. 5.7. Math. 2.1. &c. 1. Cor. 3.8.

7 As Idleneſſe breedeth pouertie and beggerie, in very p. 409many which might liue well, and in good ſort, with diligent and faithfull labour: So is the ſame very daungerous in thoſe that be rich, and feele no ſmart nor want in this life, for whiles they giuegive themſelues to foule Idleneſſe, voluptuouſneſſe doth ouercome reaſon, and they are ſnared and taken in the deadly trappes of the deceitful flickerings of the world, and are poyſoned with carnall pleaſures, and fleſhly delights, which doo beare them faire in hand for a little while, but at the length doo deceiue them, and leaue them in ſhame and confuſion. Gene. 3.19. 2. Theſſa. 3.10.

8 As the earth when it is not tilled, or trimmed, dooth breede and bring foorth bryers, brambles, nettels, and all noyſome and vnprofitable things: So Idleneſſe in man, doth breede and broode in him, vngodly thoughts, and wicked cogitations of all ſortes, and dooth allure, hale, draw, and euen drag him, to doo thoſe things which are ſo odious in the ſight of God, that he muſt either moſt earneſtly repent that he hath done them, or elſe, hee muſt die eternally for doing of them.

9 As by the pumpe of a Ship, water doth often ſecretly get in and increaſeth, ſo that through the negligence of the Maryner, the Sip is drowned: So by Idleneſſe, wicked thoughts, & concupiſcences, are multiplyed in our harts, till at length our ſoules are in great daunger.

10 As the Crab-fiſh (as Plinie ſaith) when he ſeeth the Oyſter lye gaping againſt the Sunne beames, putteth a Pible into the mouth of the Oyſter, and ſo getteth out the fiſh: So likewiſe when wee lye Idle in ſecuritie, the diuell ſtealeth into vsus.

10 Like as in a ſtanding water, wormes are ingendred and bred: So likewiſe in an Idle body, are engendred Idle thoughts; and therefore wee muſt alwayes bee doing of p. 410ſome good workes, that the diuell may finde vsus alwayes well occupied and exerciſed.

11 As by experience we ſee, that thoſe children which hauehave beene brought vp in learning and vertue, proue honeſt and profitable for the common-wealth: Euen ſo contrariwiſe, thoſe children which hauehave paſt their time in ſlouth and Idleneſſe, prooue diſhoneſt and hurtfull to the Church and Common-wealth.

Ignorant men.

1 AS thoſe people will neuer come to the Phyſition to be healed, which thinke not themſelues to be ſicke: So likewiſe there are no people more vnapt to be taught, and lightned of God vntounto ſaluation, then thoſe which thinke they vnderſtand, and ſee of themſelues, when in very deed they are altogether Ignorant, and for lacke of vnderſtanding, be ouerwhelmed and ſnared in the darkeneſſe wherein they were borne, and ſo wallow themſelues therein continually, to their vtter deſtruction. Pſal. 95.10. Eſay. 59.10.

2 Like as that man, that is Ignorant of the principles and rules that appertaine vntounto the Science or Arte that he profeſſeth, can neuer come to the end, skill, or perfection, that his profeſſion requireth: Euen ſo the ende of a Chriſtian man, is eternall life, and his profeſſion is to know and learne the principles and rules that moſt plainly and ſincerely, leadeth him vntounto this end of euerlaſting felicitie. For he that is Ignorant of the meanes, is Ignorant of the end; and being Ignorant of the cauſes, muſt needes be Ignorant of the effect. Iohn. 17.3. Eſay. 1.3. & 5.13. Prou. 1.28, 29.

3 As he that will bee a Phyſition, muſt learne the precepts that teacheth Phyſicke; and he that would be a Muſition, muſt learne the rules of Muſicke: The Oratour, the p. 411rules of Rhetoricke: The Ploughman, the rules of Huſbandrie; and ſo euerie man the rules that belong to his profeſſion, or elſe hee ſhall neuer profit in his Science or Arte, nor be accounted a Craftes-man, that knoweth not the principles of his craft: Euen ſo no more (before the maieſtie of God) is hee to bee accounted a Chriſtian, although he bee baptized, and braggeth neuer ſo much of the name of a Chriſtian, that perfectly knoweth not the duties belonging to a Chriſtian man. 2. Theſ. 1.6, 7, 8, 9. Rom. 3.12.

4 As no man will bee content to entertaine and giuegive wages to a ſeruant, that profeſſeth …ſelfe in wordes to be a Husbandman, and yet neither knoweth, nor can doo any part that belongeth to husbandrie: Euen ſo we may not thinke, that God wil allow or like of ſuch men, as outwardly in words profeſſe themſelues to be Chriſtians, by ſaying, they hope and beleeue well; and yet are Ignorant, and not able to render a reaſon of any point of Chriſtianitie. Leuit. 4.2.

5 Like as the Phyſition cannot communicate his health, to, and with his ſicke patient: Or as the liuing man cannot diuide or depart his life, with the dead body of an other man, but eueryevery man enioyeth his owne health, and liueth with his own life: So, the knowledge that another man hath, profiteth not him that is Ignorant and vnlearned, but euerie man muſt knowe and learne himſelfe, the grounds and principles of Chriſtianitie, if hee will bee ſaued.

6 Like as if a child bee borne and brought vp in a dungeon of a pryſon, and grow to ſome yeares, neuer ſeeing light, if one tell him of trees and mountaines, and Birdes, and other ceátures, hee cannot tell what he meaneth: So likewiſe it is with vsus, which are borne in blindneſſe and p. 412Ignorance, we know not what heauenly thinges meane, till we be told and ſhewed them, by the light of the Scriptures.

Iuſtice of God in deſertions.

LIke as if a Magiſtrate, giuegive a man for a iuſt cauſe to bee hanged, hee doth but Iuſtice: So likewiſe God, if he for our diſobedience, giuegive vsus vp to Sathan, he dooth but iuſtly. Now if the hangman doo miſuſe him grieuouſly, there is no faulte in the Iudge or Magiſtrate, but in the malice of the hangman: So likewiſe no fault in God, if the diuell doo cruelly handle vsus, beeing giuen ouer vntounto him.

Infirmitie of falling, diminiſheth not the grace of Christ.

THough God forgiueth and pardoneth not ſinners, becauſe they ſhould ſinne: Yet dooth not infirmitie of falling, diminiſh the grace of Chriſt, where faith with repentance worketh. Rom. 6.15.16. &c.

All muſt appeare before the Iudgement ſeate of Christ, but yet diuerſly.

1 LIke as ſome do come to the Aſsiſes or Seſſions, there to receiue their Iudgement, and condemnation; other ſome alſo come to giuegive euidence againſt them, and to ayde and aſſiſt the Iudge in the execution of his office: Euen ſo after the ſame manner ſhall it bee at the laſt day: For the reprobate, vngodly, and mercileſſe, ſhall appeare there, to receiue their deſerued condemnation; but contrariwiſe, the faithfull ſhall then with the Angels, come to aſſiſt and waite vponupon their Iudge Chriſt. Math. 18.28, 29. &c. Math. 19.28. Luk. 22.29. 1. Cor. 6.2, 3.

2 As at the barre of an earthly Iudge, the malefactor is brought out of priſon and ſet before the Iudge, and there examined: Euen ſo in that great day, ſhal eueryevery man without p. 413exception, bee brought before the Lord to be tryed. Rom. 14.10. 2. Cor. 5.10.

Idolatrie.

1 LIke as if men take and account it for a deſpite and a great reproach, to be termed & named an Idol: Euen ſo, much more wil God our heauenly Father be offended, if any ſhall call Images the likeneſſes of God.

2 As the breach of wedlocke, and defiling of the marriage bed by filthie Adulterie, is a moſt wicked and deteſtable ſinne: So likewiſe is Idolatrie, a moſt ſhamefull and execrable thing, when as the honour and glorie due to the liuing God, is prophaned and giuen to an other. Iere. 16.11. Ezech. 6.4. 2. King. 17.4. 1. Cor. 10.14.

3 As it cannot bee otherwiſe, but whereas the ayre is corrupted, there muſt follow peſtilence, and infection of the bloud: So where the mind is not purely perſwaded of God, muſt follow this groſſe and cenſible Idolatrie, that would honour God in an Idoll.

The Lord and his people are inſeparably Ioyned together.

AS a man girdeth himſelf with his girdle: Euen ſo God tyeth his people to himſelfe. Iere. 13.11.

Incorporation with Chriſt.

1 AS the Imp or graſſe is tranſlated from his natiue tree, to growe in an other: So we, as many as bee true Chriſtians, are tranſlated from Adam to Chriſt, and from being Gentiles, to bee of one body with the poſteritie of Abraham. Rom. 6.5. Rom. 11.17.

2 As men graffe, to that ende, that the Verdure of the ſtocke, may correct and amend the taſte of the fruite, that it may bee the more pleaſant to the eater: So Chriſtians ſhould hauehave their corruptions, corrected and amended p. 414by Chriſt, and his ſpirit working in them, that they may the better taſte to God.

3 As the Graffes liue not by his naturall Iuice, but by the Iuice or moyſture, receiued from the roote of the ſtocke, whereinto hee is graffed▪ So wee that are true Chriſtians, may liue by the power of Chriſts ſpirit working in vsus, or rather Chriſt liueth in vsus. Gal. 2.20.

Iuſtice of God.

AS farre as the great mountaine exceed the reſt of the earth: So farre dooth the Iuſtice of God exceed and excell the righteouſneſſe of any creature. Pſal. 36.6.

The reward of Iniquitie.

AS ploughing, reaping, and eating the fruite, doo ſucceſſiuely follow one an other: So hee that plougheth wickedneſſe, ſhall reape Iniquitie, and eate the fruite of lyes. Eſay. 28.24. Prou. 22.8.

Ingratitude of the Church.

AS a Vine planted, which neither for choyſe of good ground, neither for any other thing, which the hand of the Husbandman might doo to it, can iuſtly complaine of any want; and yet deceiueth the Husbandmans expectation, and maketh him to looſe, both paine, labour, and coſt: Euen fo ſuch is the vnkindneſſe of people oftentimes, who would be counted for the people of God, and whome God hath diligently called to the knowledge of himſelfe by the preaching of the word, and yet proceed in impietie and vngodlineſſe. Eſay. 5.1, 2.

Image of God.

1 LIke as when ſo oft as a man thinketh of ſome knowne man beeing abſent, hee doth as it were draw in his minde the proportion of his body, which hee beholdeth, thinking of him that is abſent out of the minde, as when a Painter draweth with his hand, the portraiture of that p. 415body, whoſe Image hee painteth; to the intent that the painted Image may repreſent as much as may be, the ſhape of him that is abſent: So likewiſe when the Scripture ſaith, that man was created in the Image and after the likeneſſe of God, we muſt diligently marke how farre hee is ſaid to hauehave beene ſo made, and that there was in him, whereby hee did reſemble the excellencie of his Creator, and did as it were repreſent God himſelfe in a Glaſſe. 1. Cor. 11.7. Ephe. 4.14. 2. Cor. 3.18.

2 Like as a bodily Image, which repreſenteth vntounto vsus the face of a man, ought liuely to ſet before vsus all his lineaments and proportions, that by the counterfeiting or engrauing, we might conceiue, whatſoeuer might be ſeene in him, which the ſame repreſenteth: Euen ſo the Image of God, muſt through the ſame likeneſſe, ſet before our ſenſes, a certain vnderſtanding of the knowledge of God. Gene. 1.26, 27. & 2.7. & 5.1.

The Incommunicable properties of the Godhead.

AS the ſoule of man is wholly in the head, and wholly in the feete, yea wholly in eueryevery part; and yet the ſoule cannot bee ſaid to vſe reaſon in the feete, or in any other part, but onelyonly in the head: Euen ſo, though all the perſons of the Godhead, bee one and the ſame eſſence, yet doo they really differ each from other in regard of the peculiar maner of ſubſiſting; and therefore mans nature may bee aſſumed of the ſecond perſon, and not aſſumed either of the Father, or of the holy Ghoſt.

Iustice.

1 AS the roote of a tree being vtterly rotten, the boughs cannot bud and flouriſh, nor bring foorth pleaſaunt fruites in their due time: So Iuſtice being violated, it cannot be, that peace can flouriſh, and bring forth ſo plentifull fruites as ſhee is wont to doo.

p. 4162 As the Image of Nabuchadnezzar, although it had an head of fine Gold, yet it fell, and was broken all to peeces, becauſe it had feete of clay, which beeing touched with a ſtone, ouerthrew the whole inuention: So Iuſtice many times falleth to the ground, becauſe, although the Princes which are rightly called the heads of their countries, be very excellent Iuſticers, and many as it were of the pureſt and fineſt Gold of vertue, yet the miniſters of Iuſtice are earthen, and doo bend their hearts and minds to nothing, but earth and clay, and ſometimes with giftes and rewards, they are carried eueryevery way; for gaine they will ſell Iudgement, and ſo breake the necke of Iuſtice. Dan. 2.32, 33.

3 As there is no aſſurance of faire weather, vntill the skie be cleare from cloudes: So there can be in no Common-wealth, a grounded peace and proſperitie, where there is not informers to finde out offences, as well as Magiſtrates to puniſh offenders.

4 As a Phyſition cannot ſee eueryevery ſecret griefe, but vppon reuealement, may applie a curable medicine for a hidden diſeaſe: So many can diſcouer a miſchiefe, which the magiſtrate ſeeth not, but the Magiſtrate alone muſt remedie the ſame.

No ſound Iudgement can be giuen of a man, vntill he be throughly tryed.

AS a Wall all whited on the out-ſide, is not eaſily perceiued, whether it bee made of ſtone, or of clay, vnleſſe it bee ſmitten, and tried with a mallet, or ſome other inſtrument: So a man garniſhed outwardly with good things to ſee too, is not by and by Iudged, and preſently diſcerned, whether hee be a man of patience, of charitie, and other vertues, vnleſſe he be firſt ſmitten and tried with p. 417the mallet or beetle of obloquies, ſlaunders, afflictions, troubles, and temptations.

Inuentions of men.

AS hey, wood, and ſtubble, put to the fire, are brought to ſuddaine conſuming: So the Inuentions of men, not ſtabliſhed by the word of God, cannot beare the tryall of the holy Ghoſt, but they by and by fall away and periſh. 1. Cor. 3.12, 13.

Inconſtant men.

1 EVen as the delicate Ballance of a Gold-ſmith is mooued with euerie little weight, ſo that with one graine laide vponupon it, it falleth downward: So with euerie thing, whether it be luckie or vnfortunate, we are wont to bee greatly mooued, and doo ſuddainly chaunge our purpoſes: Sometime wee exceed in mirth, and by and by wee are ouerwhelmed with ſorrow; we are euen now prayſing men to the skies; and preſently wee hurle them downe from heauen, with our tongues, and thruſt them into hell: We louelove men, and hate them; we ſaue men, and kil them, all with one breath; now wee chooſe vertue, and by and by vice.

2 As the Camelion chaungeth his colour, according to the thing whereupon he ſitteth: So we likewiſe at euerie temptation doo chaunge our mindes, and are driuen from our purpoſes and determinations, and our wicked luſts, and vngracious thoughts of our harts, doo force and driue vsus, euen whither they will.

3 As the Camelion will bee chaunged into any colour, ſaue white: So an Inconſtant man is moſt apt and prone, to all kind of vice, but to no vertue.

The Ioy of t…e elect.

1 AS the people reioyced exceedingly, when Saloman was crowned King: Euen ſo much more ſhall the p. 418Ioy of the elect bee, when they ſhall ſee Chriſt the true Salomon, crowned with glorie in the kingdome of heauen. 1. King. 1.40.

2 As the wiſe men, which came from the Eaſt to worſhip Chriſt, when they ſawe the ſtarre ſtanding ouer the place where the Babe was, were exceeding glad: So likewiſe much more ſhall the Elect reioyce, when they ſhall ſee Chriſt, not lying in a Manger, but crowned with Immortall glorie in the kingdome of heauen. Math. 2.1.9, 10.

The Ioyes of heauen endleſſe.

LIke as if the whole world were a Sea, and that euerie thouſand yeares expired, a Bird muſt carrie away or drinke vp one onelyonly drop of it; in proceſſe of time it will come to paſſe, that this Sea though verie huge, ſhall bee dried vp; but yet many thouſand millions of yeares muſt be paſſed before this can bee done: So likewiſe if a man ſhould Enioy happineſſe in heauen, onelyonly for the ſpace of time, in which the Sea is in drying vp, he would thinke his caſe moſt happie and bleſſed; but behold the Elect ſhall enioy the kingdome of heauen, not onelyonly for that time, but when it is ended, they ſhal enioy it as long againe, and when all is done, they ſhall bee as farre from the ending of this their Ioy, as they were at the beginning.

The generall day of Iudgement.

1 AS the Husbandman diggeth vp all vnfruitfull trees, pareth off all rotten boughes, weedeth out Cockle and Tares, and caſteth them into the fire: Euen ſo God will ſerue them, that he ſhall find emptie of good workes, and without Oyle in their Lampes. Math. 25.1, 2. &c.

2 As the Husbandman appointeth his ſeruant to purge his floure, and with the Fan hee ſeparateth the good ſeede from the chaffe: Euen ſo God ſhall ſend his Angels to hi… p. 419floure, that is into this world, & they ſhall carrie the good ſeede, to wit, the faithfull, into euerlaſting barnes; but the chaffe and droſſe, that is the vngodly, ſhall be throwne into a Furnace of fire, where ſhall be wayling and gnaſhing of teeth.

Illumination by Christ.

1 AS the lights of heauen which wee ſee placed in the firmament, for ſignes; and to diſtinguiſh times, daies, and yeares, doo giuegive light vntounto them which are on earth: So Chriſt doth Illuminate his Church, and giueth watch-words by his precepts, whereby it may knowe how to flie from the anger to come.

2 As the eyes of our body are not alwayes Illuminated of the Sunne alike, but the higher and nearer they come to it, the more they perceiue the force of the brightneſſe and heate thereof: Euen ſo our ſoules, the higher and nearer they approach to Chriſt, the more clearely they are Illuminated by him.

Sound Iudgement neceſſarie.

AS the eye is the ſight of the body, to guide and leade it in the right way, and if it bee cleare, the body cannot goe amiſſe: Euen ſo the Iudgement is the eye of the mind, which being ſound, true, and framed according to Gods word, then are our affections right, the actions and motions of our mind right, and good in Gods ſight, as far as mans weakneſſe can comprehend.

Our Iourney to heauen.

1 AS Trauellers that be vppon their Iourneys, doo not abide in thoſe Hoſteries or Innes where they are wel vſed, lodged, or entertayned, and where they finde plea…nt Gardens, walkes, or ſuch other intiſements; but after their baite, or in the Morning, doo paſſe on their way: E…en ſo we, albeit God in this life, giuegive vsus goods, honours, p. 420houſes, and other carnall commodities: yet wee muſt remember that we are trauellers, and muſt not ſtay, but goe forward on our Iourney toward heauen; yea and in caſe we be afflicted, with ſickneſſe, pouertie, or any other calamitie, yet muſt we ſtill thinke, that we are vponupon our Iourney, and therefore taking comfort, ſay: Peraduenture we ſhall be better to morrow. 1. Cor. 7.29. &c.

2 As they who are to depart from a forraine land towards their owne countrie, doo prepare things neceſſarie for their Iourney: So muſt we likwiſe prouide that which is expedient for the happie performance of our Iourney, towards our heauenly Countrie.

Vnbeleeuing Iewes.

AS that drie skin, which a Snake doth caſt, to renew her age, hath in it, the ſhape, likeneſſe, and prints of eyes, and that thin rinde alſo, wherewith the eyes of the Snake are couered, and yet in deed hath no ſeeing eyes: So the wicked and vnbeleeuing Iewes, did ſeeme to hauehave eyes, but in deed they were blinde, and Idle and emptie skins, and rindes without ſight; they were men, but not of God; they had eyes of the fleſh, but none of the ſpirit; they could ſee creatures, but they had not one eye, to beholde the Creator: And as for Chriſt; they had no more ſight nor knowledge of him, then they had of the Sunne and Moone, when they were yet in the wombes of their mothers. Iohn. 9.29.

The Infirmities of godly Fathers, are ſet downe in the Scripture, for our comfort and inſtruction.

EVen as they which firſt ſayled in the Seas, gaue proper names to daungerous Rockes, and perilous places, where they hardly eſcaped with their liues, to the end that their poſteritie by ſuch markes might ſhunne ſhipwracke, and paſſe ſafely away; calling places diuerſly; as the Sage p. 421bed, the Lauender bed; with other like names beſt known to Saylers. Or as Carters vſe to ſet vp ſome buſh, or other like marke, in that place where their Waine or Cart ſtuck faſt, for a warning to thē that come after: So likewiſe hauehave the godly Fathers, as the Patriarkes, Prophets, & Apoſtles, furthered vsus by their falls and Infirmities, and by their experience, taught vsus to eſchew many incombrances, which they becauſe they brake the Ice firſt themſelues, could not foreſee. 2. Sam. 11.2. &c. Iohn. 18.17.25, 27. Gal. 1.13. Luk. 15.12. &c.

Infidelitie.

1 LIke as the Moulde, which is blind to ſee things on earth, cannot ſee the ſtarres in heauen: So hee which will not beleeue God concerning things on earth, cannot beleeue him, concerning heauenly things.

2 Euen as a ſubiect or tenant, diſclooning his king and Lord, and relying himſelfe vponupon a new maiſter, euen one who is a deadly and profeſſed enemie to his firſt maiſter, doth incontinently depriue himſelfe of all thoſe farmes, lands, houſes, preferments, and commodities whatſoeuer, the which he did enioy, whilſt hee liued in alleagance to his Lord: So the caſe ſtandeth with man, when as by Infidelitie he falleth from God; for then he looſeth all manner of bleſſings, belonging either to his happineſſe, or to his holineſſe; yea it is impoſsible, that a man ſhould either louelove, feare, honour, or obey God, from whom he looketh for neither good nor euill, and therefore Infidelitie is to be accounted the roote of all euill. Hebr. 3.12.

Gods Iudgements not regarded of many.

1 AS lightning breaketh the cloudes, and the ſuddaine light dooth not ſo much illuminate, as dull the ſight of the eye: So many feeling the hand of God, are rather dulled then mooued forwards to heauen.

p. 4222 As skilfull Phyſitions in curing diſeaſes vſe certaine degrees; firſt they begin with gentler ſorts of ſalues, and if they doo little good, then they lay ſharper remedies vntounto the wound; for if medicines doo not heale, the yron doth heale; thoſe which the yron healeth not, the fire doth heale; but ſuch as the fire doth not heale, thoſe are incurable: So God doth ſometime reprooue mans wickedneſſe, by his word; if that dooth not helpe, hee correcteth with ſickneſſe, infamie, and Impriſonment; if theſe profite not, hee inflameth the fire of his Iudgement in the mindes of men, and maketh them agaſt and amazed with the terror of euerlaſting torments; if neither that can heale their cankor, he leaueth them quite as incurable, and giueth them ouer into a reprobate mind, ſo that they hauehave neither a right Iudgement to diſcerne things, nor any ſorrow at all, by reaſon of the filth of wickedneſſe, wherin they wallow.

Inſtrumentall cauſe of preaching.

AS a builder muſt hauehave not onelyonly an exquiſite skill in building, and an abilitie to accompliſh his skill, and faithfulneſſe to performe it, and meete matter or ſtuffe to worke vppon, but apt Inſtruments alſo or tooles to trie foorth and faſhion the building: So likewiſe a Preacher muſt not only hauehave the ſpirit of God to direct him in preaching, and vtterance to publiſh the ſame, and faithfulneſſe for the performance thereof, and matter to practiſe vponupon, but fit Inſtruments, alſo to proportionate the worke verie aptly in eueryevery point; namely Logicke, and Rhetoricke, with other artificiall helpes; which be (as it were) the Inſtrumentall, and cauſes of preaching.

Raſh Iudgement condemned.

AS it is the point of great raſhneſſe, & a thing diſallowed of all men, euen in worldly affaires, for one man to cōdemne another before he hauehave heard him: Euen ſo it is p. 423great folly for a man to giuegive his Iudgement vponupon ſpirituall matters, before hee hath well weighed and aduiſed of them. Act. 18.21. & 21.14. Rom. 1.10. & 15.32. 1. Cor. 4.19. Pſal. 115.3. Prou. 18.13.