A Treasury of Similes, Part L

A Treasury of Similes · Part L

p. 429LoueLove of the world.

AS a Nurſe that weaneth her childe, from the louelove and liking of her milke, doth annoynt her Teate with Alloes, Muſtard, or ſome other ſuch bitter thing: So our mercifull Father, to the end that he may retyre and weane vsus from the LoueLove of worldly delights, vſeth to ſend vsus tribulation, and affliction, which of all other things hath moſt force to worke that effect, as we ſee in the example of the prodigall Sonne. 1. Cor. 11.32. Luk. 15.12. &c.

Gods LoueLove.

1 AS a ſure friend, is not knowne but in time of neede: So Gods goodneſſe and LoueLove, is neuer ſo well perceiued, as it is in helping of vsus, when we cannot helpe our ſelues. Pſal. 41.11.

p. 4302 As Adams fall did ſerue to manifeſt Gods iuſtice and merciemercy, the one in puniſhing, the other in pardoning of ſinne, which otherwiſe wee had neuer knowne: So the troubles of the Church, ſerue to manifeſt, firſt our deſerts, by reaſon of our ſinnes; Secondly, our weakneſſe and inabilitie to helpe our ſelues; and thirdly, the Louing kindneſſe of the Lord our God, in ſauing and defending, that ſo we might be truely thankfull, and returne al the prayſe and glorie to God, and none to our ſelues. Rom. 9.22, 23.

3 As a Father keepeth his Sonne and heire ſhort, without any money in his purſe, or any thing elſe at his owne will, till the time come that hee ſhall inherite; and in great wiſedome he doth it, for if his Sonne ſhould hauehave the inheritance preſently, he wold waſt it, and ſpend it vainely: So God dealeth with his children; and for no other cauſe, both in ſingular wiſedome and LoueLove; that they may ſay afterward: By this I know that thou Loueſt me, &c. Pſal. 41.11.

Life variable and troubleſome.

1 AS the Sea by tempeſt is ſometimes troubleſome, and then is quiet and calme by faire weather againe: So the Life of man, ſometime is oppreſſed with ſorrow, and extreame neceſſitie, and ſomtimes it floweth with ioy and wealth at will.

2 As a flower ſo ſoone as it bloweth and is ripe, is cut downe, or very ſhortly gathered: So likewiſe is the continuance of a mans Life. Iob. 14.2. Eſay. 40.6, 7.

3 As the beautie of a flower ſodenly fadeth, & is quickly gone: So likewiſe is all the glorie and graces of all fleſh. Pſal. 103.15. Iam. 1.10, 11. 1. Pet. 1.24.

4 As now the Sunne is ſhadowed with cloudes, and by and by ſhineth forth bright: So likewiſe the Life of man is ſubiect to chaunge. Iob. 8.9.

p. 4315 As Vapours appeare for a little while, and afterward vaniſheth away quite out of ſight: Euen ſo the Life of man is quickly vaniſhed and gone. Iam. 4.14.

6 As wind ſuddenly paſſeth away with a blaſt: So alſo ſuddenly paſſeth the Life of man. Iob. 7.6, 7.

7 As there is no way ſo plaine, but it hath many turnings, and by-pathes, that vnleſſe a man take good heed, he may wander and goe out of his way: Euen ſo the Life of man, hath many by-pathes to walke in; ſo that vnleſſe he take great heede, hee wil eaſily wander out of the right way.

8 As there is no way but it hath a beginning, ſo it hath an ending: So likewiſe the Life of man, as it hath a beginning, ſo alſo it hath an ending.

Louer of vertue.

AS ſome Louers doo much delight in the pale colour, of her whome they LoueLove: So the Louer of vertue and godlineſſe, doth nothing abhorre the baniſhment of ſincere Chriſtians, neither the pouertie of ſound profeſſors, nor yet the condemnation of the faithfull Saints of God.

Learning.

1 AS the Bird bringeth all kind of foode vntounto her young ones neaſt, and is nothing the better her ſelfe therefore: So ſome doo onelyonly Learne, that they may immediately teach, not ſeeking thereby to amend, and make better themſelues.

2 As veſſels that are to bee filled, are bowed, and made apt to receiue the liquor that is powred therein: So ought a Learner, to accommodate and applie himſelfe, that nothing of that which is profitably ſpoken, doo ſcape him.

3 Like as in meates, one, and the ſelfe ſame diſh is diuerſly ſet forth, according to the inuention of the dreſſer, and appetite of the eater: Euen ſo in Learning, one and p. 432the ſelfe ſame point is diuerſly handled, according to the diſcretion of the writer, and capacitie of the reader.

4 Like as choyſe and good Wine looſeth his verdure and ſtrength, if it bee put into a vile and vnpure veſſell: Right ſo, a good word or ſentence, if it bee ſpoken of an euill man; or Learning if it chaunce to a wicked man, taketh none effect.

5 As the Diamond enchaſed and ſet in Gold, giueth a farre brighter gloſſe, then if it were ſet in leade, yron, or other baſer mettal: Euen ſo the louelove of godlineſſe and vertue, planted in a Learned mans breaſt, bringeth forth farre greater and more excellent fruit, then if an vnlearned man enioyed the ſame graces.

Lying of God and his truth, moſt offenſiue.

AS hee ſinneth moſt grieuouſly, which deceiueth trauelling men, by ſhewing them a contrarie way: Euen ſo, much more hainouſly offendeth he, that in matters of Religion, doctrine, and godlineſſe, doo bring men into errours through Lying, becauſe he doth therby, as it were thruſt them out of the kingdome of heauen. Ezech. 13.6, 8 10, 19. Iere. 23.25, 26, 35. & 14.14. Eſay. 9.15, 16. 1. Cor. 15.15. Iam. 3.14.

Lords Supper.

1 LIke as in the perſon of Chriſt, his manhood was ſeene on earth, and his Godhead being not at all ſeene, did notwithſtanding great and wonderfull things, without any chaunging, or confounding of natures: Euen ſo in the Lords ſupper, we ſee the bread and Wine, Chriſts body we ſee not, which notwithſtanding worketh in vsus.

2 As the body of the Sunnes light aboue, is in it ſelfe whole, albeit it bee diſperſed heare beneath: So likewiſe Chriſt in heauen aboue is whole, notwithſtanding he ſuffereth vsus in his ſupper, each one to bee full partakers of his p. 433body and bloud, when hee giueth himſelfe vntounto vsus, and yet without any diminition at all of himſelfe, when he offereth himſelfe vntounto vsus which are weake; without beeing incloſed in vsus, when he is receiued of vsus; and without any diſhonour at all to his maieſtie, when he commeth into our ſmall cottage, and will hauehave our hearts to be his Temple and dwelling place.

3 Like as the forbidden fruit, which Adam and Eue did eate in the Garden of Eden, by Sathans prouocation, procured their death: Euen ſo that heauenly Manna which Chriſt hath appointed for our ſpirituall foode in his ſupper, dooth bring vntounto the worthie receiuers thereof, euerlaſting life. Gene. 2.17.

4 As the ſicke man, the weaker hee knoweth himſelfe to bee, ſhould ſo much the more earneſtly deſire meate, both to receiue nouriſhment, and to refreſh his ſtrength: Euen ſo, ſo farre off it ought to bee, that our weakneſſe ſhould keepe vsus from the receiuing the Lords ſupper, that it ought rather to ſpurre vsus forward to come vntounto it, that by it, we might be ſtrengthened in faith and repentance.

5 As the word of God is all one, whether it fall vppon the euill or vponupon the good, ſurely it is all one in the minds of the hearers: So the Sacrament of the Lords body and bloud is all one, whether it be receiued of the good or of the euill; and as the Goſpell in it ſelfe is the power of God to ſauing, & it doth alſo ſaue; but it is not al alike to the vnbeleeuing, as it is to the beleeuing: So the Sacrament is of it ſelfe the body of Chriſt, but to the wicked which doo contemne it, and to them which do receiue it vnworthily, it is farre otherwiſe.

6 As a mother hauing brought foorth her little one, dooth not forſake it, but nurſeth and bringeth it vp: So Chriſt hauing ordained Baptiſme to bee as a ſeale and p. 434pledge of our ſpirituall new birth into his Church, did inſtitute the holy ſupper, to the end that by participation in his body and bloud, we might the more bee ſtrengthned in this aſſurance, that Chriſt is ours, together with all his benefites, and ſo feede our ſoules ſpiritually to life euerlaſting.

7 As a litle waxe, powred vponupon other waxe, is made all one with it: Euen ſo they that receiue the Sacrament of the Lords ſupper, worthily abide in Chriſt, and Chriſt in them.

8 As the Child when he commeth to age, is bound to honour his parents, not onelyonly for his begetting and bringing into this life, but alſo becauſe they hauehave fed and brought him vp, and ſtill do continue the ſame duties vntounto him: Euen ſo ſhould it be with vsus, whome God hath as it were begotten into his Church through our Baptiſme, and to whome hee hath ſince in his holy ſupper miniſtred the foode of our ſoules, in the Communion of the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt; for not onelyonly our ſpirituall new birth by Baptiſme, but alſo the ſpirituall foode which that good Father giueth vntounto vsus in his holy ſupper, doo binde vsus to honour him; yea, and ſhould thereto mightily induce vsus, conſidering that for foode of our ſoules, hee hath deliuered his onelyonly Sonne Ieſus Chriſt to bee crucified for vsus.

9 Like as if any man had a child ſo ſicke, that nothing coulde ſerue for his foode and recouerie, but precious Pearles confected or preſerued, this child ſhould be much bound to louelove and honour his parents, that for his reliefe, had not grudged at ſuch coſt and expences: Euen ſo wee ſhall deſerue great reproofe of our heauenly Father, who feedeth vsus in his holy ſupper, not with pearles, but with the very fleſh and bloud of his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, in caſe p. 435wee ſhould make no account to pleaſe him by amendment of life; withall conſidering, that as there is no compariſon betweene pearles & the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, ſo the ſpirituall life of our ſoules, is without compariſon, much more excellent then the life of our bodies.

10 As meate and drinke miniſtred vntounto the body, doo maintaine the life, motions, and ſenſes of the body: So from the communion in the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, which is the foode of the ſoule, muſt proceed the ſpirituall and heauenly life, cogitations, affections, words, and deedes.

11 As it were a ſtraunge caſe, if the body by eating and drinking ſhould gather no ſuſtenance, and conſequently, want all motions, ſenſe and bodily operation: So were it a monſtrous matter, that the ſoule communicating in the body and bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, ſhould gather no ſpiritual foode, that might bring foorth newneſſe of life, and holyneſſe in words and deeds.

12 As the hololy ſupper is the table of Gods children, the faithfull, and members of the Church of Ieſus Chriſt: So the communicating thereat, is a ſolemne proteſtation that we are the children of God; true belieuers, and members of the Church of Chriſt; and that ſo we ſeperate our ſelues from the prophane, worldly, and vicious people, and do purpoſe to liue holily righteouſly, and religiouſly, as it beſeemeth the children of God, and faithfull members of the Church: Such therefore as communicating in the holy ſupper, doo not neuertheleſſe amend their liues, but walking after the world & the fleſh, are giuen to ſwearing, whordome, drunkenneſſe, gluttonie, couetouſneſſe, deceit, fraud, ambition, pride, enuie, hatred, backbiting, with other like vices, and corruptions, doo ſhew themſelues counterfeits and hypocrites; doo eate and drinke p. 436their owne damnation, and doo horribly ſcandalize and offend the Church, whereof they ſhould be members together with the doctrine that they doo profeſſe.

13 As LoueLove is the fulfilling of the Law, and the marke of Gods children: So is there nothing that can more mightily induce vsus thereto, then the vſe of this holy Supper.

14 As the bread made of many kernels, is but one bread: So wee that communicate in the bread and Wine of the holy ſupper, are one body, vnderunder one head Ieſus Chriſt. 1. Cor. 10.17. & 12.12.

15 As bread hath this propertie through Gods bleſſing giuen it, to feede and ſtrengthen our naturall bodies in this life: So likewiſe the body of Chriſt beeing repreſented effectually vntounto vsus in the Lords ſupper, by that bread, hath the ſelfe ſame propertie, touching our ſoules, to ſtrengthen and to nouriſh them ſpiritually.

16 As Wine doth comfort and make mans heart glad: So our full ioy and ſpirituall comfort is, to bee found in Chriſt alone.

17 As our diet is then full, whole, and perfect, as it were, when it conſiſteth of theſe two things, Bread and Wine, or Drinke: So we muſt know that the fulneſſe and perfection of all ſpirituall nouriſhment is to bee found in Chriſt alone, and no where elſe, whilſt that he is become, as well the drinke, as the meate of our ſoule, not onelyonly in this double ſigne, helping our infirmitie as it were, but alſo teaching vsus to ſeeke the heauenly refection and nouriſhment of our ſoules, fully and wholly in Chriſt, and no where elſe.

18 As the Bread is made of many graines, and the Wine of ſundrie and ſeuerall Grapes, and yet all make but one Bread and one Wine: So al the faithful ſhould be p. 437inſtructed thereby, that though they bee ſeuerall and diſtinct perſons one of them from an other, as the members in the body are, yet they al compacted together, make but one body. Rom. 12.4, 5. 1. Cor. 10.16, 17.

19 Like as when drie Waxe is put into that which is melted, it is preſently mingled, and vnited with it: So we are vnited to Chriſt by faith, in worthily receiuing the myſteries of his body and bloud in the Sacrament.

20 Euen as wee are by the bloud of Chriſt cleanſed, and by the holy Ghoſt in Baptiſme, regenerated: So wee beeing cleanſed, and regenerated, are ſpiritually fed, and nouriſhed, by the benefite of the body and bloud of Chriſt; rightly vſing the Lords ſupper, according to his owne inſtitution.

21 Euen as there is no liberall hearted Gentleman, that maketh a feaſt, but hee is deſirous that his geſtes ſhould hauehave a luſting, greedie and hungrie ſtomacke: Euen ſo our heauenly Father is deſirous, that all men, that are bidden to this heauenly feaſt, ſhould bee partaker of the myſteries of his body and bloud, ſhould hauehave hungring and thriſting ſtomackes; which hunger and thurſt, muſt be of the ſoule, and not of the body.

LoueLove of our neighbour.

AS hee that Loueth the Lord, dooth altogether ſurely and thorowly depend vppon him in firme faith, and cleare conſcience; and therfore dooth neither admit any other Gods, nor ſerue Idols, nor diſhonour his name, nor prophane his Saboths: Euen ſo he that Loueth his neighbour as well as himſelfe, will neither contemne his parents, nor hurt or harme his neighbours, nor defile his p. 438wife with Adulterie, nor ſteale his goods, nor falſely witneſſe of him, neither yet couet any iot of all that is his; but will hartily ſeeke his commoditie, as his owne. Deut. 6.5. Math. 22.37. Mar. 12.30. Luk. 10.27.

God Loueth his children.

1 AS we will take any thing well at his hands, of whom we are perſwaded that hee Loueth vsus; for the aſſurance of his LoueLove ſwalloweth vp, and ſweetely ſendeth downe all the reſt: if he teach vsus, we take it; if he admoniſh vsus, we are contented; if hee reprooueth vsus, we put it vp; if he ieſt with vsus, we are not grieued; yea, if he ſmite vsus, wee are not offended, all is taken in good part, becauſe they come from LoueLove, who neuer did hurt his beloued: So likewiſe God dealeth with his children, hee teacheth them when they are ignorant; hee correcteth them, when they goe aſtray; he admoniſheth them, when they are vnruly; he reprooueth them when they tranſgreſſe; he threatneth them, when they are ſtubborne; and hee ſmiteth them, when there is no remedie: But yet in his fauour and merciemercy, hee teacheth, correcteth, reprooueth, threatneth, and ſmiteth his children, that they might not be damned with the world. If hee woundeth vsus, his fauour is Oyle to cure our wounds; if he ſendeth flouds, and Seas of troubles, the aſſurance of his fauour, is like Noahs Arke to beare vsus vp from drowning: If his wrath ſhall burne like fire, his fauour is water to coole the heate, whereof Diues in hell could not get a drop: If he ſend ſickneſſe either of body or mind, the aſſurāce of his fauor is a preſent remedy, like the brazen Serpent; if he ſend ſorrow ouer night, his Louing fauour ſhall bring ioy in the Morning, and a ioyful tidings like; Sonne bee of good cheare, thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee: If he chide vsus, his fauour that he beareth vntounto vsus, wil p. 439not ſuffer him to chide for euer: If his wrath be kindled againſt his children, his fauour puts out all againe; if he ſets vsus vp as markes to be ſhot at, hee ſets his fauour before vsus; with the aſſurance whereof, wee are defended as with a ſhield. Pſal. 5.12. & 103.13.

2 As a Fathers anger, is rather LoueLove then anger, and his correction is to bee counted rather a LoueLove token, then a puniſhment: So in like manner is Gods anger towards his children which feare him, and keepe his couenants: and therfore his correction is a LoueLove token & no puniſhment. 2. Sam. 7.14, 15. Pſal. 118.18.

3 Euen as when Ieſus wept ouer Lazarus, the Iewes ſaid, Behold how hee Loueth him: Yea, though hee ſuffered death to caſt him into his graue, the common bed of all fleſh, yet behold how he Loued him: So in like maner may Gods children ſay, when the Lord correcteth or reproueth, or afflicteth them, yet marke how he Loueth vsus, entreateth vsus, and wooeth vsus; and when we ſee this, wee muſt needs ſay: Behold how he Loueth vsus. Ioh. 11.35.

4 As Sechem deferred not to doo all that was required of him, for the obtayning of Dinah, becauſe hee Loued her: So alſo when we ſtand in need of the Lords helpe, he deferreth not to helpe vsus, becauſe hee Loueth vsus. Gene. 34.19.

5 Like as when Ioſephs brethren came to Egypt to buy Corne, Ioſeph knew them, and ſpake roughly vntounto them, and bare them in hand that they came as ſpies: So the Lord dealeth with his children many times, when they come to him for ſuch things as they want, hee knoweth them well, but maketh himſelfe ſtraunge vntounto them, and ſpeaketh roughly vntounto them, by ſeeming to denie their requeſt; yea ſometimes by increaſing their ſorrow and affliction, as Iacob ſtriuing with the Angell for a bleſſing, receiued p. 440a blow on his thigh more then he looked for. Gene. 42.7. Gene. 32.24, 25.32.

6 Euen as it was ſaid of Ioſeph, that he tooke Simeon from them, and bound him before their eyes; now all this while Ioſeph knew his brethren, but they knewe not him; for if they had knowne it had beene their brother Ioſeph which Loued him, no doubt they would hauehave borne any thing at his hands: So likewiſe if we knew our troubles to come from our Father which Loueth vsus, wee would willingly beare any thing at his hands. Gene. 42.8.

7 Like as when Beniamin muſt goe, then Iacob thought he had beene robbed of all his children, but hee found Ioſeph, Simeon, and Beniamin, and all againe at the laſt: So Gods children in the end find all, when they thinke they hauehave loſt all.

8 As they went home, hue and crie came after them for Ioſephs cup, which was in pollicie conueyed into their brother Beniamins ſacke, ſearch was made, they thought themſelues cleare: But when it was found in Beniamins ſacke, they were worſe appaide then they were before; whereupon Beniamin muſt ſtay by the reckoning, and anſwere the matter, this paſſed all the reſt: Euen ſo doth the Lord many times find out ſinne by vsus, when we thinke all is well, and then things goe worſe and worſe with vsus, (as wee thinke) and yet ſtill the feare is greater then the hurt, for God Loueth vsus. Gene. 44.1. &c.

9 Like as Iudah hereupon drew neare to Ioſeph, and ſaid; Let me ſpeake but one word in the eares of my Lord; and ſo tels him a long ſtorie of the whole matter, from the beginning to the ending; as though Ioſeph all this while had knowne nothing of the matter: So wee oftentimes in the griefe of our hearts, powre foorth many things and great complaints, which the Lord knoweth well enough.

p. 44110 Euen as after many trials, it is ſaid that Ioſeph could no longer refraine before all that ſtood by, but cried, HaueHave foorth eueryevery man from me: Which being done, he wept and cried, ſo that all heard him, both of the Egyptians and Pharaohs houſe; and at laſt his LoueLove brake foorth like the morning light, & ouerfloweth after long reſtraint, as a ſtreame (whoſe courſe is ſtopped) ouerfloweth the bankes, and ſo he vttereth himſelfe, asking if his Father were aliue? But his brethren could not anſwere him, for they were aſtoniſhed at his preſence: Full little did they thinke that Ioſeph had beene ſo heare them, they did not once dreame of any ſuch matter, or of any ſuch man: Euen ſo the hand of God is many times in tempering of afflictions to the godly in LoueLove, for their good, when they thinke full little vppon it. Gene. 45.1. &c.

11 As Ioſeph ſaid to his brethren, I am your brother, whom yee ſold into Egypt, come neare I pray you vntounto me, be not ſad nor grieued with your ſelues that you ſold me, for it was Gods dooing, for your preſeruation. Afterward they and their Father, and all his houſe came vp, and had Egypt to inhabite: Euen ſo after the like manner, after many trials God dealeth with his children, hee vttereth himſelfe vntounto them, and puts them in good remembrance of their iniuries done to his Maieſtie; hee freely forgiueth them, and giueth them the inheritance at the laſt; which is more then they deſerue, and more then they deſired, and more then they looked for, by which they are aſſured of Gods great LoueLove and fauour vntounto them. Therfore let vsus be content with patience, to beare what triall ſo euer our louing God and mercifull Father ſhall thinke good to lay vponupon vsus.

12 As Iehoram ſaid to Iehu, when he marched in his furie, Commeſt thou peaceably? As if hee ſhould ſay, if thou commeſt peaceably, march as furiouſly as thou wilt: So p. 442let vsus ſay to our God: O Lord commeſt thou fauourably, and in LoueLove againſt vsus? Then come as terribly as thou wilt. Shoote thine arrowes, and ſpend them all vponupon vsus, beate vsus to pouder, take all away, and in this life doo with vsus what thou wilt, ſo thou doeſt aſſure vsus of thy fauour. 2. King. 9.20, 22.

13 As the birth of the child into the world, ſwalloweth vp all the pangs and paines of the Mother in forgetfulneſſe, which went before the birth: So likewiſe we, if after our manifold afflictions and ſorrowes for Chriſt his ſake, we bring foorth the aſſurance of Gods fauour here, and of eternal life hereafter being dead, let forgetfulneſſe deuour and conſume all the reſt.

Law of God.

1 AS ſome marke by the way ſide, may well direct vsus, and ſhew vsus which way to take: So the Law of God, may well leade vsus, and not teach vsus the way that wee muſt take and walke in; but it cannot giuegive vsus ſtrength and courage to goe through, if we be wearie; neither enable vsus to come to the place whither we would goe.

2 As a Phyſition and Surgeon, comming to a ſick man to heale him, openeth the veine, and taketh away bloud from him, not to the ende to make him to die, but as a remedie, appointed for the recouerie of his health and ſafetie: Euen ſo the Law pearceth our Impoſtume, and ſometimes maketh a great hole in it; but neither to the ende to kill vsus, nor to hurt vsus, but to bring vsus into a good order, to the end we may bee the more eaſily healed. Rom. 10.4. Gal. 3.24.

3 As a chaſte Virgine, ſoiourning and dwelling with harlots in the ſtewes, who although ſhee be chaſt her ſelfe, yet can ſhee not win thoſe to chaſtitie, with whom ſhee is conuerſant, but preuaileth nothing, and ſo is weake: Euen p. 443ſo the Law, although of it ſelfe it bee good, holy, and iuſt, yet in carnall men it dooth nothing leſſe then make them good, and ſo it is weake and feeble: And ſo likewiſe the Goſpell, as it is written in Paper and Parchment, and is preached by mans voice, is weake in thoſe that be void of Gods ſpirit; but it is the power of God to ſaluation, onelyonly to thoſe that beleeue. Rom. 7.12. Rom. 8.3. Rom. 1.16.

4 As a pleaſure or good turne may bee ſaid to be the cauſe of ingratitude, and proſperitie the cauſe of enuie, but yet improperly: Euen ſo the Law, becauſe it bringeth tranſgreſſion and wrong doing, and that not of it ſelfe, but by our fault; for it requireth obedience, but it findeth vsus doing amiſſe, and ſo it is the cauſe of tranſgreſſion, but improperly. Rom. 7.7, 8, 9. &c. Gal. 3.19.

5 As Chriſt riſing from death, is free from the graue; Peter deliuered from the priſon, was free from the priſon: The ſicke of the Palſie from his bed; the yong man from his Coffen; the mayden from her couch: And yet the graue, the priſon, the bed, the Coffen, the couch, did remaine ſtill: Euen ſo the Law is aboliſhed, when wee are not ſubiect vntounto it; the Law is dead, when we are dead vntounto it; and yet it remaineth ſtill.

6 As hee that hath an inward diſeaſe or corruption in his body, although, becauſe it appeareth not on the outſide, he bee careleſſe of the daunger, yet when the ſame is launced, and that hee perceiueth the inconuenience and perill enſuing thereby to his body, he will then bee deſirous of the Chirurgion: Euen ſo the launcing of our ſins, by the preaching of the Law, will cauſe vsus (beeing otherwiſe careleſſe) to ſeeke remedy in Chriſt.

7 Like as the ſumme of our faith is comprehended in the Creed of the Apoſtles: Euen ſo the Law of God, is the direction and rule of good workes.

p. 4448 Like as if a man were bound to pay a thouſand pounds to his Creditor which he oweth him, although this creditor did demaund this debt of him, and he were not able to ſatisfie him, or pay him, yet the Creditor ſhould not doo vniuſtly to aske him his thouſand pounds; For when the King did aske of his ſeruant, the tenne thouſant Talents that he did owe vntounto him, he did not vniuſtly, or wrongfully: Euen ſo all the whole Law of God, is nothing elſe but a commaundement, whereby we are commaunded and bidden to pay that vntounto God, that we owe vntounto him: For we are bound of dutie to louelove God, with all our harts, with all our ſoules, and with all our ſtrengthes, and our neighbour as our owne ſelfe; for we are debters (ſaith the Apoſtle) but not vntounto the fleſh; ſhal we ſay then that God is vnrighteous, or that hee dooth vniuſtly, in asking that thing of vsus, that we doo owe vntounto him of bounden dutie? But rather that he doth moſt iuſtly, godly, and righteouſly, to demaund ſuch things of vsus. Math. 18.24. Deut. 6.5. Rom. 8.12, 13.

9 Like as this conſequence is nothing worth: Money doth not iuſtifie, or make a man righteous, therfore it is vnprofitable; the eyes doo not iuſtifie, therefore they muſt be plucked out: The hands make not a man righteous, therefore they muſt bee cut off: So likewiſe is this naught alſo: The Law doth not iuſtifie, therefore it is vnprofitable; for we muſt attribute vntounto eueryevery thing his proper effect & vſe.

10 As the Rauen was ſent foorth before the Doue: So the Law was giuen before the Goſpell. Gene. 8.6. &c. Ioh. 1.17. Luk. 16.16.

11 As the Rauen by nature is a foreteller of death: Euen ſo the Law before hand, inioyned the penaltie of death to Adams tranſgreſſion. Gene. 2.17.

12 As the colour of the Rauen is blacke, and full of melancholy: p. 445Euen ſo it is the effect of Gods Law, to bring a blacke day vponupon the reprobate. Ioel. 2.2. Math. 22.13.

13 As the Rauen brought no tidings of the waters abating from the earth: Euen ſo the Law telleth vsus not that the wrath of God is appeaſed for our offences.

14 As there belongeth firſt kniues and launcers to open that wound which is full of corruption and rottenneſſe, euen to the bottome, and then ſharpe and bitter ſalue to draw out the corruption, & to eate out the dead fleſh therof, before there come any healing plaiſter neare it; the nature whereof, is to cloſe vp and skin the vpper part of the wound, which afterwards breeds great inconuenience, & makes the wound far more daungerous: Euen ſo it fareth with al thoſe which are wounded with the venimous dart of ſelfe-louelove, which woūd being choked with the corruption & dead fleſh of couetouſneſſe, and pride, and yet will vſe no other medicine for the curing therof, thē that pleaſant healing ſalue of the Goſpell; which if they knew in truth how little the ſame did profit them, before ſuch time as the ſharp launcing knife of Gods Law, had opened the wound, and the bitter ſalues of his iudgements, and ſharpe threatnings, eaten out the rottenneſſe thereof, they would goe an other way to worke, & vſe a more ſounder diet for the obtaining of health, although it bee verie tedious and ſharpe at the firſt. Rom. 10.4. Gal. 3.24.

15 As a Schoolemaiſter ſerueth not for his Sholler continually, but till ſuch time as the Scholler may growe to ſome good ability to goe forward at his booke by his own ſtudie: So the Lord feareth his people with the Lawe, not alwaies, but till ſuch time as they hauehave ſufficiently learned to know themſelues, and therfore to flie from themſelues to Chriſt Ieſus, who freeth them from the curſe and condemnation of the Law. Gal. 3.24.

p. 44616 Euen as a Rule directeth the Artificer in his worke, and keepeth him from erring in any practiſe: Euen ſo the Lawe and commaundements of the Lord; are a rule to guide vsus, and to ſhewe vsus wherein we erre from the right way.

17 As a Line declareth the ſtraightneſſe or crookedneſſe of the tree: Euen ſo the Law and commandements of God, laid to our actions, declare how much wee wander and goe aſtray.

18 As a band dooth knit and hold many things together; or as of many linkes is made one chaine: And as by the ſinewes, our ioynts and parts of our natural bodies, are tied and bound together: Euen ſo by Lawe, the politike body of a common-weale, is vnited and knit together as one, for the preſeruation of peace, in the profeſſion of one true euerliuing, and ouer-ruling Lord.

19 As among all other ordinarie accidents, that are incident to the proſperitie or aduerſitie of mankind, there is nothing in earth that more fully proportioneth the ioyes in heauen, then Muſicke, and Marriage; to heare the one, we leaue our meate and drinke; and to bee ioyned to the other, wee leaue Father and Mother: Euen ſo among all ordinarie inſtructions, incident to the earthly felicitie of mankind, there is nothing that more fully proportioneth our condemnation to be iuſt, then the Law; nor any thing that more fully proportioneth our ſaluation to be in Ieſus Chriſt, then the Goſpell: In the one we heare thundring… Earthquakes, lamentations, mournings and woe; in the other, nothing elſe but ſweete voices, pleaſant ſongs, and inſtruments of Muſicke, all proportioning and perpetually pointing our marriage with Chriſt Ieſus, in whom we are freed from the curſe & threats of the Law, and al other inconueniences whatſoeuer.

p. 44720 As a Scholler is in ſubiection to his Schoolemaiſter, till he become learned, and then he is ſet at libertie: So in like manner, the Law hath performed the office thereunto appointed, when by it wee hauehave learned to know and ſee, and acknowledge our infirmities, corruption, ſinfulneſſe, vnrighteouſneſſe, and to flie vntounto Chriſt, to be iuſtified by faith in him.

21 As Honie by nature is very ſweete, but ſeemeth very bitter to ſome ſicke and diſtempered bodies: So dooth the Law ſeeme burdenſome; but this commeth not by nature, but through our weakneſſe.

22 As the debter not beeing able to paie his debt, was freely forgiuen: Euen ſo the Law in the act of iuſtification is vtterly idle; as that which is neither the cauſe, nor a part of our righteouſneſſe, as it is wrought of vsus. Math. 18.23, 24. &c.

23 Like as if I owe a man a hundreth pound, and bee bound to pay him at a certaine day, if I doo then pay it, albeit mine hart be neuer ſo grudging and vnwilling thereto; yet hauehave I fulfilled the Law, and diſcharged my bond, ſo that there ſhall no proceſſe or iudgement paſſe againſt me: But Gods Law requireth a thing to bee done with a chearefull and a well willing heart and minde, and euen of pure louelove; for if I doo it, either for feare or vnwillingly, that ſhal be imputed vntounto me for ſinne: If I do it for feare, … doo I it not of louelove, but rather hate both the thing … I doo, and alſo the Law that conſtraineth me to doo it; and if I doo it vnwillingly, then would I doo the contrarie, and ſo would that there were no ſuch Law, neither yet any God, that ſhould iudge me in ſo doing; and ſeeing that God iudgeth me after mine heart and will, then muſt he needes condemne me, for I would doo contrarie vntounto his Lawe and will: yea and doo wiſh in mine heart p. 448contrarie to that which I doo in mine outward deed.

24 Like as if I ſee a poore man which is not of abilitie to doo me any pleaſure, and neuertheleſſe doth all his diligence to ſeeke my fauour, and would with heart and mind giuegive me ſome acceptable preſent, if he were of power, being alſo ſorrie that hee cannot performe his will and mind towards me: Now if there bee any ſparke of humanitie or gentleneſſe in me, I wil count his good will, as wel as though he had in very deed performed his will; for his ability extendeth no further; if his power were better, better ſhould I hauehave: Euen ſo, ſeeing we are not of power and abilitie to performe the Law of God, and yet beare a good heart towards God and his Law, bewayling our imbicilitie, that we can do him no further pleaſure, then will God recount vsus, not as his enemies, but as his deare children and beloued friends.

25 As after ſleepe the body beeing awaked, it is freſh, luſtie, ſtrong, and couragious, to doo his worke: So likewiſe after the fearefull threatnings of the Law, when wee heare the glad tidings of the Goſpell, that God will be our Lord and dwell with vsus, the mind is comforted, ſtrengthned, and mooued vp to doo his dutie.

26 As a man is iudged and known to be waking, when hee can doo the office of a man, as talke, worke, write, or ſuch like: Euen ſo is man awaked out of the ſleepe of ſins, when he liues in charitie, feares God, and walks according to his Law in his vocation.

27 As we ſee in iudgements here amongſt vsus, there is a royall ſeate ſet where the Iudge ſits, hee that is accuſed ſtands at the Barre, holds vp his hand, heares his Inditement read, witneſſe is brought againſt him, and hee iuſtl… condemned to death: So likewiſe we ſhal ſee Ieſus Chriſ… the righteous Iudge of the world, that will not be bribe… p. 449ſit in his ſeate of maieſtie at the laſt day, and all the companie of Angels about him, and we ſhall ſtand at the harre as accuſed and indighted for breaking that righteous Law of his word; the diuel which intiſed vsus ſo to do, ſhall beare witneſſe, that to be true; yea and our owne conſcience alſo, with the feare of that fearefull ſentence (Goe yee curſed into euerlaſting fire, &c.) ſhall make vsus to tremble. Math. 25.31, 32, 41.

28 Like as hee which cannot eſteeme and diſcerne his ſickneſſe, or the grieuouſneſſe of his diſeaſe; the ſame muſt of neceſſitie hauehave a negligent care, of ſeeking foorth a remedie, and a wholeſome medicine for the ſame: Euen ſo, hee which learneth not to acknowledge his ſinnes by the Law, the ſame doubtleſſe, knoweth not how to embrace grace by the Goſpell.

Learning or vertue of tranſgreſsion, but improperly.

1 AS the Date tree is moſt hard to be climed, hauing yet fruit moſt pleaſaunt: So likewiſe the entrie or way vntounto Learning and vertue, is moſt vneaſily, when as yet they hauehave fruit all pleaſaunt and profitable. Prou. 3.13, 14, 15.

2 Like as nature hath hid verie deepe in the ground ſtones precious, and of much value, but others of no vertue, are euerie where to bee found: So things of eſtimation, and price, as vertue and Learning, are knowne but vn… fewe, nor they will not bee obtained, without great labour and ſtudie.

3 As hee which hungereth, or thirſteth, can doo nothing, vnleſſe they quench his appetite and deſire: So all things ought we to lay aſide, vntill we doo obtaine Lear…ing and wiſedome.

4 As the beſt Wine ſoone looſeth his taſte or colour, if it bee powred into a veſſell filthie and impure: So is good p. 450Learning more then loſt, if it happen to a naughtie man, for he will vſe it moſt peruerſly, to ſerue his gaine and appetite.

To Liue well, is to die well.

LIke as Balaam wiſhed, and had a great deſire to die the death of the righteous; but he would not immitate them in godly conuerſation: Euen ſo all men wiſh for a happie end of life, but fewe care to Liue vertuouſly, and honeſtly, which doubtleſſe is the readie way to die well. Numb. 23.10. Act. 8.19, 20. & 19.13.

The Law our Schoolemaiſter to bring vsus to Christ.

1 LIke as the Schoolemaiſter reproueth his Schollers, wherby he grieueth them, and maketh them heauie, and yet not to the end that this bondage ſhould alwayes continue, but that it ſhould ceaſe when the children are well brought vp and inſtructed accordingly; and that afterwards without any conſtraint of the Schoolemaiſter, they ſhould chearefully enioy their libertie, and their Fathers goods: Euen ſo they which are vexed and oppreſſed with the Law, doo know that theſe terrours and vexations ſhall not alwayes continue; but that therby they are prepared to come vntounto Chriſt, which is to bee reuealed, and to receiue the libertie of the ſpirit, &c. Gal. 3.24.

2 As the duties of a Schoolemaiſter, bee eſpecially three; Firſt, to teach his Schollers; Secondly, to frame their manners; And thirdly, to puniſh offenders: Euen ſo the Lawe of God, firſt teacheth vsus concerning God, that there is a God, and what manner of one hee is, and what manner a one mans nature is by creation, and what was that Image of God, or originall righteouſneſſe in man; namely, agreeableneſſe to the Law of God: It teacheth alſo of ſinne, and the penaltie of ſinne, of the laſt iudgement, of the reſurrection of the dead, and life euerlaſting p. 451of outward diſcipline, or honeſt gouernment of manners; with many ſuch other things: Secondly, it frameth our manners, in this outward and ciuill conuerſation of life; and it is a rule of life, or good workes, in which thoſe that are borne againe, muſt ſhew their obedience to God: And thirdly, it chaſtiſeth vsus, with the threates of Gods wrath and endleſſe damnation, and it puniſheth vsus with death, ſickneſſe, and other miſeries, all which are Sermons of the Lawe, concerning Gods dreadfull wrath againſt ſinne. Gene. 1.26, 27. & 2.7.

3 As a looking Glaſſe dooth neither waſh, nor make him faire that looketh therein, but giueth occaſion, either to ſeeke for water, or elſe for ſome other thing, that may make him faire and cleane: Euen ſo the Lawe, ſheweth vntounto vsus our ſinnes, and maketh knowne vntounto vsus our miſerable eſtate and wretchedneſſe; and how that there is nothing good in vsus, and that wee are farre wide from all manner of righteouſneſſe, and ſo driueth vsus of neceſſitie to ſeeke righteouſneſſe in Chriſt, as to the Phyſition and fountaine of all ſaluation, who onelyonly, hath by his death taken away ſinne and death, and deliuered vsus out of the priſon of the Law.

4 Like as in the night, by reaſon of the darkneſſe ſpread vppon the earth, all things are hid and couered; which cauſeth that wee cannot diſcerne and diſcouer the ſpots which we hauehave in our faces: But when the light beginneth to appeare, and that wee take a Glaſſe to behold our ſelues therein; then they are diſcouered and ſhewe themſelues: So likewiſe during the time that we are couered with the darkneſſe of ignorance, the ſins and vices that dwel in vsus, are hidden there, and yet oftentimes we thinke (being leprous and deformed) that we are beautifull and perfect; but our eyes being once opened & illuminated by p. 452the ſpirit and grace of our God, and taking the Glaſſe of the Law, therein to behold the eſtate of our nature, and our life; then we beginne to know the great and grieuous imperfections, and wants that are in vsus; and ſo at once, we looſe the opinion which we had conceiued before of our owne righteouſneſſe and vertues, and ſo are forced to flie to Chriſt for remedie, &c.

Lawes like to copwebs.

AS little Flies are faſt tied and eaſily ſnared in the copwebs, but the Drones and great Flies breake and eſcape through them: So likewiſe poore and meane men, are faſt wounden and holden in the penalties and daungers of Lawes; but Lordes and men in great authoritie, dayly breake Lawes, and are not corrected: So that the weakeſt goeth to the walles, and the worſt may, holdeth the candle.

Labour loſt.

AS a wife by long ſuite obtained, ſometimes much moleſteth her husband: So ſome men with great Labours and charges, purchaſe that thing, which afterward is their onelyonly care and vexation.

Appearance of Learning amongſt inferiours.

AS the Ship lying in the Hauen or ryuer, ſeemeth huge and great, but beeing in the maine Sea, it ſheweth both ſlender and ſmal: So diuers, which be but ſimple and meane, in ſome places, appeare to be wiſe, excellent, and Learned, wheras amongſt their betters, they appeare, baſe, ſimple, and plaine.

Lamenting for trifles.

AS if you forbid children one play of game, then they ſtraight doo crie, and weepe, not regarding any other kind of paſtime: So diuers kind of men, wil ſo Lament for p. 453a trifle, or ſmall diſpleaſure, that therby they make all other commodities and pleaſures altogether vnpleaſant.

Labour.

LS the Mariner, when he perceiueth a ſtorme or tempeſt to be neare, he firſt calleth vponupon God by earneſt praier, that hee may ſafely attaine to the wiſhed hauen, and then ſtriketh his ſailes, and vſeth all good meanes which he ſuppoſeth needfull for the ſame: Euen ſo we muſt ſo truſt to the prouidence of God, that we alſo vſe our owne induſtry in all good meanes and ſort conuenient.

The LoueLove of God, in giuing his ſonne for vsus.

LIke as if a man giuegive a penny, hauing a great deale of money in his purſe, is not ſo much, as when he giueth it, hauing but it onelyonly; As when Zerephath gaue Heliah the handfull of meale, hauing no more for her ſelf and her ſon: Euen ſo the wonderfull great LoueLove of God toward mankind, appeared in this, that hauing but one onelyonly Sonne, and not many Sonnes, he would vouchſafe to giuegive him for a raunſome, for the redemption of vsus moſt wretched and vile ſinners. 1. King. 17.12. Iere. 6.26. Amo. 8.10. Ioh. 3 16. 1. Ioh. 4.9.

LoueLove.

1 AS a Candell waſteth it ſelfe, to giuegive light vntounto others: Euen ſo a good Chriſtian ought to ſpend his life, for the benefit of others.

2 Like as in the building of a houſe, one ſtone is bound and faſtned to another with morter: Euen ſo in the ſpirituall building of Chriſt, one Chriſtian man is ioyned to another by LoueLove.

3 As fire goeth out, if it be not mainteyned with wood: So likewiſe LoueLove groweth cold, which is not mixed with good workes.

4 As the fire without wood turneth to aſhes: So doth …oue without workes, take an end, and finiſh.

p. 4545 As hatred is the cauſe of contentions among men: So likewiſe LoueLove couereth faultes, either by reforming them, or by winking at them. Pro. 10.1….

6 As the rodde of Moſes turned into a Serpent, deuoured the ſerpents of all other roddes: Euen ſo the LoueLove of God muſt deuour the louelove of all other things.

7 As that is the hotteſt fire which warmeth them that are furtheſt off: So that is the moſt feruent & perfect LoueLove, which forſaketh none, though they bee neuer ſo farre off, neither friend nor foe, that may be loued, but imbraceth all in him, who neuer dooth forſake, vnleſſe he be forſaken.

8 As enuie, hatred, or malice, mooueth vsus to reproach and diſdaine our brother, when hee diſpleaſeth or offendeth vsus: So in like manner, LoueLove hideth and pardoneth the faultes, which he committeth againſt vsus, though they be neuer ſo many. 1. Pet. 4.8.

9 As a King is honoured in his image: So God in man, is both loued and hated; he cannot hate man, who loueth God; neither can he LoueLove God, who hateth man.

10 As fire cannot bee hidden in flaxe without ſome flame, nor Muske in the boſome, without ſmell: Euen ſo, neither can LoueLove bee hidden in the breaſt, without ſuſpition.

11 As a cold ſtone by lying three or foure houres in the warme Sunne, gathereth heate: So the LoueLove of God ſhining vponupon our ſoules, ought to kindle vsus, both to louelove him and all men, for his ſake. Ioh. 3.16. 1. Ioh. 4.16, 19, 20. Eph. 24 Rom. 5.8. & 13.10. 1. Cor. 13.1. &c.

Lying.

1 AS hee ſinneth moſt greeuouſly that deceiueth blinde men, or trauelling men, by ſhewing them a contrary way: Euen ſo much more heynouſly offe… deth p. 455hee, that in matters of religion, doctrine, and godlineſſe, do bring men into errours through Lying, becauſe he doth therby as it were, thruſt them out of the kingdom of heauen. Eze. 13.6, 8, 10. Iere. 23.25, 26. 1. Tim. 4.2, 3. Eſa. 9.15, 16.

2 As the diuel is the Father of lyes: So Lying is an euident token of his children. Ioh. 8.44.

3 As vncomely as magnificall talke is for a poore foole: So vnmeete is Lying and vntrue talke for a Prince. Prou. 17.7.

Learning.

1 LIke as in meates, the wholeſomneſſe is as much to be required as the pleaſantneſſe, ſo in reading or hearing Authors, we ought to deſire as well the goodneſſe as the eloquence.

2 Like as a field, although it be fertile, can bring foorth no fruite, except it be firſt tilled: So the minde, although it be apt of it ſelfe, cannot without Learning, bring foorth my goodneſſe.

3 As men in nothing more differ from the Gods, then when they are fooles: So in nothing they do come neare them ſo much, as when they are wiſe and Learned.

The Lawe pointeth out true bliſſe, but furthereth not the certaintie of it.

LIke as if a man ſhould ſhewe a needie bodie a bagge of Gold, vppon the toppe of a high Tower, and yet not …end him a ladder wherewithall he might clime vp to the …op and fetch downe the bagge: Euen ſo doth Gods Law …nely point men to the ſoueraigne good, without ſhewing vsus how we may come by it, ſeeing that no man fulfil…th the Lawe.

p. 456The fruites of Libertie, are by good right, required of Chriſtians.

AS he which doth commit ſinne, is the ſeruant of ſinne: Euen ſo he which is deliuered by Chriſt, will bee no more bond, but free, and therefore will not take vppon him the yoke of bondage. Iohn. 8.34. Rom. 6.20. Iam. 2.12.

How we muſt behaue our ſelues in Lending to Artificers and labourers.

AS charitie doth not require that we ſhould giuegive of our goods freely, to them that are ſtrong, luſtie, and able to worke and labour: So neceſſitie vrging Artificers and Labourers, and they deſiring to borrowe any thing of thee, then thou muſt obey the rule of Chriſt, and Lend without looking for a recompence in the like, or in any other kind of dutie. 2. Theſſ. 3.10, 11. Luk. 6.35, 36. Eſay. 58.7. Prou. 19.17.

Gods Liberalitie.

AS the fire miniſtreth light to a multitude, and yet is miniſhed, or conſumed thereby: Or as in a candle of which many other candles be light, the light is not thereby in any wiſe diminiſhed or hurt at all: Or as one ſupper dooth not refreſh or ſuffi…e many as well as few, but the the voice of one Preacher teacheth as well a hundreth as one: Euen ſo God beſtoweth innumerable benefites vponupon vsus, and yet his Liberalitie is not hindred therewith.

Godly Life.

1 AS when Moſes had conuerſed and beene with God fortie dayes vppon the mountaine, at his comming downe his face ſhined and gliſtered with the heauenly glorie: So will it be with vsus, by then we hauehave for twenti… or thirtie yeares, beene conuerſant in heauen, we ſhall become heauenly and ſpirituall, both in word and deed. Exod. 34.69.

p. 4572 As by experience we ſee, that when a countrie man hath dwelled ſome twentie or thirtie yeares in the Court, he forgetteth his countrie ſpeech, and courſe of Life, and groweth to be as good a Courtier as if he had bene borne in the Court: Euen ſo our earthly talke and communication, our worldly courſe of life, and the corruptions of the fleſh, that beare but too much ſway in vsus, doo but ouer manifeſtly ſhew, how little we are conuerſant in heauen, and conſequently doo teſtifie, that we account our ſelues Burgeſſes of earth, and not of heauen.

3 As the rough tazle or thiſtle dooth make the cloath ſmooth: So doth a ſtraight and ſtrict kind of Life, make the conſcience more quiet.

It is our dutie to communicate at the Lords ſupper.

AS they who liuing in fornication, and will not marrie, leaſt thereby their fornication, which they are not minded to giuegive ouer, ſhould be the more grieuous, as being conuerted into Adulterie, are in a woefull ſtate: Or as they, who hating their neighbours, when they ſay the Lords prayer: Our Father, &c. doo leaue out this petition; Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as wee forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus; and ſo refuſe to aske forgiueneſſe for their tranſgreſſions, and ſeeke to continue in hatred againſt their neighbours, are worthie double condemnation; one in reſpect of their hatred that they continue in; the other for their ſinnes, for the which they aske no forgiueneſſe: Euen …is, they that forbeare the holy ſupper, in reſpect of their bad conſciences, doo pronounce ſentence againſt themſelues; namely, that they deſerue double death: Firſt for their ſinnes, which they continue in wicked conſciences: And ſecondly, they ſeperate themſelues from the communion of Chriſt, in whom onelyonly is the fulneſſe of life.

p. 458Lust and pleaſure.

1 AS Pils that are outwardly faire guilt and rowled in Sugar, but within full of bitterneſſe: Euen ſo Luſt and pleaſure, is no ſooner hatched, but repentance is at hand, holding her by the head, readie to ſupplant her; for pleaſure and ſorrow are two twinnes. Eſa. 38.17. Gene. 3.6.

2 As a painted Sepulcher, faire without, but within full of mortal infection and ſtench: Euen ſo Luſt and pleaſure, is preſently turned to ſorrow and teares, and flieth and ſlideth away, leauing rather cauſe of repentance, then occaſion of remembrance. 1. Tim. 5.6. Eſay. 22.12, 13, 14.

3 As he that companieth with Millers or Colliers, ſhal hardly eſcape free from blacking or meale: So likewiſe ſhall hee hardly eſcape Luſt and pleaſures, that haunteth with thoſe that are giuen to follow their Luſts and pleaſures.

4 As greene wood laid vponupon the fire, albeit at the firſt it reſiſteth, yet in the end doth burne and is conſumed: So is it with him that frequenteth thoſe that giuegive themſelues to Luſts and pleaſures, albeit at the beginning he reſiſteth the euill, and for a while falleth not thereinto, yet by continuall haunt, he finally falleth in with them.

5 As it is vnnaturall to kindle fire with water: So is it vnpoſſible for Luſt and pleaſure to breede in a penitent heart, that ſorroweth for ſinne. Ioel. 2.12, 16.

6 As Agis, the laſt King of the Lacedemonians, was in his youth giuen to all Luſtes and pleaſures, but being eſtabliſhed ruler of the land, he quite gaue them ouer, & ſhewed ſuch an example of temperance and ſobrietie, that the vſe of pleaſures quayling among his ſubiects, they alſo addicted themſelues to ſobrietie: Euen ſo we Chriſtians, albeit before the knowledge of the truth, wee wallowed in the Luſtes of the fleſh, yet being now rayſed to this honour p. 459and eſtate to be made kings and prieſts, yea euen the children of God, ought now to be the more eſtraunged from all Luſts and pleaſures, to the end, that after our example, all others may renounce the ſame, & immitate our ſobrietie. Rom. 13.14. Hebr. 11.25.

7 Euen as a Snayle by little and little, creepeth vp from the roote of a tree vntounto the top, as ſhee goeth conſuming the leaues, and leaueth nothing behind her, but foule and filthie ſlymiſh ſteps: So likewiſe Luſt and pleaſure, if wee conſent vntounto them, wil creepe into our ſoules and bodies, and will depriue them of all ornaments of vertue, and will leaue nothing behind, but a foule guiltie conſcience, and reproach to vsus and our poſteritie.

8 As Wine and drunkenneſſe make a man ſenceleſſe, &c. So Luſt and pleaſure peruerteth the ſenſe, and weakneth the ſoule.

9 As Feuers or Agues, the heate or cold wherof, though they be internall, yet are they more extreame, and more painefull to be endured, then the coldeſt or hotteſt ſeaſon of all the yeare: So likewiſe there is no fire whatſoeuer, whoſe heate is ſo forceable, as is the ſchorching flame of our owne Luſts and concupiſcences.

Liberalitie to the poore.

AS houſholders, if they keepe their Corne in their Barnes all the yeare, the vermine will conſume it, and ſo it will decreaſe; but if they ſowe & ſcatter it in the field, then they receiue increaſe thereof: So likewiſe if we doo not ſcatter and beſtow our welth and riches on the poore and needie, God will rather decreaſe them, then increaſe them. Math. 6.19. 2. Cor. 9.9, 10. 1. Timo. 6.17. Hebr. 6.10. & 13.16.