A Treasury of Similes, Part O – Part P
Obedience to God, the whole dutie of man.
1 LIke as amongſt Archers, there is but one onelyonly marke, whereto they muſt direct their arrowes to ſhoote well, and yet many meanes to miſſe, and ſhoote ſhort: So is there but one onelyonly holineſſe, whereunto we muſt aſpire and ſeeke after, which is a ſetled deſire, fully reſolued wholly to obey God; but there are many kinds of vices and meanes to diſobey him, and to withſtand his will.
2 As it is a common practiſe of ſicke men, when they make their willes, on their death beddes, in the verie firſt place to commend their bodies to the graue, and their ſoules to God, that gaue them in hope of a better …urrection: and all this is well done; but afterward they bequeath their goods gotten by fraude, oppreſſion, and forged cauillation, to their owne friendes and children, without making any recompence or ſatisfaction; but alas this ſhould not be ſo. Euen ſo Obedience that goes with good conſcience, muſt bee performed to all Gods com…undemens without exception; and if it be done but … ſome alone, it is but counterfeit obedience, and hee …t is guiltie in one, is guiltie in all.
Obedience of Chriſtes death.
LIke as (by the determinate counſell of God) the Obedience of Adam, conueyed it ſelfe (by naturall propagation) from him to all his ofspring foreuer: Euen ſo on the other ſide, the Obedience of Chriſtes death, appertaineth fully to all thoſe, that are ſpiritually begotten of him by a liuely faith.
Originall ſinne.
1 LIke as Corne how cleane ſoeuer it bee purged from the chaffe and ſtraw, if it bee fowne, will neuertheleſſe ſpring vp againe, both with ſtraw and chaffe: Euen ſo in like manner, how cleane ſo euer the children of God themſelues, are purged from their ſinnes by the bloud of Chriſt, yet their children notwithſtanding, doo grow vp with the ſeeds of all ſinne in them.
2 As a great houſe is darke, hauing but a little window, and not becauſe there is any fault in the Sunne that ſhineth into it: Euen ſo wee are euil of our ſelues, and not by any fault that is in God. Pſal. 5.4.
Old men readie to imbrace ſuperſtition.
LIke as young Children that want reaſon and diſcretion, will catch at the burning candle, which if the… knewe that it would hurt them, they would not doo i… So likewiſe Old men, and Old women, will ſooneſt be drawne into ſuperſtition, becauſe it hath a glitterin… ſhew; which they would not doo, if they knew the h… that it bringeth to their ſoules. Col. 2.23.
One manner of ſinning in the godly, and another in the vngodly.
AS a wicked man, when he ſinneth in his heart, he… ueth full conſent to the ſinne: But the godly thou… they fall into the ſame ſinnes with the wicked, yet th… neuer giuegive full conſent, for they are in their minds, wills, and affections, partly regenerate, and partly vnregenerate; and therefore their willes, will partly abhorre that which is euill. Rom. 7.22. Math. 26.69, 70, 71, 72.
Offenders ought to be reprooued, and admoniſhed.
1 AS hee that ſeeth a murtherer and ſtandeth by, and giueth him the looking on, without giuing foorth any thing, to ſhew him his diſliking of the fact, is worthy to be accounted acceſſarie to his murther: Or as hee that ſeeth a blind man running into a pit, and neither ſtayes him from running into it, neither yet helpeth him out being falne into it, but letteth him there bee drowned, is guiltie of his death: Euen ſo is hee to be accounted, that ſeeth his brother kill his ſoule by ſinning, and will not endeuour to doo what hee can by rebuking him, to ſtay him from ſo doing. Hebr. 3.13. Leuit. 19.17. Gal. 6.1. Ephe. 5.11. 1. Theſſa. 5.11, 14.
2 As one member is ready to helpe an other, as the hand is readie to plucke out a thorne or thiſtle, by the dilection of the eyes, euen out of the leaſt toe: So godly Chriſtians ought to be readie, by admonition and repre…enſion, to plucke out ſinne and errour one out of an o…er, & that as ſpeedily as may be, leaſt they be like Caine. … Cor. 12.14. Gene. 4.9.
3 Like as if there be a Moate fallen into the childs eye, …he Mother thereof will take and beſtow great paines, by …iping, and blowing, and licking to get it out, and all this …hee doth of louelove to her child, becauſe ſhee knoweth that …he moate would in time be noyſome, perillous, and doo …ch harme to her childs eye: Euen ſo if there were that …he in Chriſtians, one towards an other, that ought to be, …y could not but do their beſt endeuor by admonition, and reprehention, one to helpe an other, to get out the leaſt more of ſinne and errour, that their brethren are infected with. Math. 7.4.5.
4 As Phyſitions doo oftentimes cut off a rotten member, leaſt it corrupt and putrifie the other members: So it behooueth men of authoritie, if they will preſerue the Common-wealth in ſafetie, to roote out of it, all thoſe that doo giuegive themſelues, euen with greedineſſe, to beaſtly behauiour, and to rotten conditions; as theft, Adulterie, fornication, murther, blaſphemie, treacherie, treaſon, and ſuch like; leaſt the rotten ones, deſtroy them that be ſound; and the wicked and rebellious crew, drawe the better ſort to diſobedience.
5 As it behoueth, to reward well, thoſe that be profitable members, and ſuch as doo liue in the feare of God, and due Obedience: Euen ſo it is no leſſe neceſſarie and needfull to reprooue the wicked, and to giuegive them their deſerued puniſhment.
Originall corruption, is the roote of all ſinne.
1 AS a Serpent yet yong, or yet vnbrought forth, is full of poyſon, and cannot afterward (when time and occaſion is giuen) but bring foorth the fruites thereof: Euen ſo we, though we ſhewed not the fruites of ſinne … ſoone as we were borne, nor long after, yet were we ful… of naturall poyſon; from whence all wicked deedes do… ſpring, and cannot but ſinne outwardly, as ſoone as we… are able to worke (be wee neuer ſo yong) if occaſion b… giuen.
2 As an Adder, a Toad, or a Snake, is hated of vsus, no… for the euill it hath done, but for the poyſon that is in i… and hurt which it cannot but doo: Euen ſo wee all we… hated of God, for that naturall poyſon which is conce… ued and borne with vsus, before we did any outward euill.
3 Like as the euill which a venemous worme dooth, maketh it not a Serpent, but becauſe it is a venemous worme, therefore dooth it euill, and poyſoneth: Euen ſo doo not our euill deeds make vsus euill firſt, but becauſe we are of nature euill, therefore we do euill, and thinke euill, to eternall damnation by the law, and are contrarie to the will of God in our will, and in all things conſent vntounto the will of Sathan.
Old mens example.
1 LIke as Ly…ſters and Dyars, doo die moſt often that colour, which they perceiue moſt men doo delight in: Euen ſo young men doo moſt ſtudiouſly haunt and imbrace that, which they ſee Old men and Councellors hauehave in moſt eſtimation.
2 As an Old man in yeares and experience, is beyond them that are yong and greene headed: So hee ought in life and example, as well as in counſell to inſtruct others; for when he falleth into folly, he hurteth himſelfe greatly with his ſinne, and other more with his example.
3 As fire, when it breaketh out of compaſſe, and order, is more perillous in Old buildings, then in new houſes: So miſdemeanour, couetouſneſſe, leacherie, pride, drunkenneſſe, and blaſphemie, is more offenſiue, & doth more harme in Old age, then in greene youth.
Order to be vſed in reforming the Church or Common-weale.
AS hee that roweth in an eye for the getting out of a moate, where a beame is ſticking, there is ſmall hope …at he ſhall cleare that eye, but rather doo more harme …o it then good: Euen ſo they that goe about to reforme …e Church or Common-weale of ſmall faults and offences, and leaue great matters vnreformed, deale verie diſorderly, and without wiſedome and due conſideration Math. 7.5.
The Office of God, what it is.
1 LIke as towards the obedience of a Prince, it profiteth much, if in this ſort a man know what the King is; to wit, if he know what the Kings doings, purpoſe, dutie, and Office is: Euen ſo it is profitable for a Chriſtian, if he know that the Office of God is, to bee maker and preſeruer of all things; ſuch a one as without him, nothing can be, neither yet continue. 1. Timo. 4.10. Eſay. 46.3, 4.
2 As it helpeth not the ſicke patient to know the name and ſhape of the Phyſition, if he be ignorant that hee is a Phyſition: Euen ſo it auaileth a man nothing, if he know that there is a God, his name, and his beeing; if he know not that hee is the maker, ſauiour, and gouernour of all things, and ſo know not the ſame, wherefore he ought to pray vntounto him. Heb. 11.6.
Many Offices cannot be diſcharged.
AS he that commeth to a heape of Corne, the more h… ſeemeth to take vp in his hand, the leſſe he may: Eue… ſo he that coueteth many Offices, either in the Church o… Common-weale, ſhall be able to diſcharge none well.
Pittileſſe Oppreſsion.
AS a raging Raine beateth the Corne downe, & waſheth away all before it: So when one poore man Oppreſſeth an other, commonly it is without pittie or me… cie. Prou. 28.3.
We doo Obey God, in obeying them to whom he hath made vsus ſubiects.
LIke as in the houſe which is well ordered, all thin… be directed, vntounto the onelyonly will of the good man … the houſe, (for vnleſſe it ſhould be ſo, the good order … eſtate of the houſe could not continue) ſo that ther… one conformable will in all, and through them all, which is deriued from the good-man of the houſe, into all the family, as from the head, to the members of the ſame one bodie, and yet after a certaine degree, ſome be preferred …boue others, whome the reſt of the people, inferiour in age; or in condition, is ſubiect vntounto, and do Obey them, becauſe of the will and order of the good-man of the houſe, wherby he doth giuegive authoritie vntounto them whom he ſetteth aboue the reſt in his houſe; which be then well Obeyed, if by that obedience, there be nothing derogate be diminiſhed from the ſuperiour will and power of the good-man of the houſe: Euen ſo in like maner it ſtandeth with the caſe of our obedience to God, who is the chiefe …ing and houſholder in this world, whoſe onelyonly will is in …, and of all ſpecially to be regarded; and in caſe he hath …ade vsus ſubiect vntounto none, wee be not bound to Obey …y liuing man; but in caſe there be any to whome wee muſt be ſubiect, that cannot bee any other wayes but by his will; ſo that we muſt of neceſſitie Obey them, vnleſſe we will ſhew our ſelues to be out of all order.
Offence.
AS a Traytor that clippeth the coyne of his Pince, maketh it lighter to bee weyed, but neuer the worſe to …e touched: So hee that by ſiniſter reports, ſeemeth to …paire the credite of his friend, may make him lighter a…ong the common ſort, who by weight are oftentimes …eceiued, but nothing impaireth his good name with the wiſe, who trie all Gold by the touch ſtone.
There ſorts of Officers needfull in the Church.
LIke as we ſee that in trimming of the materiall Vine, ther be diuers laborers; for ſom cut away the brāches that bee voide, ſome vnderſet and lay abroad the Vine, yea ſome pare away the olde earth, and lay newe to the roote; which offices be alſo ſo neceſſarie to the Vine, that that if any of them faile or want, it wil either let or hinder, or vtterly deſtroy the growing of the Vine; for vnleſſe the Vine be cut, it will waxe wild; except it be rayſed vp and laid abroad, weedes and nettles wil ſoone ouer grow it; and if the roote be not fatted with new and freſh dung, it will wax barren with feebleneſſe: Euen ſo, no leſſe needfull in Chriſtes Church bee theſe three Officers; to wit, Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and Labourers; for it becommeth Magiſtrates not to ſuffer wronges and thefts, oppreſſions and iniuries to be done, and to maintaine Gods law; and them that bee the Preachers thereof; yea and to ſee the land kept from inſurrection, and inuaſion of forraine enemies; it alſo appertaineth to the Miniſters and Preachers to labour faithfully, to weede and cut away the voide braunches of ſinne, with the ſword of Gods word; and to Labourers, it belongeth to worke and labour bodily, and carefully, to get out of the earth bodily ſuſtenance, both for themſelues and others: All theſe eſtates be ſo needful to the Church, that none may well be without other; fo… if Magiſtrates, and men to gouerne the people by law… and wiſedome, ſhould want; then theeues, and wicked liuers would ſo increaſe, that no man could liue in peace and if Preachers ſhould want, then the people woul… wax wild in all vice and ſinne through ignorance, and f… default of knowledge of Gods word▪ and ſo periſh eue… laſtingly: And if Labourers and Artificers, ſhould b… lacking in the Common-wealth, then both Magiſtrat… and Miniſters, ſhould become Husbandmen, Laboure… and handle craftes men; or elſe muſt die for want of nat… ral foode.
2 Like as if there were but one Horſe, or one ſheepe in the world, yet if hee had Corne and graſſe, as nature and kind hath ordained for ſuch a beaſt, hee would liue well enough by himſelfe, without any helpe of other of the ſame kind: But if ther were but one man in the world, although he had all the good and wealth therein, yet for want of other he would die, or at leaſt he would be worſe then if he were not liuing.
Principles are neceſſarily to be knowne.
AS in a Pothecaries ſhop, wher the knowledge of ſuch things is ſet forth and profeſſed, it is a great ſhame, if common and no leſſe profitable ſimples ſhould be vnknowne: So in a Church or family of the faithfull, where the knowledge of ſuch matters is profeſſed, it is great ſhame, if common and no leſſe needful Principles ſhould not be well and rightly vnderſtood.
Perſons of men in Chriſtianitie, not to be regarded.
AS Echium, or Tipers, Bugloſſe ſeede, is like a Serpents head, yet bringeth an wholeſome hearbe, and remedie againſt Serpents: So a man vncomely may hauehave good graces, and be an helpe to men againſt the wicked.
Prudence and prouidence in worldly affaires.
AS in times paſt, it did ſuffiſe, if men were not hurt or annoyed by brute and wilde beaſtes, but afterwards …en vſe them for their gaine and commoditie, as to bee …ouered with their skins, to feede on their fleſh, and to be …ealed with their gall, or inward parts: So ought we not …ely to beware leaſt our enemie doo hurt vsus, but alſo to … him for our vtilitie and profit.
Princes and Magiſtrates, are eſpecially to eſchue vices.
1 AS the Eclips of the Sunne, is the cauſe of death and deſtruction: So is an errour or vice, which is an Eclips of vertue in a Prince, a great calamitie, and a pernicious plague vntounto the people; and preſageth the like fall in the apiſh immitating multitude.
2 As the Hart when he can finde no paſture, is poore and bare of fleſh, and void of ſtrength, when he is hunted and purſued: Euen ſo are the Princes and Rulers of thoſe countries, which by the iuſt iudgement of God are oppreſſed, and ouerrun with forraine nations. Pſal. 42.1.
3 As a great braunch cut from a tree, bringeth downe a number of ſmall ones with it: Or as a great Prince commeth forth of his Pallace, a multitude doo follow him: Euen ſo do ſubiects ordinarily follow the example of their Prince and Magiſtrate, whether good or bad; for whatſoeuer he doth, it ſeemeth that he commaundeth it. Deut. 17.16. &c. Ioſu. 1.8. 1. Sam. 2.30.
4 Euen as from the Sap of a tree, dooth proceed that ſtrength, wherwith the boughs do floriſh and bring forth fruit: So from a godly Prince, and magiſtrate, ſuch iuſtice, vertue, and godlineſſe, doo proceed, that thereby all the people are mightily moued to true Religion, aright worſhipping of God, due obedience, and honeſtie of life and conuerſation.
5 Like as when in mans body, the Hart dooth not impart vntounto the members, the vital ſpirits, but the artiries are ſtopt & ſhut vp, and the bloud forſaketh the vaines, it is a ſigne of death; & that the partie in this caſe, is either alreadie dead, or elſe he wil die ſhortly: Euen ſo when kings & Princes of the earth, are tyranical towards their loyal ſubiects, withdrawing from them pity, mercy, louelove, & liberalitie; it threatneth & doth prognoſticate the ruine of thei… kingdomes; but through the mercy, clemencie and louelove of Princes, their kingdomes doo mightily floriſh, and the Princes themſelues, doo enioy great tranquilitie, ſecuritie, and peace. Prou. 20.20. Eſc. 10.3.
6 Euen as among the pretie ſweete Bees, that Bee only which leadeth & ruleth al the reſt, either hath no ſting, or at the leaſt, doth not vſe it: So clemencie and mercy agreeth with none more in all the world, then with a Prince.
Proſperitie and wealth, maketh not a man truely happie.
1 AS children do much wonder, and prayſe thoſe players, which on the Scaffold be apparelled in pide and peeuiſh garments: So fooles they be, that wil deeme them happy, who be loaden either with wealth, or braue attire.
2 Like as we ſee horſes, when they be much pampered, to kicke, to be fierce, & not to abide the rider: Euē ſo Proſperitie, maketh men drunken, & as it were bringeth them on ſleepe; and no maruaile, for as the common ſaying is, Fulneſſe ingendreth fierceneſſe. Dan. 4.1. Pſal. 30.6.
3 As a morning cloud, that at the Sun riſing, vaniſheth away: Euen ſo ſhall the Proſperitie of the wicked be.
4 As the Graſſe on the houſe top, which for lacke of roote, withereth afore it can grow vp to bee mowen, or to ſerue to any other good vſe: Euen ſo is alſo the floriſhing Proſperitie of ſuch men, Cities, and landes, as by manifold wickedneſſe, prouoke Gods wrath and indignation againſt them. Pſal. 37.1, 2. & 129.6, 7. Eſay. 37.27.
Preachers of the Law when need requireth, are no diſturbers of the peace of the Church.
AS the skilful Phyſition, who giuing a ſharp purgation to his ſurfitted patient, which for a time doth diſquiet all the parts of his bodie, may truely bee accounted a diſtemperer of his patients health: for euen as a purgation, notwithſtāding it maketh much rumbling in the patients bowels, and ſeeme for a time, to diſeaſe all the members; yet afterwards procuring perfect health to his body, cannot therefore in truth and in deed, be called the diſquietter thereof: So ſurely, thoſe Miniſters, notwithſtanding they miniſter ſome bitter purgation out of the word, to ſuch ſilly poore patients in Chriſt, as hauehave ſurfeited long vponupon ſome points of Idolatrie, and ſuperſtition, whereby alſo their ignorant mindes, and weake conſciences are much diſquietted for a time, yet (for that they procure in the ende their former health, and ſeeke onelyonly to reſtore them a right to their perfect libertie in Chriſt) they cannot therefore bee truely termed diſturbers either of the outward or inward peace of the Church; but rather the faithfull defenders thereof; for that they doo daily admoniſh their people to conforme themſelues to the right manner of ſeruing and worſhipping God, according to his word; and to beware of ſuch ſtinking Garlike and Onions of Egypt, as naturally they are apt to ſurfeit vponupon. Numb. 11.4, 5.
Patience.
1 AS in playing tables we know not what caſt ſhal happen, but that which happeneth, is the players part to play well: So what things ſhall happen in our life, is not in vsus to appoint, but that which happeneth, is our dutie by Patience, to accept and vſe well.
2 As the Apoſtles did waite with Patience for the promiſe of Chriſt, for ſo ſoone as he was aſcended into heauen, they came ſtraight to Ieruſalem, where they continued tenne dayes, till the holy Ghoſt was ſent: So likewiſe muſt wee preſcribe no time to the Lord, but Patiently waite for thoſe things which we want. Act. 1.11, 12. & 2.1, 2, 3, 4.
3 Euen as the Husbandman, labouring in tilling and ſowing their fieldes, doo patiently looke for fruite: So the godly ought by Patience to looke for the end of faith, which is the ſaluation of their ſoules. Iam. 5.7.