A Treasury of Similes, Part S · Part 14
Sacraments.
1 AS the great Caſtle Gili…fer, floureth not til March and Aprill, a yeare after the ſowing; and Marians Violets, two yeares after their ſowing: So the grace of God receiued in baptiſme, doth not by and by ſhew forth it ſelfe, till ſome yeares after the infuſion.
2 Euen as the beſt medicines, doo moſt annoy, vnleſſe they bee rightly miniſtred and receiued: So the vnſpeakable wholeſome Sacraments of Chriſt, to the worthie receiuers, are al health and life; but to the vnworthie, death and damnation.
3 As a ſeale is altogether vnprofitable, yea not allowed a ſeale, vnleſſe it be bounde or ſet to ſome inſtrument or writing, for the confirmation thereof: Euen ſo the Sacraments are altogether vnprofitable, yea indeed are no Sacraments, if they be not ioyned with the word of God preached, to confirme the ſame vntounto vsus. Matth. 28.19. 1. Cor. 11.26.
4 As they which come to heare the Goſpell preached, and want faith, receiue nothing but words; and the Goſpell to them is no Goſpell: Euen ſo, they which come to receiue the Sacraments without faith, do indeed receiue the ſymballs or ſignes; but they hauehave not the fruite, and thing of the Sacraments.
5 As Circumciſion, (which was a Sacrament of the old Lawe) was a ſeale in that time to our Fathers of righteouſneſſe: Euen ſo be our Sacraments to vsus in theſe daies, ſeales of Gods promiſes vntounto vsus; and al hauehave one ſtrength and vertue.
6 Like as the Sunne, which ſhineth well for all, but not to all; ſo it happeneth to thoſe, to whom the Sacraments are miniſtred.
7 As there are none, but thoſe which hauehave eyes, and do open their eyes, that do receiue the light of the Sunne, the which it repreſenteth to all; but in the meane time, ſuch as are blinde, or do ſhut their eyes, do not receiue it, for they hauehave not the inſtrument, without the which they cannot receiue it: So ſtandeth it betweene the faithfull, & the vnfaithful, in reſpect of the miniſtery of the church; for it repreſenteth vntounto all, the benefites of God. And albeit that the wicked and faithleſſe do not receiue them at all, that notwithſtanding the fame letteth not, but that the Miniſtery hath alway in it ſelf his vertue. But in the mean while, it is not ordeined but to be exerciſed towards thoſe for whom it was ordained; or otherwiſe it ſhould not be a Miniſtery; and by conſequence, ſhuld not hauehave his vertue. For where there is no faith in the heart, there the holy Sacraments, or ſignes, do no more profit the ſoule, then the light or ſhining of the Sunne, doo thoſe that are blind.
8 As a corrupt and withered braunch, which ſticketh ſtill faſt to the tree, but for all that, can receiue no ſtrength or life from the roofe, or hart of the tree: Euen ſo the vnfaithfull, although they receiue outwardly the bread and the wine, of the Miniſters, in the Supper of the Lord, yet they do not receiue the fatte, or the inward ſtrength, and the treaſure; to wit, the life, & the holy Ghoſt; or to ſpeak it in one word, the communion of the body, and of the bloud of Ieſus Chriſt; no more then the corrupted or withered braunch, receiueth life and ſtrength of the tree, in the which it is dead; albeit for a time, it cleaueth faſt to it.
9 Euen as it followeth not, that for ſo much as the withered braunch can draw to himſelfe no ſtrength, nor receiue life, that therefore it muſt needs bee alſo, that the ſound braunches can draw or receiue no ſtrength or life of the trunke or body of the tree; or that it doth not communicate his life vntounto thoſe good and ſound braunches: Euen ſo it followeth not, that the Sacraments be vain and bare ſignes, becauſe that the vnfaithfull cannot lay hold on life, nor on that which is offered, and ſealed vntounto vsus by the ſame.
10 As the fault is not in the Tree, but in the withered braunches, that it receiueth not from the Tree, a fatneſſe or a iuce: So no more is the fault in God, which offereth and preſenteth to all men, richly his giftes, but in the vnfaithfull, which neither will nor can receiue and imbrace the ſame, becauſe of their vnfaithfulneſſe; through the which, they are dead in the body of the chriſtian church, as oftentimes a braunch doth ſtarue in a good tree.
11 Like as the Scripture of God, is an Indenture betwixt him and vsus, wherin is contained both the promiſes, grace, and mercy, which God offereth to the world in his ſonne Chriſt; and alſo the conditions, which he requires to be fulfilled on our behalfe: So the Sacraments are the ſeales ſet to this Indenture, to ſtrengthen our faith, that we do not doubt.
12 As it is not inough to write the conditions of a bargaine in an Indenture, except it be ſealed: Euen ſo God for our weakeneſſe, thought it not ſufficient, to make vsus promiſe of bleſſings, in writing in his Scriptures, but he would ſeale it with his owne blood; and inſtitute his Sacraments, as ſeales and pledges of the ſame trueth, to remaine to be receiued of vsus, in remembrance of him, and ſtrengthening of our faith. So that we may very conueniently ſay, that Sacraments are as witneſſes, and ſolemne oathes, wherby we do as it were homage to God, and do make profeſſion of our faith and Religion.
13 Like as in Circumciſiō there meet foure things, that is to ſay; the promiſe, the commaundement of the ſigne, and the beliefe of the promiſe: So likewiſe in the meeting of eueryevery Sacrament, the ſame things muſt of neceſſitie meete: namely, that a godly Sacrament be a viſible ſigne commaunded and ordained by God: Whereby like as God beareth record of his promiſe vntounto men; ſo man accepting the ſigne, doth on the other ſide, profeſſe his faith toward God, and confirmeth the ſame with the vſe of the ſigne, and by thinking vponupon it.
14 Like as if a man would take the buſh, that hangeth at the Tauerne doore, and ſhould ſucke it for to ſlake his thirſt, and would not goe into the Tauerne where the Wine is, might bee well accounted an idiot and a foole: Euen ſo likewiſe may he be reckoned a foole, that (wheras the ſignes of the Sacraments were ordained by God, to bee helpes to nouriſh and plant faith in our hearts, and to confirme in vsus the promiſes of God,) hee through ignorance thereof (as many doo) ſhould prepoſterouſly iudge of the ſame, taking the ſignes, for the thing it ſelfe.
15 As Siluer and Gold beeing not coyned, is nothing elſe but Siluer or Gold; but if by her Maieſties commaundement, a new forme or ſtampe bee added by a print, it is made currant money, which it was not before, although it bee the very ſame ſubſtance, which it was before: Or as if one take waxe, which is faſtned to a writing or publike inſtrument, and it differeth not from other wax of it ſelfe, but onelyonly becauſe of the vſe, to the which it is appointed; that is to ſay, to ſerue for a teſtimonie, that the inſtrument is effectuall and auaileable, the which it hath not by nature, but by the ordinance of man: Euen ſo the ſignes of the Sacraments, to wit, water in baptiſme, and bread and Wine in the Lords Supper, although they be not chaunged, concerning their ſubſtance, meane, quantitie, or qualitie, but onelyonly in the vſe of them, and doo differ from common water, bread and Wine, in that they are ordained of God, to ſerue vntounto vsus as gages and pledges of thoſe benefits, which Chriſt by his death and …ſſion hath purchaſed for vsus; yet they bee ordained of God for an excellent couenant, to repreſent vntounto vsus moſt great and excellent things. And albeit that this mutation here ſpoken of, changeth not the ſubſtance of the ſignes, neither of bread, water, or Wine, but only the vſe of them; and is done and wrought by the holy Ghoſt, according to the ordinance of the good will of God, which is teſtified to vsus, by that promiſe, whereto the ſigne is ioyned, and not by the pronunciation of words, after the manner of Sorcerers, and Charmers, but the promiſe is the ſoule of the ſigne; ſo accordingly, the water, the bread and the wine, become Sacraments; that is to ſay, true and veritable ſignes of thoſe things, which the word promiſeth, and which be preſented by them; ſo that this alteration is onelyonly in the vſe therof; for before and after the adminiſtration of the Sacrament, it taketh no place, but onelyonly during the action and vſe, to the which this chaunge or mutation tendeth.
16 Like as the word ſerueth to no purpoſe, except it be ſo preached, that it may be vnderſtood; and further, except that which it declareth and repreſenteth to vsus, that is to ſay Ieſus Chriſt, with all his goodneſſe, be receiued by the faith of thoſe which heare it: Euen ſo alſo ought wee to vnderſtand of the Sacraments, if wee bring not faith, which is the onelyonly meanes to receiue that which is preached to vsus, repreſented and offered by the ſame word; but contrariwiſe in diſpiſing them by our incredulitie, and reiecting that goodneſſe, which God offereth with the ſame to vsus, we ſeale our owne condemnation.
17 Like as the Goſpell ceaſeth not of his owne nature, to be the word of life and ſaluation, although the wicked through their contempt, turne it into the ſauour of death and damnation: Euen ſo the Sacraments, ceaſe not to be true Sacraments, although they be either miniſtred by vnworthie perſons, or receiued vnworthily.
11 As the ſeede, how good ſo euer it be, bringeth not foorth fruit at the ſame inſtant that it is ſowne, but continueth a certaine time in the earth: So is it not meete to reſtraine the fruit and vertue of the word of God, to the ſame houre that it is preached, or the Sacraments to the ſame inſtant, that they be miniſtred; but the fruit ſhall be ſhewed in the elect, when it pleaſeth God.
19 As water is not the water in Baptiſme, nor a ſigne, nor conſequently a Sacrament thereof; but ſo farre forth as they bee ioyned with the word of Ieſus Chriſt, by the which it is dedicated and conſecrated to that vſe, and ſo being applyed to thoſe perſons, which are to be Baptiſed according to his commaundement: So the verie like is of the Bread and Wine of the Lords Supper; for they can no more bee the ſignes thereof, then may the water of Baptiſme, if being ioyned together with the word of Ieſus Chriſt, whereby they are dedicated and conſecrated to this Sacrament, they bee not giuen, and diſtributed to thoſe which ſhould bee partakers of the ſame; as it dooth appeare by the expreſſe word of Ieſus Chriſt, in that hee ſaith of both the ſignes: Take yee and eate yee; likewiſe, Drinke yee all of this; For it is plaine, that theſe wordes may not bee ſpoken either to the Breade, or to the Wine; but onelyonly to the perſons, which might vnderſtand them, and execute the commaundement, that our Sauiour Chriſt gaue vntounto them by the ſame: For the Bread and the Wine, can neither eate nor drinke themſelues. Math. 28.19. Math. 26.27. Mark. 14.22, 23. Luk. 22.19, 20. 1. Cor. 11.24.
20 Like as louing and tender hearted parents, are not content to procure for their children, coſtly poſſeſſions and liuely-hoodes, but take order that the ſame may bee conſerued, and come to their vſe: Euen ſo our Lord and Sauiour, thought it not ſufficient, to purchaſe for vsus his Fathers fauour againe, (which is the deepe fountaine of all goodneſſe and eternall life) but alſo inuented the wayes moſt wiſely, (by the inſtitution of his holy Sacraments) whereby the ſame might redounde to our commoditie and profit.
21 Like as of olde time, God decreed his wonderous benefits, of deliuerance of his people, in memorie by the eating of the Paſſeouer, with his rites and ceremonies: So our louing Sauiour hath ordained and eſtabliſhed, the remembrance of his great mercy expreſſed in his Paſſion, in the inſtitution of his heauenly Supper, wher eueryevery one of vsus muſt be gueſts and not gazers; eaters, and not lookers on; feeding our ſelues, and not hiring other to feede for vsus; that wee may liue by our owne meate, and not periſh for hunger, whiles others deuour all. Exod. 12.1. &c.
22 As of neceſſitie, we muſt be our ſelues partakers of the Lords Supper, and not beholders of other: So wee muſt addreſſe our ſelues, to frequent the Sacrament in reuerent and due maner, leaſt as Phyſicke, prouided for the body, being miſuſed, more hurteth then profiteth; ſo this comfortable medicine of the foule, vndecently receiued, tend to our greater harme and ſorrow.
23 Like as the Supper of the Lord is a ſpirituall meate, and ſweete to thoſe that bee incorporated and made one body with Ieſus Chriſt, and with their neighbour: Euen ſo of the contrarie, it is a mortall poyſon to them, which put not their whole truſt in Ieſus Chriſt, and be ſeperated from their neighbour.
24 As it is not enough for a child to be borne, and that hee hauehave life by his parents, which begot him, if that afterwards they doo not alſo nouriſh him, to conſerue him; and to the ende that hee may grow and become tall and ſtrong in the ſame: Euen ſo God our Father, dooth not content himſelfe to hauehave begotten vsus for his children in his Church, by the incorruptible ſeede of his word, and to hauehave giuen vsus life in his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt, by the vertue of his holy ſpirit; but will alſo conſerue and nouriſh vsus in the ſame, by the right vſe of his holy Sacraments, and wil make vsus to grow and wax ſtrong, and accompliſh the worke which he hath begunne in vsus, and al this by his Sonne Ieſus Chriſt.
25 As it is not enough that a ſhepheard doo onelyonly gather his ſheepe into the fold or ſheepecoate; but alſo that hee prouide meate for them and paſture: Or as it is not ſufficient that a Maiſter doo onelyonly entertaine his ſeruant, into his ſeruice, by giuing him his Liuerie coate & badge, whereby hee is openly knowne to be his man; but alſo that hee prouide and giuegive him meate and drinke dayly to feede him: So ſurely dooth the Lord with vsus in theſe Sacraments. For by baptiſme, doth hee admit vsus to his ſeruice, and by the Supper doth hee feede vsus, that we periſh not with hunger.
26 Like as mans body is nouriſhed and ſuſtained by bread and Wine: So alſo our ſoules are ſuſtained ſpiritually, with the body of Chriſt giuen for vsus, and with his bloud ſhed for our ſakes. Iohn. 6.32, 33, 35. 1. Cor. 11.24, 25.
27 As bread nouriſheth our bodies: So thereby we learne, that Chriſtes body, hath moſt ſingular force, ſpiritually by faith to feede our ſoules. Ioh. 6.50, 55, 56.
28 And as with Wine mens hearts are cheared, and their ſtrengths confirmed: So we learne alſo, that with his bloud our ſoules are refreſhed thorow faith.
29 And further, as ſurely as we know, that we hauehave receiued the bread & wine with our mouths and ſtomacks: So ſurely thereby we are aſſured, that Chriſt maketh the faithfull beleeuers, partakers of his body and bloud. Ioh. 6.54, 63, 64.
30 As thoſe which hauehave eaten ſweete Comficts, and ſeede for the moſt part on delicate Cates, hauehave ſweete breathes: Euen ſo muſt there needes bee found a ſweete ſmelling Odour, in all the words and workes of thoſe, which are fed with this ſpirituall and heauenly foode, the bodie and blood of Chriſt, and in whom Chriſt dooth dwell; for they do all things for the profit and edification of their brethren, and the glory of God.
31 Euen as the Goſpell, which of it owne nature is the word of life and ſaluation, is yet turned by the wicked, vntounto the ſauour of death: So the Sacraments alſo, which are inſtituted by God, vntounto the ſaluatiō of men, are notwithſtanding, receiued by the faithleſſe, and the vnwoorthie communicants, vntounto their condemnation, and iudgement: and yet do they not deſiſt in reſpect of God, to be true Sacraments ſtill.
32 As a ſicke man feeles no comfort or nouriſhment, when he eateth meate, and yet it preſerueth his life: So the weake Chriſtian, though he feele himſelfe not nouriſhed at the Sacrament by Chriſts bodie and blood, yet he ſhall ſee in time, that his houſe ſhall be preſerued thereby, vntounto euerlaſting life.
32 Like as Souldiers, when they receiue their pay, do binde themſelues to their Captaine, by ſolemne oath: Euen ſo we, when we are partakers of the holy Sacraments which God hath appointed in his Church, by the which he beſtoweth vponupon vsus ſpirituall gifts, do bind our ſelues to him, by the ſame oath.
34 As we ſee with our eyes, that the bread is broken for vsus: So we are certainly confirmed in our faith, that the bodie of Chriſt was giuen vntounto death for vsus.
35 As certainly as we ſee that the bread and wine to be preſent: So certainly do we beleeue, that the bodie and blood of Chriſt is preſent with vsus alſo: yea we do not beleeue, that it is the Supper of the Lord, except his bodie and blood be preſent with vsus.
36 As things ſet before the eyes, do mooue the ſight: Euen ſo the Sacraments moue the heart to beleeue.
37 Euen as ſure as we take the bread in the Lords Supper, and eate it with the mouth of the bodie, and drinke the wine: So verely & certainly, euen at the ſame inſtant, with the mouth of our faith, we receiue the verie bodie and blood of Chriſt, and there it doth as actually comfort and ſuſtain the ſoule, as doth the bread and the wine nouriſh and comfort the heart, and the outward man.
38 And as verely as the moſt ſoueraigne plaiſter and ſalue laid to a wound or ſoare, draweth out the filth, and healeth it: ſo verily and really, doth the bodie and bloud of Chriſt thus receiued, put away the ſoares and deformities of the ſoule; and not only maketh it whole, but alſo pure, clean, without ſcar, wrinkle, and ſpot, and ſo maketh it, a delectable, louely, & faire ſpouſe in the ſight of God.
39 As when many Windows be opened in an houſe, the more light may come in, then when there is but one opened: Euen ſo by the perception and receiuing of the Sacraments, a Chriſtian mans conſcience hath more helpe to receiue Chriſt, then ſimply by the word preached, heard, or meditated; and therefore the Sacraments may well be called ſeeable, ſenſible, taſte-able, and touchable words.
40 As the Diuel entred into Iudas by the ſoppe which Chriſt gaue him, yet not that he receiued an euil thing of him, but becauſe he did receiue it badly, and with an euill mind: Euen ſo the vnworthie communicants, eate and drinke their owne damnation; not by the eating of the bread and wine, (which are holy ſignes) but becauſe they receiue the ſame, without faith and repentance, hauing in euil conſcience.
41 As the word Sacramentum, was a form of a ſolemne …h in war, wherby the ſoldier did vow & deſtinat himſelf to ſerue his Generall, and the Generall in like manner did binde himſelfe to his ſouldiers: So alſo by the vſe and inſtitution of the holy Sacraments, after that God hath promiſed that he will be our God, and giuegive vntounto vsus ſaluation, he doth in like manner, binde vsus as it were with a ſolemne oath, before himſelfe, before Angels, and men, that we will ſerue him, and none other.