A Treasury of Similes, Part V
Vnitie among brethren.
AS you may not with any kind of might, breake the Faggot or Bauen, that is whole, when as yet you may lightly breake the ſtickes thereof ſeuerally, or being a ſunder: So are brethren eaſie to be ouercommed, which doo ſtriue together, but being at amitie, they are not ſo ſoone diſcomfited.
Vertue alwayes accompanied with praiſe.
AS our ſhaddow followeth vsus, although againſt our will: So likewiſe glorie, praiſe, and commendations, doo follow Vertue and learning.
Vaine-glorie.
1 AS winds being about to ceaſe, doo moſt vehemently blow: So mortall men, when they doo moſt exalt themſelues, then are they neareſt their fall and end.
2 As nights ſucceed dayes, and Winter Summer: So griefe and ſadneſſe, follow Vaine-glorie and pleaſure.
Spirituall Vſurie.
LIke as he which lendeth, looketh iuſtly to receiue his owne againe: Euen ſo let him that is mercifull to the poore, moſt aſſuredly expect, that the things which hee layeth out, ſhall be rendred againe of God with a moſt liberal increaſe; as it were with a threeſold Vſurie. Prou. 91. 17. Math. 5.41. Deut. 15.10. Math. 25.27, 28.
Vertue to be encreaſed with life.
LIke as they that are toſted here and there with ſundrie tempeſts, hauehave not ſayled much, but were greatly encumbred: So ſuch as hauehave liued long, neither yet hauehave profited any thing in Vertue, and godlineſſe, are not ſaid to hauehave liued, but lingred.
Vnwilling to die.
LIke as hee is ouermuch giuen to Wine, which would ſucke vp the dregges: So is hee too greedie of life, which in old age could not be content to die.
Vertue.
1 LIke as if a man caſt a precious ſtone into the durt, it will notwithſtanding ſhewe foorth the beautie of it againe: Euen ſo the Vertue of a holy and righteous man, wil ſhew forth it ſelfe, whitherſoeuer it be caſt, either into bondage, priſon, or proſperitie.
2 Like as precious and coſtly Spices, and Odours, doo ſmell and ſauour beſt when they be bruſed, broken, or ſet on fire: Euen ſo the praiſe and commendation of Vertue, thorow continuall vſe and exerciſe, and thorow aduerſitie, is ſpread wide abroad, and made minifeſt, and known euerie where.
3 Like as true faith is not Idle, but working, and powerfull by louelove: Euen ſo true Vertue, is not a bare affection of the mind, or the bare purpoſe of the will, but dooth ſet out it ſelfe by outward honeſt actions, and dooth ſhine in them; from whence all the praiſe thereof dooth conſiſt in the action. Tit. 3.8. 1. Theſſ. 4.12. Rom. 12.17.
4 As wee are wont to eate Peares, and the kernels of Nuts, but throw from vsus vppon the ground, the parings and ſhels: So we ought vnfainedly to bee in louelove, and delight with Vertue and godlineſſe, and to continue & deſpiſe the ſhape or ſhadow of the ſame, being ſeperated and diuided from Vertue it ſelfe; for, to retaine and hold the faſhion and likeneſſe of Vertue, without the ſubſtance of the ſame, is meere hypocriſie.
5 Like as when Orpheus, went to fetch his wife Euridice out of Hell, hee had her graunted to him vponupon a condition, that he ſhould not turne back his eyes to looke vponupon her, till hee had brought her into heauen. Yet hauing brought her forward a great way, at length his louelove was ſo exceſſiue, that hee could not continue any longer, but would needs hauehave a ſight of her; wherupon forthwith he loſt both her ſight and her ſelfe, ſhe ſuddenly againe vaniſhing away from him: So if we hauehave any Vertue, which is to be loued, as a man is to louelove his wife, yet wee muſt not be ſo blind in affection, as to doate too much vppon it, or to bee alwayes gazing and wondering at it, leaſt by too much looking vppon it, and by too well liking of it, and by too often remembring of it, wee looſe it.
6 As the Sunne being directly ouer vsus, our bodies hauehave the leſſe ſhadow, as we may perceiue at noone, and a little before and after: So alſo the more Vertue and goodneſſe is in vsus, the leſſe oſtentation and boaſting we ſhould hauehave.
7 Contrariwiſe, as this is a ſigne of the going down of the Sunne, & his departure from vsus, when as our ſhadows become great: So alſo this is an argument, to prooue that Vertue diminiſheth in vsus, when pride and preſumption increaſeth.
8 As the heate of the Sunne ſoftneth Waxe, and hardneth the myre: So likewiſe Vertue reioyceth and comforteth the good, & grieueth the wicked, conſuming and waſting them by little and little, and ſo at length pineth away with ſorrow and griefe, in ſeeing good men floriſh in wealth and proſperitie.
9 As we ſee the fire in the beginning, caſt foorth a great ſmoak, which quickly vaniſheth away as ſoone as it is well kindled: So likwiſe Vertue cauſeth great malice and ſpite in the beginning, but if a man be conſtant and will not be diſcouraged, but burneth more and more in Vertue and goodneſſe, in the end he ſhall diſperſe them, as the Sunne beams driueth away the clouds, in ſuch ſort, that at length we ſhall not know what is become of them.
10 Euen as the Stars doo ſhine in the night, but in the day time they lie hidden: Euen ſo, true Vertue, waxing beautifull by temptation, doth (as yron with vſe) ſhew in aduerſitie what force it is off, which otherwiſe in time of proſperitie lay hid in ſecret.
11 As the precious ſtone Sandaſtra, hath nothing in outward appearance, but that which ſeemeth blacke, but being broken, powreth foorth beames like the Sunne: So Vertue ſheweth but bare to the outward eye, but beeing peirced with inward deſire, ſhineth like Chriſtall.
12 Like as in a paire of Tables, nothing may be well written before the blots and blurs be wiped out: ſo Vertue and nobleneſſe can neuer be ſeene in a man, except he firſt put away his vices.
13 As by nature the Cedar will be tall, the Diamond bright, and the Carbuncle gliſtring: So Vertue wil ſhine, though it be neuer ſo much obſcured.
14 Like as an Adamant draweth by little and little the heauie yron, vntill at laſt it be ioyned with it: So Vertue and wiſedome drawe mens mindes to the practiſe therof.
Vaine glorious fooles in preaching.
AS ſome Phiſitions to the intent they would ſeeme the more learned, do mingle ſometimes together, diuers kindes of hearbes, fetched from the ſundry partes of the world: So ſome Vaine and glorious fooles, do thinke no Sermons or Orations, learned enough, vnleſſe they rehearſe therein, the authoritie and ſayings of Poets, Orators, Philoſophers, together with ſentences in Hebrew, Greeke, and Latine.
Varietie of Treatiſes.
LIke as Varietie of meates do corrupt in the ſtomacke, and breed ſickneſſe, rather then preſerue health: Euē ſo Varietie of Treatiſes, vponupon one and the ſelf-ſame thing, doth hinder the growth and profiting of diuers, in ſoundneſſe of iudgement, and godly life.
Vice.
1 AS into the Well or bowe Nette, is an eaſie way or entring, but the way & going out, is altogether hard & vneaſie: So is the entrie into Vice, headlong & eaſie; but the returning thence into a better life, is ful of difficultie.
2 As the ſtaining or blot, that of long time in the cloth hath continued, may not be eaſily taken away: So the Vices wherewith we hauehave of a long time bene infected, may not at pleaſure and eaſe be plucked from vsus.
3 As a Strumpet though ſhe be neuer ſo richly dect, and it be with Purple Veluet, yet ſhe ſtinketh the viler, in the ſight of all honeſt Matrones: Euen ſo, there is no Vice more peſtilent, then that that is like Vertue: there is no ſuch Iudas kiſſe, as with an Apoſtles face: there is no ſuch deceiuing Diuel, as like an Angel of light: and there is no ſuch diſſembling Citie as Ieruſalem, for hypocriſie.
4 As the ciuil Magiſtrates puniſh Vice & lighter faults, with ſome penaltie of money, or loſſe of member. So the Church, and the Miniſter eſpecially with the Church, hath to puniſh Vice and faultes, by reprehenſions, and rebukes.
5 As the ciuil Magiſtrate puniſheth great faultes by death: So the Miniſter, with other which hauehave intereſt, hath with the ſword of excommunication, power to kill thoſe which be rebellious, & to cut them from the church, as the other doth from the Common-wealth.
Vſurer.
1 AS it behoueth him that hath fallen into the myre, either to be ſtill, or with ſpeed to riſe; for if he ſhould ſtirre, then he ſhuld therin be the more defiled: So ought he that hath to doo with an Vſurer, either to rid himſelfe from his debt and daunger, or at the leaſt to enter no farther therein.
2 As an earthen boxe, that is cloſe, with a hole in the vpper part, wherein money is put, which money cannot be come by, vnles the boxe be broken: So likewiſe, a man can get no mony out of the Vſurers bagges or coffers, vntil death hath broken the life of the Vſurer.
3 As he that is ſtrooken or ſtung of the little Serpent, called Aſpis, falleth into a pleaſant ſleepe, and ſo by the ſweetneſſe of that dead ſleepe, dieth; For then the venemous poyſon diſpearſeth it ſelfe into eueryevery member: So he that borroweth vponupon Vſurie, thinketh for a time that it is pleaſant and profitable vntounto him, and that he hath receiued a great good turne; but in the end, this Vſury runneth through all his riches, and conuerteth al that he hath into debt. Exod. 22.25. Leuit. 25.36. Deut. 23.19. Nehe. 5.1. &c. Pſal. 15.5.
4 As the Lawe of Diuorce, which was giuen by Moſes, did not excuſe the Iewe before God, which vſed it, but that he was guiltie of the breach of wedlock: Euen ſo the ſtatute for Vſury, dooth not ſo make it lawfull, that the Chriſtian which vſeth it to the hurt of his neighbour, is cleare or guiltleſſe thereof, before the Maieſtie of God. Deut. 24.1. to 5. Math. 19.7, 8. Mal. 2.16. Mar. 10.4, 5.
5 Like as the Maſſing Prieſts, who were wont to offer ſometimes an halfe-penny themſelues, to moue the people by their example to offer alſo; and by that meanes, for one halfe-penny, they got twentie: Euen ſo doth the Vſurer, he giueth ſometime a litle Vſurie, to get thereby a greater.
6 As the Raine falling vponupon the Flint, neither breaketh it ſelfe, or cauſeth it to grow bigger: Euen ſo the pleaſant deaw of Gods word, ſweetly dropping downe vponupon the hard hearted Vſurer, can neither make him ceaſe and ſin leſſe, nor yet grow in goodneſſe.
7 As the Sea is neuer filled with water, though all the ſtormes of the world runne into it: Euen ſo the greedineſſe of an Vſurer is neuer ſatisfied, though he gain neuer ſo vnreaſonably. Pſal. 95.5.
8 As no man ſtandeth for Nonſidencie, but he which is a Nonreſident, or he which would be a Nonreſident: So likewiſe no man ſtandeth for Vſurie, but he which is an Vſurer, or he which would be an Vſurer.
9 As the Iuie loueth the Oke to grow vp by it: So the Vſurer loueth the borrower to growe rich by him. The Iuie claſpeth the Oke like a louet, but it claſpeth out al the iuyce and ſap, that the Oke, cannot thriue after: So the Vſurer lendeth like a friend, but hee couenanteth like an enemie, for hee claſpeth the borrower with ſuch bands, that euer after hee decayeth and diminiſheth, as faſt as the Vſurer encreaſeth.
10 As a very bitter and pinching blacke Froſt, dooth kill and deſtroy, the tender, ſweete, pleaſant, and beautifull bloſſomes: Euen ſo the Vſurer likewiſe, many times by his extreame Vſurie, dooth kill men, women, and children.
11 As a poore ſiely ſheep, hath ſuccour and ſhelter vnderunder a Thorne buſh, in ſome ſtorme or tempeſt a little while, but when ſhee departeth from the buſh, it keepeth backe a peece of her fleece, and the oftner ſhee goeth, the barer and nakedder ſhe is; ſo that at the length, ſhe is able to abide neither buſh nor ſtorme: Euen ſo ſuch a buſh of Thornes is the Vſurer to the poore borrower, hee will leaue him at the length no fleece on his backe; hee will leaue him no houſe ouer his head, vnleſſe it bee ſome priſon houſe to die in; no bed to reſt vppon, no fleſh on his bones, nor no credite in the world.
11 As the Thorne buſh, that pincheth and pulleth the poore ſheepe, neuer thriueth, nor proueth any good timber, but ſerueth only for the fire: So the Vſurer ſerueth for nothing but Hel, and howſoeuer he thriueth here, he ſhal be pinched there.
13 As hee that cutteth downe a Tree by the rootes, dooth with all cut downe the boughes, twigg…s … braunches alſo: So likewiſe the Vſurer, conſumeth, vtterly vndoeth, and with ſorrow drieth vp the marrow in the bones of parents, to the ſhortning of their dayes, and withall, dooth euen deſtroy their poore ſweete infantes alſo.
14 As the Caterpillers of Egypt, were ſurely tethered, that they harmed no place, but where they themſelues were: But theſe Caterpillers the Vſurers, will ſit at home in their Chaires, like a Boore that is a franking in his Stie, and will conſume a man, one, two, or three hundred miles from them; for they, by their Brokers, doo flie ouer, and view all the lands, lordſhips, manners, parkes, woods, groues, fields, medowes, paſtures, and whatſoeuer, farmes, leaſes, or other commodities, of Noblemen, Lords, Knights, Eſquires, Gentlemen, yeomen, and huſbandmen; and here they gobble vp a whole Towne, and there a goodly Parke; here a Lordſhip or Manner, & there a moſt pleaſant wood.
15 As the Worme Teredo, (whereof Plinie maketh mention in his naturall hiſtorie) which is as ſoft as ſilke, in the feeling of the hand, but biteth ſo hard with the teeth, that it eateth the ſtrongeſt Timber: Euen ſo ſuch a thing is Vſurie, and the Vſurer, ſoft in his words, and faire in his promiſes; but by his deeds he ſtingeth to death, & waſteth the greateſt ſubſtance.
16 As Vultures and Rauens, will picke out the guts of a mans bellie: Euen ſo likewiſe the Vſurer, eateth vp the fruits of other mens labours.
17 Like as fire, which is an actiue and inſatiable Element, for it burneth and conſumeth all the wood that is laid vponupon it: So the Vſurer, the more he hath, the more he deſireth, and like Hell gates he is neuer ſatisfied.
Vngodly man.
AS hee that ſhall euer and anon bee caſting himſelfe into the fire and water, and runne vponupon daungerous places to breake his legges, armes, or necke; and further, ſhall take pleaſure in doing all this, is either a foole or a mad man: Euen ſo is the Vngodly man as oft as hee ſinneth, which endeuoureth as much as in him lieth, to pitch his ſoule into Hell; and whereas hee taketh pleaſure in ſinne, hee ſports himſelfe with his owne deſtruction.
Vnbeleefe.
1 AS an emptie veſſell is capable of water, and yet being cloſely ſtopped, none can enter into it, though it be powred vponupon it in great aboundance: Euen ſo it fareth with our hearts, they are capable of Gods graces, but being ſtopped by Vnbeleefe, no grace of God can enter into them, though daily and plentifully offered.
2 As men that are but ciuill, hauehave care to auoide robbing and killing, becauſe God giues commaundements againſt ſtealing and killing: Euen ſo much more we ought to ſtriue againſt our manifold doubting, diſtruſtings, and Vnbeleefe of Gods louelove in Chriſt, hauing a commaundement of God that calles vppon vsus, and bindes vsus to doo ſo.
Vnthankfulneſſe.
1 AS the Iſraelites were no more thankfull and obedient, when they had peace, and liued in a land that flowed with Milke and Honie, then when they were in the ſolitarie deſart and wilde wilderneſſe: Euen ſo the moſt part with vsus in England, are no more thankefull in this peace of the Goſpell, nor any whit more deſirouſly giuegive themſelues to ſerue and worſhip God aright, then if they ſhould liue in a land fruitleſſe, and deſtitute both of ſpirituall and temporall bleſsings.
2 Like as the ingrate, and vnkind Cuckowe, after that ſhee is nouriſhed and brought vp of the poore hedge Sparrowe, to ſome good perfection of age, in ſo much that ſhee is able to get her owne foode and liuing, is then ſo much forgetfull of the kind louelove of this Sparrow, that (all merciemercy and compaſſion ſet apart) ſhee eateth and deuoureth her vp: Euen ſo ſome children, who hauehave beene with great care and expences, brought vp of their parents, to ſuch good perfection of age, as they might bee able to liue and maintaine themſelues, and alſo be a great comfort to their parents, doo notwithſtanding ſhewe themſelues ſo vnkinde and Vnthankfull to them, that by their obſtinacie and vngracious behauiour, they bring the gray heads of their parents to the graue with ſorrow; as Eſau, and Abſolom. Gene. 27.46. & 28.6. &c. 2. Sam. 15. 1. &c. & 16.11. &c. & 17.1, 2. &c. Gene. 37.17.35. & 42.38.
3 As euerie thing that is weightie and heauie, tendeth and preſſeth downeward, yet notwithſtanding, the clouds that are full of water, and ſwelled with moyſture, doo aſcend vpward, becauſe the Sunne taketh them from the earth, and with his force draweth them vp on high; which being lifted vp in the ayre, are gathered to gether, and thickned, and ſo doo couer and hide the brightneſſe of the Sunne, by whoſe helpe and attraction, they were taken and carried vp; but notwithſtanding their malice, they beeing deſperate and ſcattered abroad, the Sunne they conquerer, and ouercommer of darkneſſe, thruſteth through his beames, breaketh the cloudes, and giueth light with his ſhine: Euen ſo the Iſeralites, when they lay in Egypt a long time in obſcuritie, thraldome, bondage, and ſlauerie, to Pharao, and his people, and were euen nalled as it were, to the earth of all contempt and crueltie, were then taken vp, and ſet in great and high dignitie, by the Sonne of righteouſneſſe; but afterward they went about, to obſcure and extinguiſh the brightneſſe and light of God himſelfe; by whoſe benefit, thay had gotten that honour and dignitie, which they had, and without whom they were nothing but bond-ſlaues of miſerie and wretchedneſſe; but ſeeing they were like foule blacke clouds, they were diſperſed away; & the glorie of Chriſt, againſt their wills, and in ſpite of them, together with the brightneſſe of his name, did breake out, and ſhine abroad, and giuegive light throughout all the world.
4 If a Prince ſhould promiſe a Tayler, or Shoomaker, tenne thouſand crownes for one yeares ſeruice, he would not refuſe it, but beeing thus offered and promiſed vntounto him, he would bee readie to leaue his houſe, his wife, his children, and all other things, to goe to ſeruice to ſuch a Lord, for one yeare: Euen ſo wee may well deſerue to bee accounted vnthankfull and ſenceleſſe, that will not be otherwiſe wonne and induced to ſerue God, who by ſo many, ſo excellent, & ſo aſſured promiſes, doth daily inuite vsus thereto.
Vnthankfulneſſe to God.
LIke as if any man ſhould giuegive vntounto any one of vsus, an annuitie of twentie or fortie pound yearely, during our liues, wee ought to thanke him for it: Or if a friend had redeemed any one of vsus out of priſon, either by his friendſhip, or money (where otherwiſe wee ſhould hauehave laine all our life long) wee would greatly louelove him: Now if the ſame man by his valiantneſſe had ſaued vsus, beeing in great daunger in battell or Shipwracke, we would much reuerence him, & ſay that we were neuer able to mak him amends: Euen ſo it is a verie great ingratitude, ſeeing that our Lord God, hath by his ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, deliuered vsus out of the captiuitie of ſathan, ſin, death, hell, and damnation, ſo by our diſobedience and lewdneſſe of life, to deſpiſe and anger him; and for ſo great kindneſſe, to giuegive him againe ſo great contumelie & deſpite. Iohn. 8.34, 36. Rom. 6.20, 22. Coloſſ. 1.13, 14. Heb. 2.14.15. Act. 10.38. 2. Timo. 2.26.
Vngodly men.
LIke as Children which doo not abſtaine from things forbidden them, ſpecially when they hope that it ſhall be kept ſecret, and that their father or mother ſhall not know of it: Euen ſo vngodly men wrapped in miſchiefe, who when they hauehave offended, and are fallen into ſome ſin, doo not acknowledge their iniquitie, neither can they abide to confeſſe it, although the torment of their conſcience dooth force and compell them to make confeſſion thereof; but they hide the ſame in ſilence, and in holding their peace, they thinke to couer and bury all things in obliuion.
Vices couered with the names of vertues.
AS Achelous who when hee would fight with Hercules, would ſhift himſelfe into a Serpent, would chaunge himſelfe vntounto the likeneſſe of a Diuel; or being a Diuel, he could chaunge himſelfe into what forme and frame he wold: Euen ſo ſome men do couer Vices, with the names of vertues; as the proud man, is ſhifted vntounto a cleane man, a fine man, a handſome man: a couetous man, is changed vntounto a ſubtil prudent man; a warie and a frugall wiſe man: the leacherous man, is called an amorous man, a louing, and a courteous man: the idle man, is named a quiet and harmeleſſe man: the flatterer, is accounted an eloquent perſon, learned and wittie in his talke: drunkenneſſe is chaunged into good fellowſhip; gluttonie, vntounto hoſpitalitie; enuie vntounto good will; and tyrannie vntounto Iuſtice, &c.
Varietie of gifts.
AS one member hath neede of an other, and euerie office of each member, is profitable for the whole body: Euen ſo the Varietie of gifts, diuerſly diſtributed vntounto the Church, are giuen to profit withall, and to edifie the whole body of Chriſt in louelove. 1. Cor. 12.8, 9, 10, 11, 25. Ephe. 4.7.
Vnfaithfulneſſe in time of trouble.
AS a ſliding foote, that layeth his Maiſter in the durt: Euen ſo ſuch is an Vnfaithfull man, in whome a man repoſeth confidence in trouble. Prou. 25.19.
The Vanitie of mens inuentions.
AS when men dreame pleaſant dreames, as ſoone as they awake, there is no ſuch matter: Or as Chaffe, which by reaſon of his lightneſſe, the wind lightly bloweth away: Euen ſo fond deuiſes, triflings, inuentions, doting doctrines, deceitfull traditions, and ſuperſticious Religions, coyned by mans fooliſh, phantaſticall, and phanatical braine, will come to nothing. Iob. 20.8. Pſal. 73.20. Iere. 23.28, 29.
The Vngodly are grieuous to God.
AS a Carte that is laden with ſheaues of Corne in harueſt, is preſſed vnderunder the load: Euen ſo God is preſſed with thoſe, that are giuen ouer to ſinne and wickedneſſe. Amo. 2.13. Eſa. 1.14.
Vertue ſpreadeth her braunches ouer all.
LIke as if a man carrie in his hand, a light burning candle, it giueth not light to him onelyonly that carrieth it, but to all thoſe which be in the houſe, and they alſo ſee it which are without: Or as he that is bathed or perfumed with precious oyntments, or ſweete poulders, hauehave not onelyonly the pleaſure thereof to themſelues, but the ſauour thereof caſteth it ſelf out, and is pleaſant to all thoſe which ſtand by: Euen ſo ſuch as be the children of knowledge, and do carry about them the light of Gods word, they do not only taſte of the comfort therof themſelues, and work comfort to thoſe that appertaine to the Church of God; but lightneth alſo the hearts of Pagans & Infidels, which are abroad. Pſal. 18.28. Math. 5.15, 16. 1. Theſſ. 1.7, 8.
Vnitie.
AS an Oyntment wel compounded of ſweet and odoriferous things, cannot but be acceptable to the ſent of all men: So that Vnitie, which beginneth at Religion, and ſtretcheth to the vttermoſt borders of the Church and Common-wealth, cannot but both pleaſe God, and all good men. Pſal. 133.2.
Vnmercifulneſſe to others.
AS a liberall, good, and bountifull Maiſter to his ſeruants, cannot but be verie angry and much offended, if any of them deale cruelly with their fellowes: Euen ſo much more iuſtly, will God withdrawe his mercy from them that deale vnmercifully with them that liue amōgſt them. Math. 24.45, 46. Math. 18.33, 34, 35.
Vſurie.
1 AS poyſon the weaker it is, the longer nature reſiſteth it; and the ſtronger it is, the ſooner it killeth: Euen ſo Vſurie, the leſſer it is, the leſſe it hurteth; the greater it is, the ſooner it conſumeth.
2 As a Burthen, the heauier it is, the faſter it wearieth; but a light burthen (ſaith the Prouerbe) will prooue heauie with farre carriage: So likewiſe is it with Vſurie, the greater, and the ſmaller, both eate and conſume: but the firſt in the ſhorter, the laſt, in the longer continuance.
3 As there is great difference betweene the biting of a Flea, and the biting of a Dogge, and the biting of a Lyon: yet all are bitings, and the leaſt will draw bloud: So there is difference betweene him that taketh fiue, and him that taketh ten, and him that taketh twentie in the hundred: yet all is biting, and the leaſt will conſume a man in continuance.
4 As a Serpent that ſtingeth priuilie, is litle perceiued or felt at the firſt, but afterwardes, the man that is ſtung ſwelleth, and the effect of that litle ſtinging, is diſpearſed through the whole bodie: Euen ſo the inconuenience of Vſurie, is not felt in the beginning, but in time, it amounteth to a great ſumme, and deuoureth a mans whole ſubſtance.
5 Like as we ſee in theft or robbery, if a man ſteale but twelue pence out of arich mans purſe, though the want of it be litle felt, by reaſon of his ſtore and aboundance, yet he is hindered that looſeth it, and he is a Theefe that taketh: it: Euen ſo is it in Vſurie, though it be taken of a rich man, and in ſo ſmall a meaſure, as that his aboundance, hardly ſuffereth the euill thereof to be perceiued, yet is he bitten, that payeth it, and he that taketh it, an oppreſſour. Exod. 22.25.
How we muſt Vſe the things of this world.
AS a Traueller vſeth his ſtaffe in his iourney, as long as it doth further him, ſo long he will carrie it with him; but when it hindereth him, then he caſts it away: So likewiſe muſt we Vſe the things of this life; namely, as long as they are helpes to further and make vsus fit for the kingdom of heauen; but if they be any hinderance to this ſpirituall gegiment of Chriſt, we muſt renounce them, and caſt them away, bee they neuer ſo precious to vsus. 1. Cor. 7.31.
The beſt but Vnprofitable,
LIke as ſeruants, bee they neuer ſo diligent in executing that which is committed vntounto them, yet cannot iuſtly vaunt themſelues, that they hauehave done any more, then bounden dutie: So all Chriſtians, when they hauehave trauelled as much as in them is poſsible yet they are to confeſſe themſelues, Vnprofitable ſeruaunts. Luk. 17.9.10.
God hath Vengeance in ſtore.
AS in treaſure-houſes or ſtore-houſes, men keepe all manner of things, to ſerue their purpoſes: Euen ſo God keepeth in ſtore, weapons of his wrath, to Reuenge himſelfe vppon the wicked, for the iniurie and violence done to his Church. Iere. 50.26.
Vain-glorious talkers.
1 AS new Wine will burſt the veſſells which it is put in, except they hauehave a vent: So a man deſirous to heare himſelfe, can by no meanes holde his tongue. Iob. 32.19.
2 As a Dogge hauing an arrow ſticking in his legge, will not reſt till hee hauehave it out: Euen ſo no more will a fooliſh pratler reſt, till he hauehave ſpoken all hee knoweth of any thing, or by others, good or bad.
Vngodly men.
1 AS the filthie Swine, regarde not, but thruſt from them Roſes, that are moſt beautifull and ſweete, and ſeeme to contemne moſt fragrant, and pleaſaunt Flowers; and doo rather ſeeke after foule puddles, and ſtinking myre, and forſaking daintie diſhes and coſtly Iuncates, doo franke themſelues moſt greedily, with wilde Maſſe and vncleane things: So Vngodly men, hauehave no taſte of the word of God, but hunting after vncertaine riches, which are in continuall hazard; and at the length, wil deceiue them; they (are as it were) fettered in the inchaunting pleaſures, and peſtilent flickerings of the world.
2 As Pilates ſouldiers with the wicked Iewes, tooke Chriſt and ſtripped him off his garments, buffetted him, and ſlew him: So likewiſe do Vngodly men by their wicked behauiour, ſtrippe him of all honour, and ſlay him againe.
Vaine-glorious men.
1 AS Organe players, vnleſſe ſome bodie blowe vntounto them, the windie bellowes do make no ſound at all: Euen ſo Vaine-glorious men, vnleſſe they be pricked forward, with commendations and praiſes of others, hauehave neuer any minde or purpoſe, to bende themſelues to any good action.
2 As the lighter Ballance, or ende of the beame, will preaſe vpward, and euer be higheſt: So the Vainer, more vnprofitable and vniuſter, that a man is, the more will he vaunt, and extoll himſelfe: and being a very impious, vngodly, and moſt wicked man, will arrogantly aſſume vntounto himſelfe righteouſneſſe, & moſt impudently chalenge the name of a good and honeſt man, when indeed, he ſetteth more by one penny of money, then by ten poundes worth of honeſtie: and dooth louelove more ten poundes of money, then he doth the health, wealth, credite, libertie, life, yea and more then the ſoule of his neighbour, and Chriſtian brother.
3 Euen as an Archer dooth ſhoote nearer, and ſooner hit a faire great marke, then a litle one: So the Diuel doth eaſily hit with his arrowes, and ſtrike with his dartes, the Vain-glorious man, and proud men of the world, but the humble and lowly, he miſſeth, with all the ſleights & cunning he hath.
We ought to Viſit them that be in miſerie.
1 AS Beggers when they wold hauehave men to pitie them, laie open their ſoares, becauſe that though things be neuer ſo great in themſelues, yet till they bee ſeene, we will hardly beleeue them (and therefore we do the poore much wrong many times) in iudging their eſtate to be better then it is: Euen ſo thereby is ſhewed what is the nature of all, that if we will ſhewe mercy to others, ſo cheerfully as we ſhould, we muſt Viſit them in their neceſſitie, and not turne our eyes away from beholding their need. Luk. 10.30. &c. &c. Math. 25.40. Iam. 1.27.
2 As the Queene of Saba came among others, to make triall of the wiſedome of Salomon, which was ſo great, which when ſhe had done, and had ſeene, and heard all things, ſhe was greatly aſtonied; and ſaid vntounto the King, it was a true word, which I had heard in mine owne lande, of thy ſayings, and of thy wiſedome; howbeit, I beleeued not this report, till I came and had ſeene it with my eyes; but loe the one halfe was not tolde; for thou haſt more wiſedome, and proſperitie, then I hauehave heard by report, &c. Euen ſo may it bee ſaide of the condition of our brethren, that though we heare much, yet we ſhall not know the tenth part of their pouertie and miſerie, except wee will goe and ſee it; and therefore cannot bee ſo moued to pitie them, as the Lord would hauehave vsus. 2. Chro. 10.5, 6.
3 Euen as Abraham (when hee would prouoke himſelfe to great humiliation, as ſuch a chaſtiſement did require) hee wept in the ſight of the dead corpes, that the beholding of it, might mooue him the rather: So likewiſe, if wee would looke into the neceſſitie and calamitie of our brethren, and ſet it before our eyes, we ſhould be more plentifull in well doing, then we are; and bee more readie to weepe with them that weepe, and to be like minded one towards an other. Rom. 12.25, 26.
Vertuous and godly men.
1 LIke as the Margarites, thoſe little white ſhining precious ſtones, which doo grow within ſhell fiſhes in the Sea, in this point are very marueilous and wonderfull; that though they bee bred and encreaſed in the Sea, yet hauehave they no ſimilitude and likeneſſe with the Sea; for the Sea is blew or skie coloured; but the Margarites are white; the Sea is horrible, and full of diſcomfiture, but they are cheareful, pleaſant and beautifull to behold; they mooue much, greatly delight, and allure mightily mens eyes to looke vponupon them; the Sea is bitter, but they are amiable, and without all bitterneſſe; but rather in ſome ſort and meaſure, by reaſon of their clearneſſe & brightneſſe, they repreſent the skie; the reaſon is, becauſe they receiue influence from thence: Euen ſo, ſuch Vertuous & godly men, who are ſurely grounded, and certainely ſetled, in the louelove of God, and true Chriſtian Religion, who being borne & brought vp in this world, hauehave no reſemblance, likeneſſe, nor faſhion of the ſame; in deſire they be drawen; in will they be ſeuered; in words they differ; in workes they vtterly diſagree from it; and they doo rather reſemble in ſome meaſure, heauen, from whence they receiue the influence of the grace and fauour of God.
2 Euen as that precious ſtone called a Carbuncle, dooth not in darkneſſe looſe his ſhine and excellent beautie: So likewiſe, a Vertuous and godly man, in the extreame darkneſſe of infinite calamities, obloquies, curſings, raylings, backbitings, ſlaunders, and whatſoeuer, doth ſhew his Chriſtian patience, and quiet ſufferings; for he knoweth well, that ſuch things doo profit much, to aduance the praiſe of time and noble vertues.
3 As moſt pleaſant perfumes, do euen then, when they be in the fire, giuegive out a moſt excellent Odour, and their ſweeteſt ſauour: Euen ſo, a Vertuous and godly man, when he is thruſt into the midſt of the hote ſcorching fire of calamitie and miſerie, doth then ſhew moſt his vertue, faith, religion, patience, and conſtancie.
4 As the fuller and heauier Scale, is euer loweſt: So the more Vertuous, honeſt and godly, that any man is, the more will hee ſubmit and humble himſelfe; and howſoeuer other men, will ſeeme to praiſe him, he neuertheleſſe, dooth ſtill acknowledge his owne imperfection. And indeed it is in a chriſtian man, ſome perfection, to know, and to acknowledge, his want and imperfection.
Vnion with Christ in the ſupper.
1 AS the Vnion betweene Chriſt and vsus in Baptiſme, is ſpirituall, and requireth no reall and corporall preſence: So likewiſe our Vnion with Chriſt in his holy ſupper, is ſpirituall; and therefore requireth no reall nor corporall preſence.
2 Euen as if one take molten Waxe, and powre it to other Waxe, and ſo worke the whole together, they will be ſo vnited and mixed, that they cannot bee ſeperated: likewiſe muſt it needes be, that who ſo receiues the fleſhe and bloud of the Lord, hee is in ſuch ſort ioyned to him, that Chriſt is found in him, and he in Chriſt.
3 Like as if it be a thing to be maruelled at, how we be members one of an other; and man and wife may bee all one fleſh: Euen ſo much more wonderfull, is this nigh coupling together of Chriſt and vsus; which dooth moſt truely and certainly, not vnfainedly, colourable, or phantaſtically, happen vntounto ſuch, as doo faithfully eate the Lords ſupper.
4 As by a certaine order of the heauenly diſpenſation, firſt the ſigne is receiued, and then in the ſigne, and by the ſigne, the thing ſignified: Euen ſo muſt we firſt be Vnited to the viſible fleſh of Chriſt, and by that afterward to his Godhead, if we will be made partakers of grace. Iohn. 6.53, 54, 55.
5 Euen as the Bread is really and truly vnited vntounto vsus, eating the ſame: So alſo is the fleſh of Chriſt, truly and in verie deed, Vnited vntounto vsus, who eate the ſame.
6 As by one and the ſame ſoule, all the members of the body are Vnited with the head and quickned: So likewiſe all the faithfull, although they bee vponupon earth, and the head is in heauen, yet they are in very deede by one & the ſame ſpirit, Vnited with him; and being vnited, doo abide and liue in him. 1. Ioh. 4.13. Rom. 8.9.
The fruit of Vngodlineſſe.
LIke as in husbandrie, a man muſt not looke or thinke of one ſeede to receiue an other; as of Barly to reape Wheate; or for Peaſe to receiue Rie: So likewiſe in this life, a man muſt not hope or look to reape of his Vngodly life, heauen; the reward of a life lead in the feare of God.
The Vntractableneſſe of ſome people.
1 AS a wilde Horſe, if he cannot by kicking and rearing, caſt his rider, watcheth the time till his raine be ſlacked, and getting the Bit betweene his teeth, ſetteth his tayle an ende, and runneth his rider againſt the trees and walles, and through hedges, to ſpoyle him if it be poſſible; and when he is downe, giueth him a farwell with his heeles: Or as the Mule is a beaſt well enough knowne to bee froward and vnruly, ſo that if his keeper watch him not the better, hee will take him vp in his teeth, and lay him before him in the Maunger: Euen ſo there is nothing ſo brutiſh, as is the Vngratfulneſſe, frowardneſſe, & waywardneſſe, of ſome Pariſhioners, in reiecting the doctrine, and gouernement, which God hath appointed for their ſoules; whereof, although there be many Iudges, yet none can tell what a troubleſome worke this is, as the faithfull Miniſters of the Goſpel, who are driuen to mannage ſuch ruſtie and vntamed iades, as are many among the multitude; for what with yerking out the heeles, ryſing vppon the hinder legs, going ſide-long, and other froward touches of ſuch vnbroken Coltes, the poore Miniſter, if hee be on their backes, can hardly keepe the Saddle; and if he leade them in his hand, one froward iade or other in the Pariſh, taketh him vp by the coller, and throwes him out of the way; ſo that though the Miniſter be neuer ſo honeſt and godly, and hauehave many good friends, yet if he be carefull to doo his dutie, he ſhall hardly ſtand without ſuſpention or depriuation, or ſome ſuch like foyle; which would neuer come to paſſe for the moſt part, if it were not for the horſes, and Mules in his owne Pariſh. Pſal. 32.9.
2 As Horſes get nothing by their furiouſneſſe & madneſſe, but the ſore Bit and Bridle: Euen ſo the Vntractableneſſe and waywardneſſe, of obſtinate and ſtubburne perſons, getteth not any thing, by oppugning and withſtanding the Goſpell, and gaineſaying the truth of Gods word; for they wreſtle againſt God, and ſo make themſelues rediculous.
Vnprofitable things, may be profitable.
AS the Bees gathereth moſt ſweete Honie, out of the withered Tyme, and out of other hearbes of more vnpleaſant iuyce: So likewiſe may we alſo, out of the euill and Vnprofitable things, picke out that which may turne to our profit & commoditie; as Shipwrack to Zeno Citius, and baniſhment to Diogenes, gaue them occaſion to ſtudie Phyloſophie.
Vertuous in poore eſtate, and contrariwiſe.
AS a woman, who hauing a Henne that laide her euerie day an Egge; now ſhee ſeeing that her Henne was very leane, and yet laide ſtill after her accuſtomed manner; ſuppoſed that if ſhee were fat and luſtie, ſhee would lay twice a day; and with this conceite of mind, ſhee fed and crammed her throughly, ſo that in ſhort ſpace ſhee became ſo fat, that cleane contrarie to the expectation and opinion of the woman, ſhe left laying altogether: So in like manner, there are many, who in their poore and baſe eſtate, are verie Vertuous; but if they be once mounted and aduaunced, to any degree of felicitie and aboundance, and doo liue eaſily and wealthily, then they giuegive ouer their former ſtudie, and become careleſſe, ſenſuall, and voide of all good works; ſo that they can neither goe nor runne in the way of vertue.