A Treasury of Similes, Part C · Part 21
Church.
1 AS a Ship in the mideſt of the Sea goeth not toward the hauen, vnleſſe it hauehave a proſperous gale of winde: Euen ſo the Church of God goeth not to his wiſhed hauen, to wit, the Kingdome of heauen, vnleſſe it be blowne with the Spirit of God, and directed and ſet on by the ſame ſpirit.
2 As a woman that is barren, yet after a long time childeth: Euen ſo it is with the people of God, though they be neuer ſo fewe, and the Church neuer ſo ſmall, yet God will multiplie and increaſe it.
3 As the flowers of water Betonye, with the leaues and ſprigs, though they die often, and yearely, yet the roote is ay-laſting, from which they come, and to which they belong: ſo though diſcipline, and the outward bewtie of the Church, change and often die, yet the Church is laſting, and of all continuance.
4 As in the blew Lyſimachus, Cowe-wheate, and winter Sauorie, and likewiſe the Affodill, the lower partes and braunches of them begin to flower: So in many Churches and families, the inferior perſons begin to profeſſe God firſt, and ſhewe foorth themſelues by an holy profeſſion.
5 As the hearbe Sophia groweth eſpecially and beſt, where as there hath bene in times haſt any building, now laide waſte: So many cannot grow well and waxe rich inough, without the Church be laid waſte: many growe beſt, where they hauehave pulled downe all: but the Church groweth beſt where Poperie is vtterly defaced and pulled downe.
6 As the flowers of Goates-beard, and Sanſprge do, alwaies bend toward the Sunne: So the Church bendeth alwaies to Chriſt.
7 As by the deſcription of the Facon, and nature of the true Meum, the common vſed is found counterfeit: So by the deſcription of the true Church, the common reputed is found falſe.
8 As the diſeaſes of the body be of two ſorts, ſome cureable, and ſome incureable, which are to death: So the Church, though it be ſubiect to ſundrie falles, cannot erre in foundation to death, for the errors of Gods children be cureable.
9 As where the dead carkaſſe is, thither reſort the Eagles: Euen ſo where are men that truly beleeue in Chriſt, there is the Church.
10 As falſe and counterfeit Coyners who would not hauehave men to know and diſcerne their money by the fineneſſe of Gold and Siluer, and by the touchſtone, but by the waight, by the ſound, by the ſtampe, & by the colour, which they may eaſily falſifie: Euen ſo our aduerſaries the Papiſts would make vsus beleeue, that the true Church cannot be knowne by theſe two markes; to wit, the ſincere preaching of the word, and the adminiſtration of the Sacraments, according to the inſtitution of Chriſt, but rather by certaine outward markes, to wit, by antiquitie, multitude, ſucceſſion of places, and perſons, by miracles, and reuelations, which markes in very deed are common, both to the pure and ſound Church, and alſo to the impure and corrupt Church.
11 Like as if one ſhould tie or faſten to the body of a man, ſome peece of fleſh, bone, or ſinew; were it done neuer ſo cunningly: yet that ſhould not be counted or called any part or member of that body, ſeeing it receiueth neither life nor motion from the ſoule thereof; but doth wholly depend vponupon the cunning and workemanſhip therof: So we confeſſe, that here vponupon earth is a Church, a fellowſhip and communion of Saincts; that is to ſay, the congregation of the faithfull, not gathered together by the will of man, humane reaſon, or worldly inuenſion, but thorow the holy Ghoſt, not tied or limited to any one place, but diſtributed according to Gods good will and pleaſure; to the which Church hypocrites and ſuch like are ioyned and tyed, but not vnited or participating like as members thereof. Mat. 16.17. 1. Cor. 12.3.
12 As a heape of wheate, though it hauehave chaffe in it, is yet called wheate: or as a tunne of Wine, though it hauehave Lees in it, is yet called wine: or as a field wherein tares appeare with the wheate, is a corne field: Euen ſo the viſible Church is the Church, though it conſiſteth of good and bad, and be mixed of the elect and reprobate, yet are they called Gods Church for the elect ſake, and hauehave their denomination from the better, not the bigger part. Math. 25.32. & 3.12. & 13.47. 2. Timo. 2.20.
13 Like as a wife is a wife although ſhee obey not her husband, as long as ſhee keepeth the faith ſhee plight in marriage, and defileth not her ſelfe with an others bedde: Euen ſo is it in the Church, that although ſhee be manifoldly vndutifull towards her husband Chriſt Ieſus, eyther by Atheiſme, or by Idolatrie, yet ſhe remaineth ſtill the wife of Chriſt.
14 As a wife that hath broken her ſaith and promiſe made in Wedlocke, is not forthwith out of the account of a wife, vntill ſhee being conuicted thereof, be for that cauſe diuorced from her husband: Euen ſo the Church, notwithſtanding her ſpirituall adultries, is not vnchurched, nor ceaſeth to be reputed a Church, vntill ſuch time as the Lord by taking away from her the miniſterie of the word, and the adminiſtration of the Sacraments, hath as it were, by bill of diuorſe diſauowed her, by taking away from her all her Iewells and Ornaments wherewith hee bewtified her, when firſt he contracted with her.
15 Like as a Garden or Vine decayeth with our much heate and drought, except after the planting thereof, it be by ſhowers watered: Euen ſo the Church, with ouer much heate of afflictions withereth away, except afterwardes it bee moyſtened by the water of the holy Ghoſt, which is the ſincere preaching of the Goſpell.
16 As there be three formes in one and the ſelfeſame Schoole, and be not all alike taught, and yet make not ſundrie ſchooles, but containe ſundrie ſchollers and learners in one ſelfeſame ſchoole: So likewiſe is the Church not made many, neither by alteration of times, neither by difference of places, nor by chaunges of orders and diſpenſations.
17 As there be in one Schoole diuers Vſhers, & diuers teaching, but yet all tending to one end; to wit, to attaine learning, and ſo to come to the Vniuerſitie: Euen ſo the true Church of Chriſt before the Lawe, and vnderunder the Lawe, and ſince in the time of the Goſpell, hauehave beene diuers inſtructors, as Prophets, Apoſtles, Paſtors and teachers, but yet all ayming at one marke, and labouring to bring the people to the Kingdome of heauen.
18 Like as it is not in the power of any man to diſpenſe, miniſter, or diſtribute any parte of that nouriſhment which hee receiueth in at his mouth, vntounto any member, which either is mortified and dead in his bodie, or that is cut off from the ſame: Euen ſo it is vndoubtedly to be beleeued, that neither the death, paſſion, and bloud-ſhedding of our Sauior Chriſt, nor his Sacraments, nor any of the graces of the holy Ghoſt, nor any good worke in the world, doo or can any thing profit to remiſſion and forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, or ſaluation to any perſon, which is out of the Catholique Church, as long as he ſhall ſo ſtand and continue out of the ſame.
19 Like as if a ſubiect knowing the Letters of his Prince, and alſo his Seale, ſhould, becauſe that hee knoweth them wel, and alloweth them to be his, preſume and take vponupon him to counterfeit his Princes Letters or Seale, he ſhould be no true ſubiect, but a Fellone and a Traytour: Euen ſo if the Church, becauſe that ſhee knoweth the Scriptures of the olde and newe Teſtament, to be the true and infallible word of her Lord and Sauiour, and the Sacraments to be his Seales, ſhould preſume or take vponupon her, to alter Gods word; I meane the ſcriptures that be cōteined in the Canonical bookes of the old & new Teſtament, or to counterfeit the Sacraments; that is to ſay, to miniſter them otherwiſe then her Lord and maiſter hath inſtituted and appointed in his word, ſhe ought not to be called the true Church, but the moſt trayterous harlot of Antichriſt.
20 As it is great folly for a man that hath a mote in his eye, to growe into ſuch a chafe or diſlike with it, that ſo he ſhould bee vnthankfull for his eye: Euen ſo it is much more follie for men to ſeperate themſelues from our Church, and wholely to condemne it, by reaſon that there be ſome imperfections and wants in it, which is a meanes to breede vnthankfulneſſe, by forgetting the manifold bleſſings which wee hauehave receiued, and doo ſtill enioy, which is the readie way to prouoke God rather in his iuſtice, to take away theſe good benefites that we enioy alreadie, then in merciemercy to prouoke him to encreaſe them more.
21 As the glory of God, is ſhewed moſt herein, that he defendeth his ſpouſe, and hath bewtified her with gifts frō aboue, that ſhe might be a pure and vndefiled ſpouſe, chaſte and holy vntounto himſelfe: Euen ſo this is our greateſt glory, of what ſtate or condition ſo euer we be, to be members of this Church, by the Communion whereof, wee are his members.
22 As a man will not wittingly beſtowe a Diamond vponupon him that thinkes it to be but a peece of Glaſſe; or a Pearle of him, that eſteemeth it to be but a graine of ſalte: Euen ſo the Lord will not beſtowe his bleſſings but vponupon thoſe, that by his Spirit ſhall knowe and feele what they are; for if they feele them not, and know not what they are, then they are not yet of Gods houſe or Church. Heb. 3.6.
23 As it is not inough to ſet or ſowe a garden with good hearbes and ſeedes, and then let it alone, but there muſt be a Gardiner to ouerſee it, to dreſſe it, and often to weede it: Euen ſo it is not ſufficient for a Church to hauehave the word planted and ſowen in it, but there muſt be diligent & painfull Preachers & Paſtors continually to water and gouerne it, or elſe it will growe barren and fruitleſſe.
24 Like as if the land be not often tilled, but lie barren, it will bring forth nothing but briars, thiſtles, and nettles: Euen ſo if Churches be not continually laboured by Preaching and Catechiſing, they will waxe ſecure, and ſo bring forth nothing but ignorance, Atheiſme, ſuperſtition, idolatrie, and all wickedneſſe of life.
25 As the armie of heauen is innumerable, and the ſand of the ſea vnmeaſurable: Euen ſo God will multiplie his Church. Iere. 33.22.
26 As the Bride pertaineth to none but to the Bridegroome: So likewiſe the Church pertaineth to Chriſt alone. Hoſe. 2.19. 2. Cor. 11.2. Iohn. 3.29.
27 As euerie true friend to the Bridegroome reioyceth to ſee the Bridegroomes voyce obeyed: Euen ſo eueryevery godly man is glad to ſee eueryevery member of the Church to frame themſelues to the obedience of the word of Chriſt.
28 As a Giant is too ſtrong for meane men of middle ſize, and as his voyce and looke is fearefull to his enemies: So likewiſe will God be to all ſuch as riſe vp againſt him and his Church. Eſa. 42.13.
29 As a waſte grounde broken vp and rid of thoſe things wherewith it was ouergrowne, and the fruitfulneſſe thereof hindered, is by good husbandrie brought to flouriſh and to be fruitful: euen ſo, ſuch is the ſtate of the Church, when after perſecution, it pleaſeth God to ſend peace and proſperitie thereto. Eſay. 33.1, 2.
30 As men hedge their grounds round about to keepe them from being ſpoyled with cattell: Euen ſo GOD dooth fence his Church, and thoſe which feare him round about, that they may be defended againſt all euils.
31 As the groundes, are eaten, waſted, deuoured, and rooted vp, when the hedges and fences thereof are neglected, and ſuffered to lie open: Euen ſo it fareth with the Church, and with them that profeſſe the name of God, when hee is prouoked with their ſinnes, in withdrawing his friendly defence, and fatherly protection from them.
32 As the Shipmaiſters are ſuch as hauehave cunning to guide the ſhip, wherin both themſelues and other men do ſaile: So almightie God, maketh choiſe of ſuch to guide his Church, as can gouern themſelues, and ſo many as are committed to their charge.
33 As that buſh which Moſes ſaw, was burning, but not conſumed: Euen ſo the Church of God muſt be tried in the fire of affliction, but not deſtroyed. Exo. 3.2.
34 As the Moone is ſometimes eclipſed, and ſometimes in the full: So likewiſe the Church of GOD is ſubiect to darkeneſſe, as in the time of Poperie and ſuperſtition.
35 As the Moone dooth borrowe her light of the Sunne, becauſe of her ſelfe ſhe hath litle, or none at all: Euen ſo the Church of God hauing no light of it ſelfe, doth take her light from the Sonne of God Chriſt Ieſus.
36 As iealouſie cannot abide that the wife ſhould ſhew any ſigne of louelove to an other man: Euen ſo Almightie God cannot brooke that the Church his ſpouſe, ſhould take the leaſt part of of his glory from him, and beſtowe it vponupon a ſtrange God, that is both hopeleſſe, and helpleſſe. Exo. 20.4, 5. Deut. 6.13. Math. 4.10.
37 As the Arke was long and broade So the Church and Kingdome of Chriſt is long and large. Pſal. 71.8. Gene. 6.14, 15.
38 As the Arke was great and large, and yet ſmall in compariſon of the floud: Euen ſo the Elect are many (no doubt) but fewe in reſpect of the reprobate. Luk. 12.32. Math. 22.14. & 24.22. & 7.14.
39 As the Arke was made of many peeces of wood, and ioyned together in one: So the Church conſiſteth of many members knit together in one faith: For in Chriſt Ieſus wee are all one, without difference of man or woman.
40 As the Arke was made of incorruptible wood: Euen ſo the Church conſiſteth of immortall ſoules.
41 As the Arke did float in the floud: euen ſo the Church is in this world, as in a ſea of troubles. Act. 14.22.
42 As one Billow in the ſea puſheth forward an other: So likewiſe troubles doo come vponupon the Church by troupes.
43 As the Moone is not alwaies viſible being in hir chāge: So likewiſe the Church of God to the eye of man, is not alwayes in a viſible ſhewe, as the proud Church of Rome is, but hath ſometime war and aduerſitie, ſometime peace and proſperitie.
As a Ship vponupon the ſeas is toſſed with the winde and waues from one place to an other: Euen ſo is the Church often toſſed hither and thither in this ſea of this world, but yet neuer drowned, becauſe Ieſus Chriſt is in it, and holdeth the ſterne with his hand.
44 As the hand cut off from the body, dieth, and lacketh life: Euen ſo it is in the myſticall body of the Church, no life or ſaluatiō without the body of Chriſt. Ezech. 13.9. Ioel. 2.32. Act. 2.47.
45 As trees in winter which for that they are naked, and voyde both of leaues and of fruite, do ſeeme for the time litle to differ from dead and ſtarued trees, and yet hauehave ſecretly hid in them their Iuice, which maketh thē ſpring againe, and as it were reuiue againe in Sommer: Euen ſo ſuch is the ſtate of the Church of God, which though in bitter perſecution, ſeemeth to bee as it were quenched and extinguiſhed, yet when God giueth ſome peace and reſt, it flouriſheth and ſpringeth againe.
46 As a Vine when the fences thereof are broken, lieth open to the waſte, and is ſpoiled of eueryevery beaſt of the field: Euen ſo the Church and people of God, when for their ſinnes hee ſeemeth for a time to withdrawe his protection and defence, is ſubiect to the iniuries and violence of all ſorts of the wicked.
47 As ground and ſoile that hath lyen long waſte, by good husbandrie is rid and often brought to flouriſh with corne or graſſe: Euen ſo the Church of God after long perſecution, is by the power and goodneſſe of God, brought againe to a flouriſhing eſtate.
48 Like as if a man ſhould hauehave both his hands and his armes cut off, his eyes put out, &c: yet as long as his head ſtandeth and other vitall parts, he is to be counted a man, although a maymed man: Euen ſo it is in the Church or aſſemblie, as long as it holdeth the head, how defectiue it is otherwiſe, it hath the due and right of the Church of God.
49 And although a man ſhould hauehave ſix fingers on one hand, and but three on the other, and albeit they ſhould ſtand where the mouth doth, yet all this deformity ſhould not hinder from being truly holden to be a man, although it would be a great deformitie in him: of the other part, if he had no head at all, or there were no naturall cōiunction of the parts one with the other, but a whole through diſplacing of eueryevery part from his proper ſeate, then verily could he not be deemed to hauehave either the proportion of a man, or his life: So likewiſe if an aſſembly hold not the head which is Ieſus Chriſt, or be nothing elſe but a confuſed multitude, without any part of the order which the ſonne of God hath appointed, the ſame is iuſtly croſſed out of the account of Gods Church.
50 As he that entereth into a faire and goodly goldſmithes ſhop, richly furniſhed with precious Pearles, and coſtly Iewels of all ſorts, ought not to miſlike thoſe excellent things, and coſtly treaſures, becauſe hee ſeeth among them, a blacke fornace, duſtie coales, and ſundrie inſtruments of baſe mettall, becauſe theſe inſtruments, coales, and fornace, muſt needs be had to make thoſe Iewels; as Chaines, Earings, and Bracelets of Gold, withall: So in the Church of God, where are innumerable men, ſome famous for their wiſdome, ſome renowned for their godlineſſe, ſome forward & feruent in Chriſtian louelove & charitie: many excelling in all kind of vertues: if a man ſee there ſome vnlearned, ſome deceiuer…, ſome wicked ones, ſome tyrants, and many vngodly ones, he ought not therefore to picke a quarrell againſt the Church of Chriſt, nor yet to thinke of the ruine and deſtruction of the ſame.
51 As the Lawier who hath no further power but to expound the Lawe, is vnderunder the Lawe: So the Church which hath authoritie onelyonly to publiſh and expound the Scriptures, cannot authorize them vntounto vsus, but muſt ſubmit her ſelfe vntounto them.
52 As the Ocean ſea which is but one, is diuided into partes, according to the regions and countries againſt which it lyeth, as into the Engliſh, Spaniſh, Italian ſea, &c: Euen ſo the Church diſpearſed ouer the face of the whole earth, is diuided into other particular Churches, according as the countries are ſeuerall in which it is ſeated; as into the Church of England and Ireland, the Church of France, the Church of Germanie, &c.
53 As the ſuperfluous humors in the vaines are no parts of the body: Euen ſo the vngodly, though they be in the Church, yet indeed they are no parts of it. Math. 13.25.47.
54 As the Carkaſſe of a deade man that weareth a liuing mans garment, is not a liuing man though hee looke neuer ſo like him: Euen ſo the Church of Rome now at this day, is of a ſpouſe of Chriſt, become an harlot, and in very deede is no true Church of Chriſt.
55 As in a familie children are for the moſt part one like an other, and brought vp alike: Euen ſo it is in Gods familie, which is his Church: the members thereof are all alike in heart and affection; and the reaſon is, becauſe they hauehave one ſpirit to guide them all. Act. 4.32. Eſay. 11.6.7.
56 Euen as in the field there groweth vp not onelyonly ſound corne, but alſo tares, cockell and darnell: Or as in the Floore there is not onelyonly pure Wheate, but alſo Chaffe: and as in the Nette, there is not onelyonly good things, but bad, as filth and ſuch like: So in the militant and viſible Church, the field, floore, and Nette of the Lord, there are not onelyonly ſincere and faithfull, but alſo hypocriticall and faithleſſe worſhippers of GOD, not onelyonly conſtant and vpright dooers of the word, but alſo vaine and idle talkers of the ſame: yea not onelyonly ſuch as with good conſciences, pure hearts, and faith vnfained, do ſerue the Lord and his Church, but ſuch alſo as be reprobate to euerie good worke, whoſe ende is to bee caſt eternally from the preſence of God, and to bee burned as chaffe in the fearefull furnace of Gods wrath, and euerlaſting indignation.
57 As the appetite of a woman ought to be to her huſband: ſo the appetite of the Church, ought to be to Chriſt. Cant. 5.7.
58 As the woman bringeth forth her children in ſorow and paine: Euen ſo the Church bringeth forth in griefe of member, and loſſe of limmes.
59 As a woman muſt be obedient to the voyce of her husband, and learne of her husband at home: euen ſo the Church that is good, muſt be ruled by Chriſt, and not rule Chriſt; Chriſtes ſcholler, and not Chriſts ſchoolemaiſter.
60 Euen as Iohn that bare witneſſe of Chriſt, did confeſſe that he was not worthy to looſe Chriſtes ſhoo-latchet: Euen ſo the Church, though it beare witneſſe of Chriſt in reſpect of credit and authoritie, is not worthy to looſe Chriſtes ſhoo-latchet.
61 Like as when Chriſt put forth himſelfe and began to be knowne to the people: Iohn ſaid: It behoueth me to wax leſſe, and him to wax greater: So when the Church hath giuen a man to vnderſtand of Chriſt, and that Chriſt beginneth to appeare vntounto vsus, the Church decreaſeth in authoritie and eſtimation like Iohn, and Chriſt encreaſeth and waxeth greater in authoritie and credit.
62 As the light of the Sun auaileth not him that lieth in a darke and cloſe dungeon, where is alwayes night and neuer day: Euen ſo the graces of God doo nothing helpe thoſe that lie in darkneſſe, and ſhadowe of death, vntill they hauehave acceſſe into the Church of Chriſt, and ſo to be of the number of the faithfull. Ephe. 2.19. Rom. 5.10.
63 As a builder or chiefe maiſter of any workes doth not offend in building, but becauſe it hapneth ſometimes, that being occupied with other thoughts and fantaſies not pertaining to the building, he doth ſometimes ſlide and faile in his worke: Euen ſo it cannot be gathered by the force of the promiſe made to the Church, that all things alwayes are rightly defined in the Church, for the greater part ouercommeth the leſſer, and the worſt the better.
64 Like as when Hester had procured ſafetie for the Iewes, and libertie to reuenge themſelues vponupon their enemies: it is ſaid, that many of the people of the Land became Iewes: Hest. 8.17. Euen ſo, conſidering Chriſt hath procured freedome from hell, death and damnation for all that beleeue in him, we ſhould labour aboue all things to become new creatures, ioyning our ſelues alwayes to the true Church of God.
65 As the body is blinde that wanteth eyes to ſee withall, and lame, maymed or deformed, whereof the ſhoulders, armes, hands, or other principall parts are wanting or diſplaced and diſordered: So in like maner, that body of a Church cannot be ſaid to be perfect and entire, wherein there are not Miniſters of the word, who by the light thereof may direct the people in the wayes of God, or Elders that may diſcouer and deſcrie eueryevery matter that may threaten any daunger to the body; or Deacons, who may diſtribute liberally according to that that is in their hands, for the reliefe of the poore.
66 As Chriſt himſelfe when he was rayled vponupon, gaue no euill words againe: Euen ſo the true Church of Chriſt is knowne in this, that it ſuffereth perſecution, and doth not perſecute againe.
67 As wiſe King Salomon iudged her to be the true mother of the child, which had ſuch compaſſion on it, that ſhe had rather forgo the whole, then hauehave it diuided and diſmembred, and the other to be the harlot, that had ouerlaine her childe, which had alſo conſented to the death of the other childe: Euen ſo in like maner we may diſcerne euidently the Romiſh Church of Antichriſt by her bloodie perſecutions, from the true Church and ſpouſe of Chriſt; the one with ſworde and fire, ſeeketh alwaies to quench the truth; the other through the ſpirit of lenitie, to win men to the ſame: the one by compulſion & violent oppreſſion, the other by perſwaſion, & meeke interceſſiō: the one by the ſword, the other by the word: the one goeth about to peruert and depraue, the other ſeeketh all meanes to conuert and ſaue.
68 As a King is ſtabliſhed in his Kingdome, when his godly Lawes are taught and kept, and that Realme is ſtrongly builded and bleſſed of God, where good order is mainteined: So is Gods Church and congregation well and ſurely builded, where Gods word and Religion is purely taught, ſinne puniſhed, and vertue embraced.
69 Like as whatſoeuer is in the body receiuing no life nor power from the body, is not properly a part of the body, howſoeuer it ſeeme to be ioyned to the body: So the wicked, although they be in the outward face of the Church, yet becauſe they are not partakers of the ſpiritual life thereof by Chriſt, are not truly to be iudged members of it.
70 As in eueryevery well ordered Kingdome, the whole Realme ſhould be of more authoritie then the King: So the Church ought to be of more authority then the Pope, though he were Prince thereof.
71 As the Arke was carried from place to place, and neuer reſted in one certaine place: So likewiſe the millitant Church here on earth, hath no certaine place, but is poſted from piller to poſt. Ioſu. 3.14.17. 1. Sam. 4.3.4. &c.
72 As in the body of a man there is a full furniture of all members needfull to the diſcharge of their ſeuerall duties, which are knowne both how many they are, and what they are: Euen ſo likewiſe is it in the Church.
73 As the want of a member, as one eye, or a hand, breedeth griefe: So in like maner the want of a member in the Church, as a faithfull Miniſter, which is the eye, or of a Deacon, which is the hand, muſt needes be greeuous.
74 As the diſorder of a member in the body, as to hauehave an eye where a noſe ſhould be, or a foot for the hand, &c. cauſeth both horror and griefe: So the like diſorder in the Church of God, muſt needes be horrible and greeuous.
75 Like as in the body of man, eueryevery member hath his ſeuerall function to diſcharge, & no one member can diſcharge the dutie of an other: So alſo it ought to be in the Church of God.
76 As all the ſeuerall members in the body of man are knit together and vnited to the head: So all the ſeuerall members of the Church, are knit and vnited vntounto the head Chriſt.
77 As in the naturall body, eueryevery ſeuerall member, is as it were the member of eueryevery other, in ſeruing to their good; as the eye will ſee, the hand wil take, the mouth will ſpeake, all for the good of any weake member: Euen ſo it is in the Church of God.
78 As the naturall members take ſpirit and ſenſe from the head: So the Church hath all her ſpirituall feeling and life of Chriſt, who is able to quicken and giuegive life.
79 As the husband that loueth his wife, thinketh himſelfe not well, till ſhe hath his company, and he her preſence: So God loueth the Church his ſpouſe, that hee cannot abide to be without her company, and thinkes her not ſafe, except ſhe be in his preſence; therefore it pleaſeth the Lord Ieſus, not onelyonly to call himſelfe the head of his Church, and the Church his body, but alſo to tearme his Church the fulneſſe of himſelf, although he filleth all in all things, as though he were imperfect without his Church. Pſal. 41.12. Ephe. 1.23.
80 Euen as the father or mother will hauehave that Infant in their ſight, which they louelove moſt dearely: So God will hauehave his Church in his ſight, which he loueth-moſt tenderly. Eſay. 45.15.16.