A Treasury of Similes, Part C · Part 105 – Part 144
Calling.
1 LIkewiſe a ſword being committed into the hands of a Souldier, by the Captaine generall, hee is not to ſmite before he bee commaunded to fight, and before the Trumpet bee ſounded to battell: Euen ſo, though a man hauehave excellents giuen him, yet hee is not to execute any function, eſpecially publikely, before hee receiue a particular warrant and Calling from God. Reue. 16.1.
2 As Sampſon though he had ſtrength giuen him, that he was able to hauehave defended the Iſraelites, and reuenged them of their enemies, yet hee could not take vponupon him the gouernment of the people, vntill ſuch time that the Lord had called him vntounto it: So likewiſe the Miniſters of the word, albeit they hauehave neuer ſo notable gifts of knowledge, vtterance, &c. yet they are not in any caſe to entrude themſelues into the Miniſterie, vnleſſe they hauehave a particular Calling from the Lord.
3 As the Ostrige hath wings and flieth not: So ſome men hauehave a Calling, but they anſwere it not: they hauehave knowledge, but they practiſe it not: they hauehave words, but they worke not.
4 Like as if a ſtraunger ſhould violently thruſt in himſelfe to bee the ſhepheard of thy ſheepe, thou wouldeſt aske him who ſent for him, what hee hadde to doo there, and thou wouldeſt rather thinke him to bee a theefe, and a murtherer of thy ſheepe, then to bee a faithfull and truſtie ſeruant: So ſurely if thou come to take charge of Gods people, before he inwardly moue thy conſcience to pitie his people, and outwardly by order, call and place thee where hee thinkes good, hee will iudge thee a theefe, a woolfe, a deuourer, and not a feeder.
Beautie.
AS a Ring or Iewell of Gold is very vnſeemely, and dooth not become the filthy ſnoute of a ſwine, that is alwayes rooting in the dyrt and myer: So vncomely is Beautie to a woman that hath not wit nor diſcretion to behaue her ſelfe.
Benefites.
AS the Moone doth ſhew her light in the world, which ſhe receiueth from the Sunne, ſo we ought to beſtow the Benefits receiued of God, to the profit and commoditie of our neighbour.
The Authoritie of the Church, not aboue the word of God.
1 LIke as it is not reaſon nor iuſt, that a Wife ſhould controll, or be ſuperiour and aboue her Husbands word and commaundement, hauing a wiſe and diſcreete Husband to gouerne and commaund her: So likewiſe it is no reaſon or right (whatſoeuer the Papiſts ſay) that the Authoritie of the Church, which is the Wife, ſhould be greater and of more force, then the word and will of the Husband Chriſt Ieſus. Ephe. 5.24.
2 As man is not aboue God, nor the Wife aboue the Husband; for otherwiſe to ſay, the one is blaſphemie, and the other abſurd: Euen ſo it is blaſphemie and abſurd, to ſay that the Authoritie of the Church, is greater then the word and Scriptures of God.
Wiſe Counſell of a friend.
AS the ſent and ſauour of a ſweete Oyntment or Perfume, is comfortable to the braines and heart: So is the wiſe and heartie Counſell of a mans aſſured friend. Pro. 27.9.
Cities and Countries.
AS a Pot of meate ſeething on the fire, which no body skimmeth, muſt needs be full of loathſome filth: So Cities and Countries continuing in bloudie violence, without repentance, and amendment, muſt needs be …oathſome and abhominable in the eyes of God. Ezech. 24.6.
Men muſt be fitted to their Callings, and the Callings to the men.
LIke as a member of a mans body out of ioynt, is daungerous, and hindereth his health and welfare: So in like maner, the ſetting of Children to Callings vnfitting their gifts and affections, is daungerous and hurtfull, both to the Church and Common-wealth.
Distinction of Callings.
LIke as the members in a mans body, although they liue by one life, and one ſoule, are notwithſtanding diſtinct and diuerſe one from an other in functions; as the foote ſeeth not, but the eye; the eare heareth, and not the hand, &c. Euen ſo alſo the members of Chriſt, howſoeuer they liue all by one and the ſame faith, are notwithſtanding in their particular functions and Callings, one to be diſtinguiſhed from an other.
Gods Creatures admirable.
AS when men behold any curious worke of a cunning and skilfull Craftſman, ſtraightway they will leaue the worke, and enquire after him that made it, that they may praiſe his skill: Euen ſo it is the dutie of Chriſtians in this caſe, when they come abroad, and behold euerie where in all the Creatures, the admirable and vnſpeakeable wiſedome, goodneſſe, and power of God, then they muſt make haſte from the Creature, and go forward to the Creator, to praiſe and glorifie him. Reue. 4.11.
Chriſt our Lord.
1 AS in former times the cuſtome hath bee… that when one is taken priſoner in the fieldes hee that payes his raunſome ſhall become alwayes after, his Lord: Euen ſo likewiſe Chriſt, when we were bondſlaues vnderunder hell, death, and condemnation, paid the ranſome of our redemption, and freed vsus from the bondage of ſinne and Sathan, and therefore in that reſpect he is our Lord.
Chriſt tooke vponupon him our infirmities.
LIke as if a man be ſicke of ſome grieuous diſeaſe, and if a friend come vntounto him that hath beene troubled with the ſame diſeaſe, hee will ſhewe more compaſſion then twentie others: Euen ſo Chriſt hauing felt in his owne ſoule and body, the anguiſh, and the manifolde perplexities that wee feele in our temptations and afflictions, hath his bowels as it were a running towards vsus, euermore beeing preſt and readie to relieue vsus in all our miſeries. Heb. 2.17. & 4.15. Eſay. 53.3.4.
Chriſtes humane nature.
AS the Plant called Miſtell, hauing no roote of his owne, both growes and liues in the ſtocke or body of the Oake, or ſome other Tree: So our Sauiour Chriſtes humane nature, hauing no proper ſubſtance, is as it were ingrafted into the perſon of himſelfe, and …s wholely ſupported and ſuſtained by it, ſo as it ſhould not bee at all, if it were not ſuſtained in that manner.
Contempt of the Miniſter.
AS Husbandmen that miſvſe their Land-lord and his ſeruants, which hee ſendeth to them for the rents and profites of his lande, are woorthily and iuſtly thruſt out, and others planted in their roomes: So likewiſe were the Iewes cut off from being the people and Church of God, for miſvſing of Chriſt, his Apoſtles, and Prophets: and ſo aſſuredly ſhall all they be, that deſpiſe and ſet naught by, and cruelly miſvſe and intreat the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and the Preachers of his word, which are ſent vntounto them.
A fruitleſſe Confeſsion.
AS it is booteleſſe for a man that is very hungrie, to know and beleeue there is meate in the world, except he knew the place, and the man that had it for him, that he might reſort vntounto him: Or as it is in vaine for one to confeſſe his diſeaſe and ſickneſſe, vnleſſe he know ſome good and skilfull Phiſition who might helpe him: So likewiſe it ſhall profit vsus nothing at all to know or confeſſe our ſinnes, if wee bee ignorant of the Mediator that ſhould take them away. Iohn. 1.29. 1. Timo. 2.5. Math. 11.28.
Chriſt the ſoueraine ſalue for our ſoules.
1 LIke as if the ſicke perſon ſhould ſeeke out ſuch a Phiſition, as either could not, or wold not cure him, his labour alſo were vnprofitable, and all one, as if the needie man ſhould go to one for an almes, that were as needie as himſelfe: Euen ſo wee being ſicke of our ſinnes in our ſoules, muſt be carefull that we go and run to ſuch a cunning Phiſition, as we are ſure both can and will for his abilitie and compaſſion, cure and heale our infirmities, and hath a ſalue for euerie ſore and maladie. Luk. 3….46, 47. Act. 10.43.
2 As it was in Egipt, in the great dearth and famine of corne, none could hauehave any foode of Pharao the King but by the hands of Ioſeph, whom he had made Ouerſe… and Ruler of the land in his name (for when they cried to him for bread, he ſaid: Go ye to Ioſeph, and what he ſaith to yo… doo ye. Gene. 41.55.) So likewiſe it is now in the famine and dearth of our ſoules for ſpirituall foode, wee can hauehave nothing to feede our hungrie ſoules from the King of Heauen, but by the meanes of the true Ioſeph, which is Ieſus Chriſt, who is ordained of his Father to rule and gouerne all things in his name; ſo that he ſendeth vsus to his ſonne when wee aske any thing of him, for in him hee is well pleaſed, and for his ſake onelyonly, and for no mans elſe, doth he beſtowe this benefite vponupon vsus. 1. Iohn. 5.11.12. Iohn. 8.24.
Chriſt.
1 LIke as our armes, hands, feete, and the reſt of our members are nouriſhed, not of and by themſelues, but of and by the meate that is conueyed into our mouth and head: Euen ſo wee are nouriſhed, not of and by our ſelues, but by the vertue that is powred in the head of Chriſt Ieſus. Heb. 2.11. Ast. 17.28.
2 Like as the Sun with his light beneficially comfor…eth all the world: So Chriſt the Sonne of God, reacheth his benefites vntounto all men, ſo that they will receiue them thankfully, and not refuſe them diſobediently. Pſal. 19, 1.2.
3 As the Sun is the well-ſpring of liuely power: So Chriſt giueth life euerlaſting to all beleeuers.
4 As the Sun with his brightnes driueth away cloudes and foggie Myſtes: So Chriſt the ſonne of God ſitting at the right hand of his Father, is the conquerer of Tyrants and Hereticks.
5 As the Sun in winter when he is moſt fartheſt off from the Pole, is moſt neareſt the earth: ſo the ſonne of God is moſt neare vntounto the godly ones in miſerie, and giueth …hem helpe and ſaluation.
6 As it is a moſt certain token of death to a ſick man, (as Hypocrates ſaith) if hee dreame that the viſible Sunne is hidden, obſcured, and darkned: ſo likewiſe a moſt cer…aine death of the ſoule is nigh at hand, if our Sonne Chriſt be darkned by aboliſhing or corrupting of the true doctrine.
7 As the ſunne giues light plentifully to the whole world, and yet keepe the ſelfe ſame light within it ſelfe: Euen ſo our Sauiour Chriſt God and man, hath the perfect fulneſſe of all goodneſſe in him ſelfe, and yet giues part to vsus, as he thinks good, not looſing any peece of that he hath himſelfe, but lightning our darkneſſe with that light which he hath within himſelfe. 1. Cor. 1.30.
8 As the fountaine from which all men doo draw water, and from which the ſmall creekes and armes doo runne and flowe, is ſaid to hauehave water of it ſelfe, and yet commeth not as of it ſelfe, but from the ſpring which dayly feedeth it, and from the flowing ſtreames, and is ſufficient for all men to drawe out off: Euen ſo Ieſus Chriſt hath life in himſelfe, to wit, the fulneſſe of life wherewith he liueth, and quickneth his, and yet hath hee it not as of himſelfe, as he witneſſeth in an other place, that hee liueth becauſe of his father. Iam. 5.26.
Carnall profeſsion.
LIke as all thoſe that were borne of Abraham, were not the children of Abraham: So likewiſe all that profeſſe the Goſpell, are not partakers of the Goſpell.
2 As it is not vſuall to curbe in the horſe in his race, but before hee beginne to runne: Euen ſo, thoſe which bee by nature cholericke & melancholike, are by reaſons and perſwaſions to be wonne and reſtrained, before they begin to be angrie.
Contempt of Chriſt.
AS a ſtrumpet loueth the tokens that her louer ſendeth her, better then her louer himſelfe, and in time of pouertie ſhee will vtterly forſake him: So Chriſt is our louer, and mans ſoule is ſhee whome he loueth, hee hath giuen vsus tokens as pledges of his louelove; to wit, all kind of riches and good things whatſoeuer wee poſſeſſe in this this world: now if for louelove of keeping theſe things in time of perſecution, we forſake our louer, wee be abominable ſtrumpets, vnworthie to be beloued of him.
Chriſt ſuffered in his ſoule for our ſaluation.
1 AS the Holocauſt, or whole burnt offering, the whole and euerie whit beeing chopt and cut into peeces, was altogether put into the fire, and burnt: and ſo it was by a ſpeciall name called the Whole burnt offering: Euen ſo, not the body onelyonly, but alſo the ſoule of Chriſt, euen euerie whit of his humanitie, was burnt and conſumed in the fire of affliction, as a perfect Holocauſt, and a whole burnt offering for our ſinnes. Leuit. 16.5. &c. Eſay. 53.20. 2. Cor. 5.21. Heb. 2.14.
2 As wee hauehave ſinned both in our bodies and ſoules: So likewiſe Chriſt was made our propitiation, who purpoſely and anſwerably did ſuffer both in body and ſoule.
3 As an armie of ſouldiers doo altogether get the victorie, and not any one of them aſunder, and yet for all that, each one ſingly, is profitable in fight for the attainment of victorie: Euen ſo the ſufferings of Chriſt, as his death and bloudſhed, his hatred, his ſhame, and ignominie, &c. both of his body and of his ſoule, all together doo ſufficiently merite, but each one in ſeuerall, is profitable, and helpeth thereunto.
Chriſtes victorie ouer Sathan.
LIke as if two enemies fight together, and the one let the other chuſe his weapon himſelfe, and appointe the other what weapon hee is to vſe, if hee which is dealt ſo withall, doo vanquiſh and ouercome the other, the greater is his glorie which dooth ſo ouercome: So likewiſe Chriſt and Sathan fighting, Sathan did chuſe to fight with him in the fleſh (the weakeſt of many weapons) yet euen with that weapon did Chriſt ouercome him; which got Chriſt the greater glorie, and gaue Sathan the greater ſhame.
Chriſt ſuffered and died as he was man.
AS the precious ſtone called the Carbuncle, to ſee too, is like an hotte burning cole of fire, ſhining exceeding brightly, the which feeleth no fire, neither is it molten, chaunged, or mollified therewith: If thou ſhalt take it, and cloſe it faſt in a ring of lead, and caſt it into the fire, thou ſhalt ſee the lead molten and conſumed before thy face, but the Carbuncle remaining ſound and perfect without blemiſh as before: for the fire worketh vponupon the leade, but vponupon the Carbuncle it cannot worke: Euen ſo, Chriſt our Sauiour, being in the hotte ſcorching fire of his torments, ſuffered and died as hee was man, but as hee was GOD, hee neither ſuffered nor died: the fire of his afflictions, wrought then vponupon his manhood, but his diuinitie and godhead continued perfect, and vtterly vntouched.
The Croſſe maketh peace.
AS in a ciuell gouernment and common-wealth, nothing is more occaſion of war, then ouermuch peace: So in the Church, and among Miniſters of the Church, as nothing is more pernicious then too much quietneſſe, ſo nothing more ceaſeth priuate contentions oftentimes ariſing amongſt them, thē the publike Croſſe of perſecution.
The perſonall vnion of Christ.
AS a certaine ſoule, beeing ioyned to a certaine body, maketh one certaine perſon, as Peter, Paul, Iohn: So the eternall word of the Father, tooke vntounto it that fleſh of the virgine, that is to ſay, made the ſame ſo proper vntounto it ſelfe, that from hence commeth and proceedeth that perſon, which is called Chriſt.
Chriſt the reſurrection and life.
1 LIke as in a perfect body when the head hath ſenſe and motion, the hand that is of the ſame body hath alſo ſenſe & motion conuenient for it: So likewiſe Chriſt being the reſurrection and the life, as there is ſpirituall life in him, ſo eueryevery member of his, ſhall feele in it ſelfe ſpiritual ſenſe and motion, whereby it is raiſed vp from ſinne, and liueth vntounto God. Ioh. 5.25. & 6.63.
2 As the Burgeſſe of a Towne in the Parliament houſe, beareth the perſon of the whole Towne, and whatſoeuer he ſaith, that the whole Towne ſaith, and whatſoeuer is done to him, is alſo done to al the towne: So Chriſt vponupon the Croſſe ſtood in our place, and bare our perſon, and what he ſuffered, wee ſuffered; and when he died, all the faithfull died in him: and ſo likewiſe as hee is riſen againe, ſo are all the faithfull riſen in him.
3 As Chriſt, by the merite of his death, wipeth out our iniquities; and by his bloud clenſeth our conſciences from all mortall ſinne: So in like manner, by his reſurrection from death, he declareth himſelfe to be righteous, and in all reſpectes perfectly pure, according to the law of God. Rom: 4.25. Pſal. 16.16.
Chriſt hath prepared a place for vsus in heauen.
LIke as if a man were aſſured that there were made for him a great purchaſe in Spaine, or Turkie, ſo as if he would but come thither, hee might enioy it, he would not forbeare to aduenture the daungers of the Sea, and of his enemies alſo, if need were, that ſo hee might come to his owne: Euen ſo, ſeeing that Chriſt Ieſus hath made a purchaſe for vsus in heauen, and there is nothing required of vsus, but that we will come and enioy it, wee ought to refuſe no paines or feare in the way, but carefully to ſtriue to get in. Luk. 13.14.
Chriſt our Interceſſour.
LIke as he that would know whether the ſunne ſhine in the firmament, muſt not clime vp into the cloudes to looke, but ſearch for the beames thereof vponupon the earth, which when he ſees, he may conclude, that the ſun ſhines in the firmament: Euen ſo, if wee would know whether Chriſt in heauen make interceſſion for vsus, let vsus ranſacke our owne conſciences, and there make ſearch whether we feele the ſpirit of Chriſt crying in vsus, Abba Father. As for thoſe that neuer feele this worke of Gods ſpirite in them, their caſe is miſerable, whatſoeuer they be. Rom. 8.26.
Calamitie.
EVen as a cloud darkneth the ayre, and couereth the ſunne: So Calamitie and miſerie, maketh cloudie the mind of man, & taking from him all his ioy, it leaueth him bare and naked, without comfort, and full of ſorrow.
2 Like as lightnings do ſmite whatſoeuer they find in the earth, except the Lawrel tree, as Plinie affirmeth: Euen ſo great Calamitie, is able to take away, and to ouerthrow whatſoeuer is in man, or that hee hath, ſaue onelyonly firme and conſtant vertue: for conſtant vertue is a goodly Lawrell tree, euer flouriſhing and greene, and will not be conſumed, burnt vp, nor deſtroyed, with any fire that breaketh out of the cloudes, be it neuer ſo fierce, nor with any violence of torments and troubles whatſoeuer.
Rude and wanton Children.
LIke as when any are ſtinged, with the poyſon-ful ſting of Serpents, foorthwith they labour for remedie againſt the ſame, leaſt the wound rot and put them to further annoyance: Euen ſo, ſuch Children as bee infected and diſeaſed with wanton Idleneſſe, being alſo deſtitute of good maners, and learning, muſt be ſent to the ſchoole to be cured of their maiſter, with the rodde of correction, and vertuous education.
Falſe Chriſtians.
LIke as among a great ſort which are ſtriken with extreame ſickeneſſe and diſeaſes, ſome doo alwayes ſcape as it pleaſeth God: So it is to be hoped, that among an infinite number of falſe Chriſtans, God will touch ſome, to bring them backe from the filthineſſe and corruptions of the worlde, and to leade them to the fearing of himſelfe.
It is impoſsible to know who is a true Chriſtian before he die.
LIke as in a ground ſowed with diuers ſeedes, no man can certainly knowe ſome ſeede from an other, which ſhall bring forth fruite; and which ſhall not; yea though it hauehave alreadie put foorth, yea and that more is, though it be eared: Euen ſo, no one man can know an other man throughly to bee a Chriſtian (which is the greateſt felicitie that is) before the end of his race; becauſe no man is to bee counted happie before his deathes day, by reaſon of many miſeries and calamities which may befall him.
Chriſt the cauſe of our reſurrection and life.
1 AS the firſt Adam was the roote of all mankind, and he conuyed ſinne, & by ſinne, death to all that ſprang of him, Chriſt onelyonly excepted: So likewiſe Chriſt the ſecond Adam, which is the roote of all the elect, conueyeth life both in body and ſoule, to al that are vnited to him; and by the vertue of his reſurrection, they ſhall riſe againe after this life.
2 Like as the power of the Godhead of Chriſt when …he was dead in the graue, raiſed his body the third day: So alſo ſhall the ſame power of Chriſt his Godhead, conuey it ſelfe vntounto all the faithfull, which euen in death remaine vnited vntounto him, and raiſe them vp at the laſt day.
Why God afflicteth his Children.
AS a godly and wiſe Surgeon, purpoſing to cut the corrupted wounds of a ſicke body, and to take away, or to feare with an hot Iron, the rotten fleſh, in cutting or ſearing hath no pittie of the weake man, to the end, that in curing his ſore, and healing his wound, by cutting and ſearing, he may ſhew him pittie: Euen ſo, our moſt wiſe God, that celeſtiall Phyſition, and heauenly Surgeon, ſmiteth and afflicteth vsus, that hee may heale vsus; cutteth and ſeareth vsus, that he may cure vsus. Heb. 12.6.7. Deut. 32.39. Amo. 3.2. Pſa. 89.31.32.
Good Chriſtians are much grieued, when God is diſhonored.
AS a water pot, or a Viall full of liquor, if ſuddenly it be ouerthrowne, doth ſhed and ſcatter the liquor: So a deuout and godly Chriſtian, abounding with teares, being mooued and troubled with ſorrow, becauſe of the iniuries, diſhonour, wrongs and blaſphemies committed againſt the Lord, doth preſently powre out great aboundance, and as it were mightie ſtreames of ſalt and bitter teares. Luke. 19.41. Pſal. 119.136. Math. 26.75.
Diſobedient Children.
EVen as a long and a proſperous life is promiſed vntounto obedient ſonnes: So on the other ſide, all diſobedient, vnthankfull, and obſtinate Children, are aſſured of the puniſhment of infamie, ioyned with diuers and great o… lamities and torments. Exod. 20.12. 1. Sam. 2.22. 1. King. 1.25, &c. Deut. 21.18. &c. Pro. 20.20. Ephe. 6.2.
The end of our Calling.
LIke as if her Maieſtie (to ſhew her puiſſance againſt a forraine power) ſhould call foorth one or two of her ſubiects, who are moſt beholding vntounto her, to Iuſt and turney in her preſence for her honor, they wold no doubt ſtraine all their ſtrength in this ſeruice, yea and their liues too: Euen ſo, much more ought we that are Chriſtians to performe this dutie to our God, and Prince, who hath called vsus out by name to fight for his honour, to be a choſen and peculiar people, vntounto himſelfe, to ſtand on his parts, to ſhew forth his vertues, and to be zealous of good workes (yea and that wee might the better performe this ſeruice, he hath furniſhed vsus with his owne armour and weapons, yea and his owne hand is with vsus too, though all men ſee it not) and therefore we muſt endeuour to doo valiantly, and to doo our beſt, to anſwere the expectation of our heauenly king and prince. Tit. 2.13.14. Pſal. 130.4. 1. Pet. 2.9. Cantic. 8.6.
The Churches variable eſtate vponupon earth.
LIke as the day and night doo one follow another: So likewiſe in the adminiſtration of the Church here vponupon earth, Chriſt ſuffereth a continuall intercourſe betweene peace and perſecution.
Chriſt is to be ſerued and pleaſed before our ſelues or others.
AS the maiſter of thoſe ſeruants that are borne in his houſe, or whome hee purchaſeth; doo pretend that they doo him wrong, when they ſpend any time either to their owne particular profite, or in the ſeruice of others: So may Ieſus Chriſt much more iuſtly complaine of vsus, that are his two-fold ſeruants; namely, by birth and by purchaſe, if wee imploy euen neuer ſo little of our liues to ſerue and pleaſe our ſelues, the world, or the diuell, our enemies. 1. Cor. 6.19. Math. 16.24. Luk. 9.23. Rom. 12.2.
It is ſpirituall Adultrie to forſake Christ, and louelove the world.
EVen as a woman may rightly be called an Adultereſſe, that giueth her body to other men, and ſetteth her louelove on an other: So they which flie from Chriſt, and forſake him, being their ſpirituall husband, by ſetting their louelove on this world, or any thing therein, doo commit adulterie againſt Chriſt. Iam. 4.4. Ephe. 5.30. 1. Cor. 6.17.
Christ is ſent of the Father.
AS fire ſendeth forth both heate and light, but neither heate nor light ſendeth fire: ſo the father ſendeth both Chriſt, and the all knowing comforter, and hee is vnſent.
Christ and the holy Ghoſt are of the Father.
AS both the light & the heate are of the fire: So Chriſt and the holy Ghoſt both are of the Father; the one begotten, the other proceeding; and the Father onelyonly is of himſelfe, and of no other.