A Treasury of Similes, Part P · Part 32 – Part 54
Prayer.
1 LIke as in worldly things it makes no matter, concerning the ſuſtentation of our bodies, where we eate, or drinke, ſo it bee wholeſome, profitable, and conuenient: So in Religion, it skilleth not where any man prayeth, ſo that his Prayer bee deuout, zealous, and godly, in ſpirit and truth. 1. Timo. 2.8. Ioh. 4.21, 22, 23, 24.
2 Like as if a man ſhould tel a tale before a King, he had need chiefly to be careful (if he intend to ſpeed of his ſuit) that he do not onelyonly ſpeake that is true, but that he doo alſo behaue himſelfe after a modeſt and comely manner in telling of his tale, without either gazing about, or running into by matters: Euen ſo, much more ought wee to hauehave regard (when wee ſpeake vntounto God) that our ſpeech and Prayer be ſo adorned and garniſhed with all circumſtances of good meanes and behauiour, that it may be acceptable, to the eyes and eares of Gods maieſtie, not ſuffering our harts to be carried away, with wandring thoghts, and worldly imaginations, or otherwiſe occupied, and to forſake him in the midſt of our Prayer; For how ſhall God heare vsus, when wee heare not our ſelues▪ Or how would we hauehave him to remember vsus, when wee doo no whit remember our ſelues? This is euen to watch with our eyes, and to ſleepe with our hearts.
3 Like as the comelineſſe of a Father, is to giuegive vntounto his children all ſuch things, as becommeth a Father to giuegive; and ſo the ſeemelineſſe of a Prince, is to deale fauourably with his ſubiects, in thoſe things which are ſeemely and meete for a good Prince to do; for like as it falleth out diuers times, that children do vnaduiſedly aske ſome things of their Fathers, & the ſubiects of their Prince, which cannot be graunted, to ſaue the countenance & comelineſſe of the perſon, of whom they be requeſted: Euen ſo alſo it falleth out oftentimes, that wee doo aske thoſe things of God by Prayer, which hee cannot as God giuegive vntounto vsus, with the countenance and comelineſſe of God.
4 As none that is a ſuter to any other, wil do or vſe any thing, which might offend or hinder his ſuit: So no man that vſeth Prayer, will flatter himſelfe, in any thing, that may or will diſpleaſe God, to whom by Prayer he mooueth ſuit, when, and ſo often as he prayeth.
5 Like as it happeneth oftentimes, that thoſe that bee ſicke, doo wiſh and deſire to hauehave of their Phyſition thoſe things, that be vnwholeſome and vnprofitable for them: Euen ſo many times, wee deſire by Prayer of God, ſome things which (if they ſhould be giuen vsus) would be to our great hurt and vtter ruine, and which are contrarie for vsus. Math. 20.20, 21, 22. 1. Iohn. 5.14. Iam. 4.3.
6 As men do eate & drinke, which is a meane ordained of God, for the conſeruation of their liues, not looking thereby to lengthen their dayes aboue their bounds, which already the Lord hath appointed, but as becommeth them, to vſe that meanes, which hee hath ordained to ſerue his prouidence: Euen ſo doo the godly (as men not curious to know Gods prouidence, further then hee reuealeth it) vſe Prayer, as a meane, by the which hee is accuſtomed to worke many of his childrens deſire; that according to his good will, he may diſpoſe the ſame.
7 Like as a louing and well manered wife, will not take vponupon her to aske any thing of her husband at all, but that which ſhee hopeth he will take in good part, and doo of his owne free will, although ſhee had ſpoken nothing thereof; and when ſhee knoweth what her husbands will is in things, ſhee gladly talketh with him thereof, and accordingly as ſhee ſeeth him diſpoſed to doo, ſhee will often deſire him to doo it: Euen ſo the godly Chriſtians, which vnfainedly louelove God, in that they know his wiſedome, and will is beſt, cannot forbeare, but often pray and talke with him, and deſire him to doo that, which he knoweth is beſt, and which they know alſo he would do, if none ſhould aske or pray for the ſame.
8 As Rebecca, when two twinnes ſtroue in her wombe, was troubled and ſaid, why am I ſo? Wherefore ſhe went to aske the Lord, namely by ſome Prophet: So when we feele this inward fight, betwixt the fleſhe and the ſpirit, the beſt thing is, to hauehave recourſe to God by Prayer. Gene. 25.22.
9 As the children of Iſrael, by compaſſing the Citie of Ierico ſeuen dayes, & by ſounding Rams hornes, ouerturned the walls thereof: So by ſerious Prayer and inuocation of Gods name, the ſpirit is confirmed, and the Turrets and Towers of the rebellious fleſh battered. Ioſ. 6.34. Math. 26.41. 1. Pet. 4.7.
10 As the preaching of the word, ſerues to declare and to conuey vntounto vsus Gods graces: Euen ſo in Prayer wee come to hauehave a liuely feeling of the ſame in our hearts; for it is the key, whereby we open the treaſures of God, and pull downe his mercies vponupon vsus. Pſal. 106.23. Ephe. 6.18.
11 Like as if a man be to come before an earthly Prince, he will order himſelfe in apparell, geſture and word, that hee may doo all things in ſeemelineſſe and dutifull reuerence: Euen ſo much more are Chriſtians to order themſelues, when they are to appeare before the liuing God in Prayer. Eccle. 5.1.
12 As a child cannot without bluſhing call him Father, whom he cares not continually to diſpleaſe through his lewd conditions, neither can his Father delight in ſuch a child: Euen ſo with what face dare any man in Prayer, call God his Father, whome hee makes no conſcience to offend and diſpleaſe moſt rebelliouſly by word and deed.
13 As that Citie, which is not fenced with Wals, may be eaſily brought vnderunder ſubiection of the enemie, becauſe it wanteth that which ſhould withſtand the force and encounters of the enemie: So likewiſe the diuell will eaſily bring our ſoules in ſubiection vntounto him, and with no great paines, lead them to all kind of lewdneſſe; vnleſſe they be fenced by often and feruent Prayer vntounto God.
14 Like as the Sunne giues light to the body: So Prayer giueth light to the mind; for as it is daungerous for a man neuer to ſee the Sunne: So it is much more perillous for a Chriſtian man neuer to pray.
15 As trees bring foorth no fruit, vnleſſe they receiue Sap and nouriſhment from the rootes: Euen ſo wee can neuer increaſe in godlineſſe, vnleſſe we bee continually watred by our Prayers.
16 As theeues and robbers, beholding a man floriſh his ſword about his eares, will not then ſet vponupon him: Euen ſo the wicked ſpirits, ſeeing vsus fenced by our Prayers, will ſtraightway giuegive backe, and leaue vsus vnaſſaulted.
17 As waues of water are toſſed and carried away by force of wind: So likewiſe hee that prayeth without faith, muſt needs be carried of eueryevery forcible affection, & therefore cannot looke to obtaine his petitions. Iam. 1.6, 7.
18 As women preuaile with men in their ſuits by great importunitie: Euen ſo godly Chriſtians by Prayer without ceaſing, do obtaine their requeſts of God. Luk. 18.3, 7.
19 Like as the poore Captiue is alwayes creeping to the priſon doore, often labouring to get off his bolts and fetters, and to eſcape out of priſon: So likewiſe muſt wee alwayes creepe to the Lord for his ſpirit by Prayer, to free vsus out of this bondage and priſon, of ſinne and corruption; and euerie day come nearer the priſon doore, looking when our bleſſed Sauiour will vnbind vsus, of all the fetters of ſinne and Sathan, and fully erect his kingdome in vsus.
20 As a Mother that carrieth her child in her armes, if it crie for the Dugge and ſuckes the ſame, it is aliue; but beeing obſerued many dayes together, if it neither crie nor ſtirre, it is dead: So in like manner, it is an vnfallible note of a true child of God, to crie to his Father in heauen by Prayer; but hee that neuer crieth nor feeleth himſelfe ſtirred vp to make his mone to God, is in a miſerable caſe, and he may well be thought to bee but a dead child.
21 Like as we ſee green wood, lying in the fire ſobbing and ſmoaking long before it wil burne: Euen ſo no doubt all Gods children, doo feele a ſtrife and combat in their ſpirits, in many of their Prayers. Eſay. 38.41. &c.
22 Like as eueryevery Fencer or floriſher, proueth not a valiant and couragious man, when hee commeth to fight in good earneſt: Euen ſo no more are thoſe Prayers found effectuall, neither can ſuch men ſpeake a word to the purpoſe, when affliction hath laid hold on thē in deed; wheras a true Chriſtian, neuer ſheweth his manhood nor his cunning in this weapon of Prayer, more then when he is to fight for life and death; and the greater the daunger is, with ſo much the ſtouter courage is he endued. Pſal. 32.6.
23 As he that truly loueth, delighteth in nothing more, then in the often talking, & conference with him whom he loueth: Euen ſo where there is true and vnfained louelove vntounto God, there is a burning deſire by often Prayer to talke with God; ſo as no perill nor danger, no not of loſſe of life, can ſtay or hinder it; as may appeare by Daniel. Dan. 6.10.
24 As the more wood is laid on the fire, the greater is the flame: So likewiſe is the continuall talking with God by Prayer, a great increaſing of our louelove towards him; as on the contrarie, the ſeldomer we common with him by Praier, the more doth our louelove towards him from time to time abate & ſlake, vntil in the end, it be cleane quenched.
25 As a certaine kind of Serpent, when hee commeth to drinke, doth vomit vp al his poyſon: So a godly Chriſtian, when he commeth to pray, muſt baniſh and caſt away, all anger, malice, and hatred of his heart.
26 Like as the Ship, with proſperous wind is ſpeedily carried in her courſe: So our Praier is more profound, and is better hard when our minds are feruent with ſome deſire. Pſal. 17.1.
27 As Elizeus did caſt ſalt into the waters of Iericho to make them ſweete: So muſt wee ſalt and ſeaſon our Prayers with teares, to make them fauorie and delightſome to God. 2. King. 2.21.
28 Like as if men of great and loftie ſpirits (who to God are as ſilly wormes creeping on the earth) ſtand ſo much vponupon their reputation, that (as it is recorded of the Senatours of Rome in old time) they thinke it a great diſgrace vntounto them, that any man ſhould ſay, that he had in vaine asked helpe at their hands: Euen ſo much more wil God, the great king of heauen and earth, who is as able as the richeſt, and as willing to giuegive as the frankeſt, yea and hath as great care, (and that not without cauſe) of his glorie, as any man hath of his worldly worſhip & renowme, thinke ſcorne that any man ſhould ſay, there is no helpe for me in God, I hauehave in vaine afflicted my ſoule, humbled my ſelfe at his footeſtoole by Prayer, cleanſed my wayes in his ſight, repaired to the place of his preſence, and called vponupon him; there is nothing to be hoped for or gotten at his hands.
29 Euen as the Smith ſtriketh the yron while it is hote, and fit to receiue any forme or impreſſion: So God, although he could imprint his grace in the coldeſt, hardeſt, and flintieſt diſpoſition of the heart, yet he rather doth it, when as the affections of men are ſtirred vp and enflamed, either by the miniſterie of the word, and publike Prayer (during the which, regeneration is ordinarily wrought in men) or elſe by ſome priuate Chriſtian exerciſe, as reading the Scripture, and ſerious meditation, but eſpecially by praying, and ſinging Pſalmes to God; in the time of the which actions, it pleaſeth God ſometimes to ſend his ſpirit into the hearts of his elect.
30 Like as a medicine or playſter cannot heale a wound, if there be any yron ſticking in the ſame: So in like manner, the Praier of a man profiteth him not, as long as there is ſorrow in his mind, or hatred in his breſt; for if charitie want, all things be void.
31 Euen as a child, when he feareth any euill or harme towards, runneth to his father for helpe and ſuccour: So in like manner the children of God, they runne to God by Prayer in all their daungers and diſtreſſes. Gene. 16.11. & 21.17.
32 As a louing Father in regard of his ignorant, and ſomtimes negligent child, doth giuegive him things vnasked; but not to the rebellious: Euen ſo God, doth oftentimes beſtow his graces and benefites vponupon vsus, without Prayer.
33 As parents rather take pleaſure to heare their children ſtammer, then to heare ſome other ſpeake eloquently: Euen ſo doth the Lord take pleaſure in the Prayers of his Saints, becauſe in Chriſt hee taketh them for his children.
34 As the knowledge of God, ought not to be vnperfect or doubtfull: So Prayer ſhould not be faint or ſlacke, without courage or quickneſſe.
35 Like as he that is in priſon deſireth euer to be deliuered, whether hee be eating, drinking, or ſleeping, and as he that is ſicke deſireth alwayes to bee whole, euen ſo dooth euerie Chriſtian man pray continually, yea euen when hee ſeemeth not to pray, for Prayer conſiſteth not in much babling. Math. 6.7. But in ſpirit and veritie. Iohn. 4.24. and in vehement deſire of the heart towards God.
36 As a Sonne being pinched with any griefe or want, doth ſtraight way runne to his Father for reliefe: So doo the faithfull in the manifold miſeries, and croſſes of this preſent life, ſeeke for helpe at the hands of their heauenly father by Prayer. Ephe. 5.1.
37 As the exerciſing of the body, doth not onelyonly preſerue it in the naturall vigour, but alſo increaſeth ſtrength of it, and keepeth it from ſickneſſe: So by the daily vſe of Prayer, wee ſhall find that the Lord will increaſe in vsus all ſpirituall graces, farre aboue our owne expectation, or the opinion of any other. Ephe. 6.18.
It is no Preſumption to be aſſured of our ſaluation.
1 LIke as if a king ſhould make a promiſe vntounto ſome one of his ſeruants, whom he fauoreth, and the ſame partie ſhould aunſwere againe, I ſtand in doubt of your promiſe, or I hardly beleeue the performance of your promiſe; might not the King well thinke himſelfe greatly diſhonoured, to hauehave it doubted, whether he be a man of his word? But if he ſhould ſweare for the Performance of his promiſe, & yet the partie would not credit him, he would neuer put that vp, or ſuffer ſuch an iniurie: Euen ſo after the ſame manner, it muſt needes follow, that ſeeing God hath bound himſelfe both by promiſe, and by oath, that it is great preſumption, for vsus not to beleeue him; yea it is all one, as to thinke that God may lie, or that he may be forſworne, which is horrible blaſphemie. Hebr. 6.17, 18.
2 Like as it is al one, if a man be cōdemned for treaſon, to hauehave his pardon ſent him, being but one man alone, or hauing a great ſort moe cōdemned vntounto death with him, as if a general pardon be ſent for them all: Euen ſo it is betwixt God and vsus, we were all condemned, he hath ſent a general pardon, to as many as beleeue his promiſe; which he offereth, and ſendeth vntounto all in generall, as hee alſo offereth and ſendeth vntounto euerie one in particular; ſaying that whoſoeuer beleeueth and truſteth in Chriſt, ſhall be ſaued; God therefore hath told ſome men, that is ſuch as beleeue, that they ſhall be ſaued; and ſuch as doubt of his promiſe, and his oath, that they ſhall be damned: So that it is no preſumption to be ſure and certaine of our ſaluation. Mar. 16. Iohn. 3.16, 17, 18. & 5.24. Act. 15.11.
Pure mind.
AS the Sunne is not defiled, by ſhining vponupon a puddle or dunghill, but doth rather drie vp, and driue away the ſtinch: Euen ſo a Pure and chaſt mind, ſtriueth againſt the vncleanneſſe of the world, and ouercommeth it, but is not defiled it ſelfe.
Proceeding in Religion.
LIke as the young child muſt not looke to bee fed alwayes, with the Teate or pappe, but as it groweth in yeares, ſo to feede on ſtronger meate: Euen ſo good Chriſtians, muſt not content themſelues to hauehave learned the principles of Religion, but they muſt labour alſo to Proceed and come to perfection, by learning the ſubſtantiall and higher points of Religion; and not to bee like truants, alwayes ſticking at one leſſon. Hebr. 5.13, 14. 1. Pet. 2.1, 2, 3.
Prayer muſt be made to God alone.
LIke as if a King would ſend out a Proclamation, that all his ſubiects, whenſoeuer they had any ſuit or trouble, ſhould come to himſelfe, and let him vnderſtand their caſe, to the intent to winne his ſubiects fauour, and to make knowne his good will towards them; then that man might well bee counted fooliſh, that knowing this, would ſeeke and ſue to ſome Noble man, to get him to ſpeake to the King for him; and this King might iuſtly be offended and diſpleaſed at him for ſo doing: Euen ſo it ſtandeth betwixt God and vsus, who hath commaunded vsus to call vponupon him in the day of trouble, ſo hee will deliuer vsus; and therefore thoſe that make Saints their mediatours, doo robbe him of his honour and glorie, that is due vntounto him, &c. Pſal. 50.15.
Profeſsion abuſed.
AS wee doo not condemne the Art of Phyſicke, becauſe ſome Phyſitions hauehave giuen poyſon for Apothicarie drugges, but thoſe that abuſe the Art: Or as wee doo not condemne the Art of Nauigation, becauſe ſome hauehave made ſhipwracke; but their want of knowledge, that hauehave ſo done: So in like manner, wee may not condemne the Profeſſion of Chriſtianitie, becauſe ſome making ſhewe of Chriſtianitie, hauehave committed grieuous ſinnes; but they that hauehave abuſed the good Profeſſion.
Pacifiers of other men being angrie, muſt not be angrie themſelues.
AS the Chirurgion (in healing them that hath the tooth-ache) doth not ſo ſorrow for the others griefe, as he doth reioyce for his owne health, but is indifferent and pleaſant: So he which goeth about to remedie an others anger, ought not to bee mooued himſelfe, but pleaſantly to handle the ſicke mind of his neighbour.
Proſperitie or aduerſitie, make not a good or bad man.
AS we may not take it for a ſure token, and good argument, that the doings of wicked men do pleaſe God, or that they bee in the fauour of God, becauſe they hauehave good and proſperous ſucceſſe in their affaires: Euen ſo we may not condemne the godly, becauſe they ſometimes want neceſſaries and be in aduerſitie; for if the ſucceſſe be euill, the cauſe is not therefore ſtraightway euill; neither if the ſucceſſe bee good, is the cauſe therefore ſtraightway good: Yet no doubt, there is great difference betweene the hauing of a good cauſe, and the hauing of an euill cauſe. Iob. 21.7. &c. Iere. 12.1. &c. Mal. 3.14, 15. Pſal. 37.1. &c. 2. Cor. 11.25, 26. Gene. 39.20. Iudg. 20.21, 25. 2. King. 24.1. &c. Iere. 27, 19, 20.
Performance of Gods Commaundements.
LIke as if a Debtor were bound to paye a thouſand pounds, which hee oweth vntounto his Creditor, though the ſame Creditor did demaund this debt of him beeing due, and yet hee were not able to ſatisfie or pay him; yet this Creditor ſhould not doo vniuſtly to aske of his Debtor his thouſand pound: Euen ſo no more is God vnrighteous, to aske and require of vsus the Performance, and due obſeruation of all and euerie part of his commaundements at our hands, although wee cannot ſatisfie it accordingly. Math. 18.24.
Prayer before holy exerciſes.
LIke as a man diſeaſed in his body, ſeeketh, and taketh the counſell of a Phyſition, that by receiuing a medicine of him, hee may recouer his health, and ſo hauehave a good ſtomacke to his meate: So wee (whenſoeuer Gods word goeth againſt our ſtomacke, and that our ſoules loatheth it) muſt by Prayer ſeeke to Chriſt our heauenly Phyſition, that hee may make our ſoules to like of Gods word, which is the bread of ſaluation; leaſt wee ſtarue for want of the ſame. Ioh. 4.14. & 6.27.
Preaching required before the receiuing of the Sacraments.
1 AS the print in Wax is more fitly receiued, and fully expreſſed, when the wax is wrought and warmed firſt: So likewiſe the effect of the Sacrament, of the bodie and bloud of Chriſt, is more liuely felt and ſeene, when the people repaire and reſort thereunto, with minds and hearts wel inſtructed, Catechiſed, prepared, and throughly examined.
2 As it is a good concluſion, that for ſo much as Peter in that hee is a man, is borne to hauehave, and by common courſe of nature hath two legges, therefore Iohn and Thomas, and all the reſt hauehave ſo: Euen ſo, for ſo much as Iohn Baptiſt, by reaſon of his miniſtery, had need firſt to preach, then to baptiſe; it followeth, that all others that hauehave that miniſterie committed vntounto them, muſt doo the like. Mat. 3.1. &c. Act. 19.4, 5.
Preparation needfull before the receiuing of the Lords ſupper.
AS it is very conuenient that hee that will heare the word fruitfully, ſhould prepare himſelfe before to heare: So likewiſe is it very needfull for him that will receiue the Lords ſupper comfortably, that hee ſhould by examination, bee Prepared before the receiuing thereof; for this Preparation both before hearing and receiuing, is as it were a kind of Phyſick; for preparatiues are miniſtred alwaies before Phyſicke, otherwiſe it would do no good, but hurt: So vnleſſe examination goe before the Sacrament, the party ſealeth vp the threatnings, which are written againſt him, inſtead of the promiſes which are made vntounto him; for the Sacrament is a ſeale, and therfore ſealeth good or euill, as eueryevery other ſeale doth. Rom. 4.11.
Promiſes of God.
AS it is a fancie of the Phyſitions, that he which carieth Mugwort in his boſome, will not be wearie in his trauaile: So alſo it is a truth of the Lord, that hee which carrieth the ſweete Promiſes of the Goſpell in his heart, ſhall not faint in his troubles.
Priuate Prayer, reading, meditation, and conference at home.
1 LIke as moſt men be carefull enough in making their prouiſion, curious in marking what is wholeſome or hurtfull for them, preciſe and conſtant in keeping their houres for dinner and ſupper; yea and willing to keepe themſelues to ſome kind of meate: So contrariwiſe, many refuſe the food of their ſoules, as a fruitleſſe and vnſauorie thing, which chiefly conſiſteth in the pure vſe of Gods publike worſhip, and partly in holy Prayers, meditations & readings in priuate; although the moſt part be content, for ſome carnall reſpect, to ſhewe themſelues in the publike aſſemblies, yet fewe there are that are carefull to redeeme the time, and to make himſelfe (by Priuate reading and meditation,) more fit to reape fruit by the publike miniſterie of the word and Sacraments.
2 As they, who through errour, preiudice, or ſelf-louelove, are ſo adicted to their priuate ſtudies, that they diſpoſe or neglect the publike miniſterie, ſhal (without ſpeedie merciemercy from God) fall into diuers fond opinions, and daungerous errours, and pine away in their ignorance and ſinnes: Euen ſo to litle purpoſe is our hearing of Sermons abroad, if there be not a ſetled and conſtant courſe of priuate Prayer, reading, meditation, & conference at home.
3 Like as naturall men, who are moſt greedie of the world, wil not (miſſe ſcarce once in a yere) their ordinarie houres of eating & drinking: Euen ſo, much more ought Chriſtians, not to bee fickle or vnfaithfull, in forgetting & omitting the times of reading, and praying vntounto God, meditation and conference at home.
Prouidence of God.
1 LIke as when the ſtaffe or cruch of an aged man is taken from him, he therupon fals: Euen ſo when Gods bleſſing is taken from our bread and ſuſtenance, which is as the power of nouriſhment, and ſtaffe of our bread, and food, it becomes vnprofitable, and ceaſſeth to nouriſh.
2 As a ſhaddow doth protect and defend vsus from the beames and heate of the Sunne: Euen ſo God doth protect vsus from daungers. Pſal. 91.1.
3 Like as in high & defenced Towers, we are ſafe from the enemie: So likewiſe by the Prouidence of God wee are in ſafetie from our foes. Pſal. 3.4.
4 Like as in a Clocke there be diuers wheeles, whereof ſome be mooued ſlower, ſome faſter, and yet all are directed by one handle: So alſo in this world, though there be many creatures, and hauehave diuers actions, yet they are all guided and gouerned by one, and the ſame Prouidence of God.
5 As Philip the Father of Alexander the great, being reprooued for that he ſlept too long in the Morning, conſidering the multitude of thoſe affaires which he had dayly to diſpatch; anſwered, that hee might ſafely ſleepe, ſo long as his Lieutenant Antipater was awake: So in like manner may wee reſt at our eaſe, ſo long as the heauenly eye of the Poruidence of God, which ſeeth all things is open, and carefull to guide vsus & our affaires, whenſoeuer we commit them into his hand. Pſal. 3.3, 4, 5.
6 As Gods Prouidence doth firſt worke and bring to paſſe good things; Secondly, it permitteth euill things to bee done; but then thirdly, it directeth and ordereth, all things both good and bad in his owne glorie, and to the ſaluation of his children: So God turned Adams fall to the manifeſting of his owne glorie, and to Adams good; for by this meanes, had Adam experience of Gods great and infinite merciemercy, and might ſay: By this I know that thou fauoureſt me, becauſe thou forgaueſt me, and didſt not ſuffer the Diuell to triumph against me. Pſal. 41.11. So all the ſlips and falls of Gods children are turned to their good, in as much as by them they are made more fearefull of ſinne, and more watchfull ouer their wayes; as the child is fearefull of the Candle, when he hath once burnt his finger in the flame. Rom. 8.28.
Poperie.
AS a ſticke that hath lyne long in water, will very hardly burne when it commeth to the fire: So likewiſe thoſe that are plunged in the dregs of Poperie, will hardly be ſet on fire, with the zeale of Gods ſpirit.
Faith and Gods Promiſes muſt be ioyned.
LIke as the Speare and ſhield, ſword, helmet, and dagger, are not profitable weapons vntounto him that cannot vſe them, or wil not, when good occaſion is offered: Euen ſo the Promiſes of God, doo nothing profit them, that cannot rightly applie them, and wil not beleeue thereon, or will not vſe them.
Papiſt craft in compoſing their Prayer.
AS Rat-catchers vſe to take good bread, cheeſe, and butter, and to mingle the ſame with poyſon, or Rats baine; the good bread, cheeſe, and butter is nothing elſe, but to allure the Rats, to eate the ſecret and hidden poyſon, to their deſtruction: Euen ſo the Papiſts in the beginning of al their Prayers, they ſay: Almightie and euerlaſting God; and at the latter end of their Prayers, they ſay: Through Ieſus Christ our Lord; but betweene the beginning and ending, there is ſet in, the merites, paſſions, ſufferings, interceſſions, and meditations of Saints, that through through them, their ſufferings, bloud-ſheddings, merites, and holineſſe, we ſhould obtaine heauen and life euerlaſting, to our ſaluation, &c.
Parents.
1 AS arrowes are an excellent weapon of defence, to a ſtrong and a mightie man, that can ſhoote them with courage: Euen ſo children godly brought vp, are a ſpeciall protection & defence to their Parents. Pſa. 127.4.
2 As the ſtrong mans quiuer, the better it is furniſhed with choſen ſhafts, the better defence hee hath: So likewiſe the moe godly children that Parents hauehave, the greater is their ioy and happineſſe.
3 As arrowes are at the commaundement of the owner to be vſed: Euen ſo children are at the commaundement of godly Parents.
Peace and proſperitie.
AS a building ſet vp with vntempred morter, the morter crumbleth and waſheth away with eueryevery ſtorme: Euen ſo is the Peace and proſperitie, that falſe Prophets promiſe the people, and preach vntounto them out of their owne hearts, when God hath not ſent them. Ezech. 13.10, 11.
Eternall Puniſhment.
AS there is no compariſon betwixt the painted fire, and the true fire: So there is none betwixt the Puniſhments of this preſent life, and that to come; for the torments of the life to come, are eternall, and vnſpeakeable.
Lying Prophets.
AS Dawbers that dawbe walls, with morter which was neuer tempered, cannot make thoſe walles continue, for that the morter crumbleth away: Euen ſo falſe and lying Prophets, that ſpeake in the name of the Lord, that which he neuer commaunded them, cannot make their words true, or to come to paſſe as they hauehave promiſed. Ezech. 22.28.
The Pride of Idolaters.
1 AS the morning deawe, ſoone after the Sunneryſing vaniſheth away: Euen ſo the ſtrength, glorie, proſperitie & Pride of the Idolaters, is by God ſoone brought to nought. Hoſe. 13.3