A Treasury of Similes, Part P · Part 55 – Part 81
Papists.
1 AS the Iewes alleaged that they had plentie of all things, when they ſerued the Queen of heauen: Euen ſo likewiſe our Papiſts ſay and alleadge, that it was a merrie world, when yet they were plunged ouer head and eares in Idolatrie, and then they had 24. Egges for a penny. Iere. 44.17.18.
2 As the Philiſtines when they had put out the eyes of Sampſon, did then lead him whither they would: So likewiſe the Papiſts, when they had ſubtilly put out the eyes of the people, in taking frō them the light of Gods word, and the Goſpell of Chriſt; they brought them where they liſted, & made them beleeue what they would. Iud. 16.21.
3 Euen as Vipers doo eate out, and teare in peeces the b…llies of their breeders, that themſelues may get out: So, not the Iewes onelyonly, but the Papiſts alſo, doo mangle and teare in peeces the lawe of God, and do rent, and corrupt the words & doctrine of the holy Prophets of God, euen as it were a belly & bowels, that they may creepe out, and eſcape, from a liuely, perfect, and a ſauing faith; and that they may be confirmed in their errours, hereſies, and infidelitie.
4 As the Iewes hauehave from time to time, ſlaine the gracious and wiſe Prophets of God: Euen ſo the Papiſtes now, where they beare any ſway, of rule and authoritie, doo moſt cruelly torment and murther the Saintes of God.
5 As Mice will be ſtill in the houſe, but neuer be acquainted with the maiſter of the houſe: Euen ſo ſuch are Papiſts, for they will drawe neare vntounto Chriſt with their lips, but deny him with their deeds; they will kiſſe Chriſt with Iudas, and giuegive him gentle outward entertainment; but it is for thirtie pence, or thirtie pound vantage, or money, more or leſſe.
6 As the children of Iſrael grudging, and murmuring againſt God in the wilderneſſe, whē any temptatiō aroſe, and would goe backe againe into Egypt, died in the wilderneſſe, and were not ſuffered to enter into the land of Canaan: Euen ſo ſuch are all Papiſts, vnfaithfull, and fleſhly liuers, who are ſuperſtitious, and cannot abide to hauehave their Idolatries and lewd luſts reſtrained and reprooued by the word of God, to worſhip him, according as hee hath appointed, but would goe after ſtraunge Gods, worſhipping him after their own inuentions; all theſe (vnleſſe they repent and bee conuerted) ſhall not enter the kingdome of God; but ſhall lie in the wilderneſſe, that is, a place of euerlaſting trouble and vexation. Numb. 11.1. &c. Pſal. 78.24. &c.
7 As the Gentiles faſhioned their Gods, with what figures they liſted: So doo the Papiſts, to declare God to be ſtrong, they made him in the forme of a Lyon; to bee vigilant, and diligent, they made him in the forme of a Dogge.
8 As Mendeſij, formed their God Pana with a Goates face, and Goates legges, and though they did their God great honour, becauſe among them their Heard-men of Goates, were had in moſt eſtimation: So doo the Papiſts who would yet be counted Chriſtians, paint and porture God, and his Saints, with ſuch pictures as they imagine in their fantaſies, namely God like an old mā, with a hore head, as though his youth were paſt, which hath neither beginning nor ending: Saint George with a long ſpeare, vppon a iolly hackney, that gaue the Dragon his deaths wound (as the Painters ſay) in the throate: Saint White, with as many round cheeſes, as may be painted about his Tabernacle: So that there is no difference at all betweene a Papiſt and a Gentile in this Idolatrie, ſauing onelyonly the name; for they thought not their Images to be God, bu… ſuppoſed that their Gods would be honored that wayes, as the Papiſts doo.
9 As among the Gentiles there were ſome called Augures, that by obſeruation of the Birds of the ayre, in their flying, crying and eating, made men beleeue, they knew things to come: So likewiſe ſome Papiſts thinke they can doo the ſame; as if the Pie chatter, they looke for gueſts: If the Crow crie, they ſay wee ſhall hauehave raine; and if the Oule houle and crie, it is a ſigne of death.
10 As there were ſome, that by the obſeruation of the ſtarres, tooke vponupon them to ſpeake of things to come, by certaine ſuperſtitious, and diuelliſh incantations, which the Perſians call Magos, or Inchaunters; the Greekes call them Phyloſophers; and the Latiniſts name thē wiſe men: Euen ſo there are ſome among the Papiſts, which be called Soothſayers, or Prognoſticators, that write and ſpeake of things to come; as when Iupiter ruleth the conſtellations aboue, and is not impeached, nor let by the coniunction of his contrarie Planet; wee ſhall (ſay they) hauehave a good yeare and a plentifull: If Saturne, and ſuch as Aſtronomers attribute, contrarie qualities vntounto, raigne, we ſhall hauehave ſcarcitie and dearth of things.
11 Like as Valer. li. 8. cha. 1. writeth of one of the Goddeſſe Veſta her Nunnes, that was falſely accuſed of an vnchaſt life, deſired the Goddeſſe to cleare her innocencie in that crime, in ſome miracle; as ſhee did: The maide went to the ryuer Tiber with a ſiue, and brought it full of water into the Temple of the Goddeſſe: So likewiſe there bee ſome Papiſts, that by the abuſe of Gods name, through the helpe of the diuell, doo ſometimes worke the ſame, in healing men and beaſts; as in time of Poperie, they perſwaded ſome ſimple & ignorant people, that this Popiſh medicine could heale al diſeaſes: ✚ Iſus, ✚ Iob, ✚ habuit, ✚ vermes, ✚ Iob, ✚ patitur, ✚ vermes. ✚ In ✚ nomine ✚ patris ✚ & filij, ✚ & ſpiritus ſancti ✚ Amen. ✚ Lamazabathani. ✚
12 Like as the Lanthorne holdeth the Candle, not for it ſelfe, but for others: So Papiſts hauehave the word, and baptiſme among them, not for themſelues, but for the true Church of God.
13 Like as if an vnchaſt wife, ſhould receiue many Louers into her houſe, in the abſence of her Husband; and beeing reprooued, ſhould aunſwere, that they were the friends of her husband; and that ſhee kept them onelyonly in remembrance of him: Euen ſo the Papiſts alleadge, that they vſe and worſhip Images, onelyonly in remembrance of God, hauing no commaundement ſo to doo, but the contrarie.
14 As it happeneth, when we ſee the cloudes moue in a darke night, our ſight is ſo dimmed, that we imagine the ſtarres to goe an other way: So the Papiſts, not finding any end or ſtableneſſe in the clouds of their errors, are not able rightly to iudge of the truth, but think that the Scripture and all, goeth awrie.
15 Like as Caligula, who bidding many gueſts, cauſed to be ſet before them golden diſhes, and golden cups, and bad them eate: Euen ſo the Papiſts, hauehave blindfolded the people, by keeping them from knowledge, and by deuiſing to fill their eyes with dum ſhowes to gaze vponupon, and their eares with bare ſounds of words, farre from their capacitie to reach vntounto, or profitably vnderſtand.
Such hauehave moſt Profit, as are fartheſt from great men.
AS the Moone hauehave by ſo much the leſſe light, by how much it is nearer the Sunne: So hauehave they moſt Profit and honour, which are far from great Lords & Princes
Pooreneſſe of ſpirit.
1 AS the firſt ſtep vntounto health, is to know a mans diſeaſe, becauſe hee that knowes his diſeaſe, ſeekes conuenient remedie: Euen ſo the firſt ſteppe to the heauenly riches, is Pooreneſſe of ſpirit, becauſe he that feeleth this, ſeeke riches elſewhere. Math. 5.3.
2 Like as ſickneſſe is by nature a ſtep vntounto death, if the Phyſition helpe not: So likewiſe this Pooreneſſe of ſpirit, would ſend a man the ſtraight way to Hel, but that Chriſt imparted his riches vntounto vsus.
3 Like as the Pooreneſſe of beggerie, is not onelyonly extreame needineſſe; but alſo the open profeſſion of the ſame: Euen ſo the Pooreneſſe of ſpirit, is not onelyonly the vttermoſt want of heauenly riches; that is to wit, of righteouſneſſe, holineſſe, and innocencie; but alſo the profeſſion of the ſame want before God, of whom we deſire releaſe of our needineſſe, for Chriſtes ſake.
God protecteth the Penitent.
1 AS the roote is the foundation, whereon trees are ſtayed, and whereby they receiue their nouriſhment: Euen ſo all ſuch as are Penitent and ſorrowfull for their ſinnes, and leane onelyonly vntounto the merciemercy and protection of God, ſhall ſurely proſper, be perdurable and laſting. Iob. 29.19. Hoſe. 14.5.
2 As a Citie, the Walles and defences whereof are broken downe, is in daunger of euerie enemie, that is of force and might: Euen ſo a man that hath no ſtay of his appetite, affections, & deſires, is alwayes eaſie to be ſpoyled of any that will ſeeke it. Prou. 25.28.
Obſtinate Perſecutors vnrecouerable.
AS it is a meere madneſſe, for men to goe about to feede and cheariſh the Dogge, that they know to be mad (for they put themſelues in daunger of his rage) and yet doo him no good: So likewiſe is it a great folly for a man to goe about to conuert them by the word of God, who by plaine tokens hauehave ſhewed themſelues to Perſecute the truth, not of zealous ignorance, but of wilful and malicious obſtinacie. Math. 7.6.
Preaching maketh a ſeperation.
LIke as in a Barne, hee that maketh cleane the Corne with his Fan, doth ſeuer the Wheate and the chaffe aſunder, and layeth vp the Wheate into the Garner: Euen ſo Chriſt by the Preaching of his word, doth diſſeuer his elect and reprobate; and his elect, hee will take home to himſelfe; and the reprobate hee reſerueth to euerlaſting fire. Math. 3.12. Luk. 3.17.
Proſperitie maketh men rebellious.
AS Cattell the luſtier they are kept, and the fatter they are fed, are the more vnruly, and readie to kicke againſt their keepers: Euen ſo is it with verie many men, the more temporall bleſſings, and worldly commodities, God heapeth vponupon them, the more they kick againſt him, and will bee the leſſe ruled by his Miniſters and word. Deut. 32.15.
No Power againſt God.
AS an earthen bottell, when it is broken to peeces, the ſhards thereof cannot be ſet together againe: So likewiſe, when God is diſpoſed to puniſh wicked people, no man can helpe or heale them. Iere. 19.10, 11.
2 As water runneth and falleth away: So ſhal all hands be weakned, and knees ſhall ſhrinke, when God ſhall puniſh impietie and wickedneſſe. Ezech. 7.17.
Pouertie.
1 AS riches and wealth oftentimes make men to forget themſelues, and God too: So contrariwiſe, Pouertie ſpurreth men forwards to learne Arts, whereby they may both helpe themſelues and theirs.
2 As riches for the moſt part engendreth idleneſſe, and contempt of learning, and learned men: So Pouertie cauſeth ſobrietie, and maketh men vertuous and diſcreet.
3 As Phidas could make the ſame Images as well of Braſſe, as Marble, as of Euorie: So can a godly man ſhew his vertues and good actions, as wel in Pouertie, as riches, and wealth.
Plants.
AS the Gardiner doth roote and throw out of his garden, all ſuch Plants as are vnprofitable: Euen ſo ſuch Plants as God hath not planted, ſhall be rooted out of his Church. Math. 15.13.
Preachers ſhould be maintained.
1 AS it is reaſon, that hee which planteth a Vineyeard ſhould eate of the fruit thereof: So alſo it is reaſon, that he that Preacheth the Goſpell, ſhould hauehave a liuing of them whome he teacheth, for himſelfe and his charge. 1. Cor. 9.7.
2 As Souldiers liue by their wages, and Husbandmen by the fruit of their labours, and ſhepheards by that, that commeth of their flockes: So in like manner the Miniſter that laboreth in Preaching the word, is to be maintained by them to whom he preacheth.
Falſe Prophets.
1 AS ſpots deface the things they light on, which ought to bee cleane: So alſo falſe Prophets and falſe brethren, defile and ſtaine the ſocietie and fellowſhip of Chriſtians. Iud. 1.12.
2 As ſhipmen cannot guide themſelues by wandring ſtarres, without daunger of ſhipwracke, their courſe is ſo vncertaine and wandering: So no Chriſtian can without aſſured deſtruction, make ſuch Prophets his guides, as ſtay not themſelues, vponupon the onelyonly and infallible rule of truth. Iud. 1.13.
3 Like as Wolues breaking into a flocke of ſheepe, do deuour ſome, and ſcatter the reſt: So alſo doo falſe Prophets and falſe teachers, which creepe into the Church of God, and bring to deſtruction, thoſe whome they can allure within compaſſe of their nets, and ſo diuide and ſeperate the reſt by diſcention and debate. Act. 20.29.
Preachers.
AS they are very welcome, and receiued ioyfully of vsus, which bring vsus tidings of that which wee greatly deſire: So likewiſe ought the feete of our Preachers, to bee eſteemed beautifull, which bring vsus the glad tidings of peace, and reconcilement with God. Rom. 10.15.
Perſecution.
1 AS the raiſed waters with great raines, fall ſuddenly with great rage and perill of drowning to many: So alſo are the Perſecutions of the Church, if God doo not miraculouſly reſcue it from them. Pſal. 104.6.
2 As in running the courſe, the agilitie or ſwiftneſſe of the Horſe is knowne, the ſtrength of a man in the combat, the ſauour of many drugs, in rubbing, or bruſing of them, or caſting them into the fire: Euen ſo the conſtancie, faith, zeale, and other vertues, which God communicateth (by his free election) to his elect, are manifeſt by Perſecutions, which otherwiſe ſhould be hid. Phil. 4.13. 2. Cor. 12.10.
3 As a moſt careleſſe Husband, will not in any wiſe content himſelfe, if his wife, giuing ouer her bodie to whoredome, ſhould ſay vntounto him, that ſhee keepeth neuertheleſſe her heart vntounto him: Euen ſo euerie faithfull Chriſtian ought to ſhunne ſuch falſe Nicodemites, who to auoid Perſecution, will abandon (by a ſacriledge intollerable) their bodies to Idolatrie, and ſo conſequently to the diuell; in reſeruing as they ſay, their hearts vntounto God. 1. Cor. 6.19, 20. & 2. Cor. 7.1.
4 Like as in the vineyeard of Engad, there is a kind of wood, which if a man pricke it, or cut it, it ſendeth forth a ſweete Oyntment, otherwiſe if it be not cut or pierced ſomewayes, it dooth not ſmell ſo ſweete as otherwiſe it would doo: So it is with men and Chriſtians that are Perſecuted vndeſeruedly.
5 As the Sunne, when in the middeſt of the day he is moſt higheſt, is then moſt hotteſt: So likewiſe Perſecution, is the companion of the pure and vncorrupt Religion of Chriſt.
6 As the inhabitants of the Citie of Meros, were accurſed by the Angell of the Lord, becauſe they came not foorth to helpe the Lord, &c. Iudg. 5.23. Euen ſo ſuch as are ſlacke and negligent, to aſſiſt the Lord in the time of Perſecution, in not ſuffering for his ſake, ſhall be curſed.
7 As he which runneth at the Glaue, and for a prize or wager, doth not looke and fix his eyes on them that ſtand by, or on ſuch as goe this way, and that way, but hee caſteth his eyes altogether, and bendeth his force to come firſt to the goale, and looketh on them that runne with him, and that thoſe that are behind him, may not ouercatch him, and ſtriueth that hee may ouertake thoſe that are before him: Euen ſo ſhould we doo, leaue looking at thoſe that will not chearefully runne the race for heauens bliſſe, by the path of Perſecution with vsus, and caſt our eyes towards and on the end of our race, and on them that runne before vsus, that we may ouertake them; and on them that runne after vsus, that wee may prouoke them to come the ſpeedier and faſter after vsus.
8 Like as when a man ſhooteth for a great wager, hee will not caſt his eyes in ſhooting, either on them that rydeth by the way, or vppon the ſtanders by, but rather on the marke that hee ſhooteth at, otherwiſe it were not like that hee ſhould winne the game: So likewiſe in time of Perſecution, we muſt ſet our eyes on the marke that wee ſhoote at, euen Ieſus Chriſt, who for the ioy, which hee ſetteth before vsus, did ioyfully carrie his Croſſe, contemning the ſhame thereof, and is now ſet on the right hand of God his Father. Hebr. 12.1, 2, 3.
9 Euen as in times paſt, the people of Gog and Magog, did ſore moleſt and afflict the people of God: So in the time of Antichriſt, Perſecutions, and moſt grieuous wars ſhall ariſe, wherewith the Church of God ſhall be ſhaken and laide waſte. Reue. 20.7, 8.
The Pride of mans heart.
1 LIke as Adoni-beſecke, did put diuers Kings vnderunder his Table, and cut off their thumbes and toes: Euen ſo mans heart dooth thinke baſely of all other men, putting them vnderunder their feete, and detracting and diminiſhing the graces of God in them. Iudg. 1.7. Gene. 16.4. Heſter. 1.4. & 5.11. Dan. 4.27.
2 As when two wreſtle together, if the one can lift the others feete from the ground, he wil eaſily giuegive him a fall: So the diuell, if he by Pride can lift vp our feete from the ground, he will eaſily giuegive vsus a fall.
3 As when Moſes and Aaron, threw the handfulls o… duſt into the ayre, thereof came botches and biles: Euen ſo when we that are but duſt and aſhes, are exalted in th… Pride of our heart, thereof commeth botches and biles in our hearts. Exod. 9.8, 9, 10.
God heares not our Prayes alwayes.
AS the Phyſition, who goes on to launch the wound, and heares not the patient though hee crie neuer ſo, till the cure bee ended: Euen ſo God heare not our Prayers alwayes, according to our wills and deſires, but according as the things asked ſhall be for our ſaluation.
Penitent heart.
AS the begger is alwaies mending and peecing his garment, where hee finds a breach: So the Penitent and beleeuing heart, muſt alwayes be exerciſed in repayring it ſelfe where it findes a want.
Faire Promiſes.
AS they which hauehave nothing to feede on but the wind, doo famiſh and pine away, and ſo periſh: So likewiſe they which are fed with faire Promiſes, and ſet their hope and confidence in the defence of men, are deceiued, and left deſtitute in their moſt need.
Perſeuerance to the end.
1 AS the prize or beſt game for running, cannot be obtained of any that either runne not, or elſe giuegive ouer afore they bee at the end of their race: So likewiſe none can attaine the celeſtiall Crown of glorie, but they which Perſeuer in the right race of Chriſtianitie, vntounto the end. 1. Cor. 9.24.
2 As they which runne in a race, hauing onelyonly regard to the reward of themſelues, as light & as nimble as they can, and therefore throw away whatſoeuer is heauie, or may hinder their ſwiftneſſe: So godly Chriſtians in their courſe to heauen, hauing that glorie onelyonly before their eyes, ſhould throw ſinne from them, which like an heauie burthen hangeth vppon them, and whatſoeuer elſe may hinder them in the way & courſe to life euerlaſting. Hebr. 12.1.
People.
AS there is nothing more mooueable and vnconſtant then waters, and when they be once ſtirred vp, then they bee furious and outragious: Euen ſo the common folke or People, are alſo mooueable and vnconſtant; and being mooued are outragious and mad.
People imitate their Prince.
1 AS the Sea (eſpecially that, which is called Mare mediterraneum) is wont to imitate the ayre, as if the ayre be calme, the Sea is very calme alſo; if the ayre be ſtormie, the Sea alſo is very ſtormie: Euen ſo the common ſort of People, in all places for the moſt part, doo followe their Prince; if Princes be iuſt, ſubiects louelove iuſtice; if the Prince be vngodly, they imbrace vngodlineſſe.
2 As a brooke doth follow the nature of the fountaine, from whence it commeth: So People doo follow the diſpoſition of their Prince; the fountaine being troubled, the brooke is troubled alſo; and the Prince diſquieted, the People find no peace. Math. 2.3.
The Proſperitie of this world.
AS the cleareneſſe of winter weather, the calmeneſſe of the Sea, and ſtabilitie of the Moone, doo wauer, and be ſuddenly chaunged: So likwiſe the ſtate of wealth and worldly things, hath no firmeneſſe, no perpetuitie, and no conſtancie. Iob. 8.9. & 14.2.
Phyſition.
1 AS euerie one cannot heale a ſore, that can make a ſalue: So eueryevery one is not a Phyſition, that make profeſſion of phyſicke.
2 As a blind man cannot ſee the fault of an others eyes: So an vnskilfull Phyſition cannot perceiue the defect of the body.
The Pope that whore of Babilon.
LIke as Chriſt was ſaid to come out of Edome, coloured with the bloud of his enemies; noting thereby the reuenge he ſhould take of the Edomites: Euen ſo the Pope the whore of Babilon, is dyed and coloured with the bloud of Gods children; yea ſhe is ſaid to be drunke with their bloud as with drinke; ſhewing that ſhee makes no more account of ſhedding the bloud of the ſeruants of God, then the drunken man make of powring in drinke, or the fiſhes water. Reue. 17.4, 5, 6.
Women Painting themſelues.
1 LIke as when a Painter hath finiſhed a peece of work, and an other comming in ſhould therto ſet his hand, and lay on other colours, it would diſpleaſe him: Euen ſo likewiſe, much more will God our Creator be offended, when a mortall woman, whome himſelfe hath created, ſhall by Painting her face, take vppon her to correct the Image and workmanſhip of her God. 2 King. 9.30.
2 As a woman of diſcretion, will in no wife marre her naturall complexion, to recouer it with ſlime, or artificial traſh: So ought the Husband in no ſort to be conſenting to her filthie ſpunging, proyning, Painting, polliſhing, and to ſuch like follies.
Poore men feare they God neuer ſo much, are little ſet by in this world.
EVen as Doues doo louelove, and delight in houſes that be faire whited, and doo willingly frequent ſweete and pleaſant places, but contemne and flie from blacke, foule, and vnſauorie Cottages: So likewiſe faithleſſe and vntruſtie friends, doo hunt and ſeeke after the friendſhip of thoſe men, by whoſe wealth and riches, they may be holpen, releeued, and enriched; but men in pouertie, and diſtreſſed perſons, vnable to fill their bellies, to cloath their backes, or otherwiſe to pleaſure them, with ſome worldly things, they vtterly deſpiſe, they care not for their companie, their louelove, nor friendſhip, feare they God neuer ſo much.
Papiſts profeſſe God in word, but denie him in their doings.
AS Rat-catchers, who vſe to take fine bread, ſcraped cheeſe, butter, and ſome Suger, and therewith doo mingle Rats baine, to the end to allure the Rats to eate the ſecret and hidden poyſon, to their deſtruction: So the Papiſts, in the beginning of all their Prayers, they ſay, Almightie and euerlaſting God, &c. And at the latter ende of their prayers, they ſay; through our Lord Ieſus Christ: but betweene the beginning and ending, there is thruſt in, the merites, paſsions, ſufferings, interceſsions, and meditations of Saints, that through them, their ſufferings, bloud ſheadings, merites, and holineſſe, we ſhould obtaine heauen, and life euerlaſting, to our ſaluation. Thus like murtherers, and poyſoners of Chriſtian ſoules, and that vnderunder pretence of Gods name, and Chriſts name, they deceiue the ſimple and ignorant people.