A Treasury of Similes, Part S · Part 25 – Part 31
Sinne.
1 LIke as that mans diſeaſe is moſt perillous, which lyes ſicke, and feeles not his ſickneſſe, nor cannot complaine of one part more then an other (for then the diſeaſe hath equally troubled the whole bodie): So likewiſe they which lie wallowing in ſin, ſo forgetting God and all goodneſſe, that they feele no remorſe of conſcience for their ſinnes, are deſperate, and almoſt paſt all recouerie.
2 As vertue muſt be imbraced in heart, in affection, in countenance, word, and deed, or elſe we are found breakers of the Lawe of God: So likewiſe Sinne muſt be abſtained from, as wel in heart, in affection, in countenance, and word, and alſo in deed.
3 Like as the dead body lies rotten and ſtinking in the graue, fearefull, and loathſome to looke on, and grieuous to remember: Euen ſo when we lie buried in Sinne, wee ſtinke in the ſight of God, he cannot abide to looke on vsus, nor will remember vsus.
4 And as when the body lyeth on ſleepe in the bed, (which is an Image of our graue) can neither ſee, feele, heare, taſte, ſmell, vnderſtand, nor yet mooue out of the place, vntill it be awaked, nor can take any pleaſure at all, in any one creature of God: So we when we lie ſleeping and wallowing in Sinne, wee neither ſee the maieſtie of God, with the eyes of our faith, nor feele his mercies offered vntounto vsus, in and by his deare Sonne our Lord and Sauiour Chriſt Ieſus; nor yet can taſte at all how ſweete the Lord is; our eares are ſtopped from hearing good counſell; wee perceiue nothing at all of Gods goodneſſe towards vsus; his word is not ſauerie vntounto vsus, neither yet be wee mooued or ſtirred vp to doo any one good worke of charitie. Rom. 13.11.
5 Like as Carrion dooth not onelyonly ſmell euill it ſelfe, but infects all that come neare it: So likewiſe that man that is defiled with any notorious Sinne, doth not onelyonly defile all things that he takes in hand, but all ſuch as keepe him companie; ſo that Sin hath greater force and ſtrength to defile other things, then goodneſſe hath to make other things holy. 1. Cor. 15.33. 2. Timo. 2.16, 17. Rom. 6.23.
6 As a beaſt ouer-laden, is readie to ſinke vnderunder his burden, except there bee preſent helpe at hand to eaſe him: Euen ſo wee are in daunger to ſincke into the pit of perdition, by reaſon of our great and grieuous burden of Sinne, except wee flie to Chriſt, who onelyonly and alone can vnburden vsus, and eaſe and refreſh vsus. Math. 11.28.
7 Like as if wee doo ſuſpect any vncleanneſſe in vsus, wherefore the Prince, or any Noble man, ſhould loath or abhorre the ſight of vsus, wee would take great paines to remoue & put it away: Euen ſo, much more we ought with all diligence and ſpeede that may bee, to put away that vnclean Sinne and filthineſſe, that doth ſeperate, and make diuiſion betwixt vsus and God; and that hideth his face from vsus, that he will not heare vsus. Eſay 59.2. Iere. 5.25.
8 Like as if there were an Apoſtume about the ſtomack of a man, or in his bowells, it would be neuer a whit the worſe for him if it were ſeene, that it might be launced: Euen ſo, that man that thinketh himſelfe to be whole and ſound, becauſe he wil not ſee his ſinne and diſeaſe, he muſt needs be voyd of all wit and reaſon.
9 Like as a man that hath a diſeaſe or ſoare in his bodie, before hee can be cured of it, hee muſt ſee it, feele the paine of it, and be in feare leaſt it bring him into danger of death; after this, hee ſhall ſee himſelfe to ſtand in need of phiſicke, and he longeth til he be with the Phiſitian; when he is once come to him, hee deſireth him of all loues to help him, and to ſhew the beſt skil he can, he wil not ſpare for any coſt; then hee yeelds himſelfe into the Phiſitians hands, perſwading himſelf, that by Gods bleſſing, he both can and will helpe him; after this, he comes to his former health againe: So in like manner, euerie man is wounded with the deadly wound of Sinne, at the very heart; and he that would be ſaued and eſcape damnation, muſt ſee his Sinne, be ſorrowfull for it, and vtterly diſpaire of his owne ſtrength, to attaine ſaluation thereby: Furthermore, hee muſt ſee himſelfe to ſtand in neede of Chriſt, the good Phiſitian of his ſoule; and long after him, and crie vntounto him, with deepe ſighes and grones, for merciemercy; after this, Chriſt Ieſus wil come with a plaiſter of his own heart blood, which being applied, he ſhall finde himſelfe reuiued, and ſhall come to the aſſuraunce of the forgiueneſſe of all his ſinnes. Pſal. 51.1, 3, 8, 12, 17.
10 As a man that hath loſt wife, goods and children, ſhould be much grieued: So hee that hath committed great Sinnes, ought to bee as a man bruſed betweene the wall and the doore.
11 Like as a man is more to bee blamed, which goeth out of his way in the cleare Sunne at nonetide, then hee that miſſeth his way by night with a candle: Euen ſo are men, more to be puniſhed for ſuch foule Sinnes, as they commit in the cleare light of the Goſpell, then in the time of the Law.
12 As of clouds, when they be vaniſhed away, there is nothing ſeene: Euen ſo the Sinnes of God people, when hee forgiueth them, are clearely put both out of ſight and remembrance. Eſay. 44.22.
13 As Opium, Hennebane, and other things extreamely cold, hide not paine, but make the body ſo aſtonied for a time, that he feeleth not the paine; but afterward when it commeth to it feeling, the diſeaſe and paine is commonly more grieuous then before: So Sinne and want of zeale, &c. hide not from torment of conſcience; but make the ſoule ſo aſtonied for a time, that it feeleth not the torment; yet afterward when it commeth to his feeling againe, the torment is more deſperate then before.
14 As it would not auaile or profit a Citie, diligently to watch at one gate, and keepe it ſhut againſt the enemie, if in the meane while al the reſt ſtood wide open to him: So likewiſe it is to no purpoſe, to keepe ourſelues from one Sinne or vice, vnleſſe we make account, and conſcience, to abandon our ſelues from all other vices.
15 Like as Surgions, when they muſt cut off any part of the body, vſe to lay playſters to it, to mortifie it, that being without ſenſe and feeling, it may bee cut off with leſſe paine: Euen ſo in like manner, we are to vſe all helpes and remedies preſcribed in the word, which ſerue to weaken or kil Sinne, that in death it may be aboliſhed. 1. Cor. 9.27. Gal. 5.24. Col. 3.5. 2. Timo. 2.21.
16 As a debt doth binde a man, either to make ſatisfaction, or elſe to goe to priſon: So likewiſe our Sinnes binds vsus, either to ſatisfie Gods iuſtice, or elſe to ſuffer eternall damnation.
17 As we ſee by experience that a ſhip which leaketh, is more eaſily emptied at the beginning, then afterward: Or as a ruinous houſe, the longer it is let runne, the more charge and labour will it require in the repairing: Or as we ſee that if a man driue a naile with a hammer, the moe blowes hee giueth to it, the more hard it is to plucke it out againe: Euen ſo that man that committeth Sinne vppon Sinne, and by perſeuerance therein, thinketh to finde the redreſſe thereof more eaſie hereafter, then now, is greatly deceiued.
18 As a riuer that glideth and runneth very ſwiftly, vntill there bee a damme or beame put ouertwhart; then it makes a ſwelling, and a roaring, neither by any meanes will be quiet: So mans Sinfull life doth paſſe quietly without any noyſe, till the beame of Gods iuſtice ouertwhat him.
19 As a round bowle, throwne downe a ſteepe hil, neuer ceaſeth or ſtayeth, till it come to the foote & bottome thereof: So likewiſe mans corruption, of it ſelfe (as prone to Sinne, as a bowle to runne downe a hill) neuer ceaſeth to ſinne, till it receiue the reward thereof, which is death. Rom. 6.23.
20 As Gun-powder, and a rotten tree fired at the roote, neuer ceaſeth burning till they bee all conſumed: So the wicked will neuer giuegive ouer their Sinning, till all hope of eternall life be vtterly taken away.
21 As Tinder catcheth the leaſt ſparke, and is kindled thereby: So likwiſe out corrupt nature, is eaſily prouoked and drawne to Sinne.
22 As the Viper conceaueth her young to her owne death: So alſo man admitteth Sinne into his heart, but to his owne great hurt.
23 Like as the Midwife is buſie about a woman in trauaile, to bring forth the child into the world: So buſie alſo is Sathan, vntil he hath brought forth the monſtrous birth of Sinne in mens conuerſations.
24. As huge as the Sea is, yet one may taſte the faltneſſe of it in a drop: So likewiſe in one Sinne, we may ſee how ill fauoured the reſt be. Rom. 13.13.
25 As the forbidden nee, when it promiſed our parents knowledge, tooke their knowledge from them: So euerie Sinne giueth other wages then it promiſeth. Gene. 3.6.
26 Like as if a man paſſe by ſome high daungerous place, in the night when he cannot ſee, hee is not afraid, but if yee bring him backe againe in the day, and let him ſee what a ſteepe and daungerous way he came, hee will not bee brought the ſame way againe for any thing: So it is in Sinning, for men liuing in ignoraunce and blindneſſe, practiſe any wickedneſſe, and doo not care for Gods iudgements; but when God of his goodneſſe bringeth them backe, and openeth their eyes to ſee the downfall to the pit of Hell, and the iudgements of God due to their Sinnes; then (ſay they) they will neuer Sinne as they hauehave done, but become new men, and walke in the way to eternall life.
27 As it is the nature of a Canker, or Gangreene, to runne from one ioynt to an other, from toe to the foote, from the foote to the legge, from the legge to the thigh, till it hauehave waſted and deſtroyed the life of the body: Euen ſo, we giuegive Sinne but an entrance, it will ſoone ouer if ſpread the whole man; and if the diuell may bee ſuffered, but to put one talent in our hearts, he will preſently wind himſelfe into vsus, his head, his body and all.
28 As men which worke in mynes, and coale-pits, vnderunder the earth, are troubled with nothing ſo much as with dampes, which make their candle burne darke; and ſomtimes put it quite out: Euen ſo euerie mans Sinnes are the dampes of his heart; which when they take place, doo dimme the light of his iudgment, and caſt a myſt ouer his mind, and darken his vnderſtanding and reaſon.
29 Like as if a man ſhould commit ſuch an heinous offence, as that he could no other way eſcape death, but by the Princes pardon; he neither would nor could be at reſt, til by one meanes or other he had obtained the ſame, and had gotten it written and ſealed; which done, hee would carrie it home, locke it vp ſafe and ſound, and many times looke vponupon it with great ioy and gladneſſe: Euen ſo, ſuch is the caſe of euerie one of vsus; by nature we are rebels and traitours againſt God, and hauehave by our Sinnes deſerued tenne thouſand deathes; now our only ſtay and refuge is; that Chriſt the Sonne of God was condemned for vsus, and therfore in Chriſt we muſt ſue for pardon at Gods hands, and neuer reſt till we hauehave the aſſurance thereof ſealed vp in our hearts and conſciences; alwayes remembring, that euer after wee lead a new life, and neuer commit the like Sinnes againſt God any more.
30 Like as if a man ſhould be ſo farre in debt that hee could not be freed, vnleſſe the ſuretie ſhould bee caſt into priſon for his ſake; nay, which is more, bee cruelly put to death for his debt, it would make him at his wits end, and his very heart to bleed: So likewiſe is the caſe with vsus, by reaſon of our Sinnes; we are Gods debters, yea bankrupts before him, yet hauehave wee gotten a good ſuertie, euen the Sonne of God himſelfe, who to recouer vsus to our former libertie, was crucified for the diſcharge of our debt. Math. 18.23. &c. Ezech. 12.10.
31 As the Iuie by litle and little creepeth vponupon the Oke, till at the laſt he doth ouer-grow and deſtroy the Oke: So likewiſe doth Sinne by little and little get vp, and get the ſtrongeſt, and mightieſt men ſometimes vnderunder him; as it did Salomon, and Dauid, and Peter, and diuers others, for al their wiſedome, and learning, and iudgement, and experience, which they had both of themſelues, and of the world.
32 As a litle Leauen ſowreth the whole lumpe of dow; Or as a little fire, whereof but one ſparke is ſufficient to kindle a great fire, and to burne downe a whole Citie: Or as a tree, whoſe ſtubbes remaining in the ground, are enough to giuegive one a fall: Or as Iezabel that painted harlot, whoſe very remnants, as the ſchull of her head, and the plames of her hands, muſt be buried, leaſt they infect the ayre: Or as a Mote in the Sunne is but a little thing, and yet enough to hinder the ſight, to paine the eye, and to trouble the whole body: Or a hayre is but a little thing, yet enough to ſtiffle a man: Or as the flies of Egypt were but little things, yet none of the leaſt plagues: Or as the lice were leſſe thē the flies, yet one of the greateſt plagues, that came vntounto Egypt: Euen ſo, ſuch be our Sinnes, which wee call little Sinnes, and the Papiſts call veniall Sinnes, that may bee waſhed away with a little holy water, &c. we count them little and nothing, and not to be ſtood vponupon, nor once to bee touched; but in time we may prooue them, to bee the greateſt plagues that will trouble vsus, if ſecurely and raſhly we venture vponupon them. 2. King. 9.30. &c. Exod. 8.16, 21.
33 As a moth-eaten garment, and worm-eaten wood, hath no more vſe, but to be caſt away, the one to the dūghill, the other to the fire: Euen ſo no more vſe with God, hath a ſoule moath-eaten, and worme-eaten with Sinne, but to be caſt out of Gods preſence into the fire.
34 As wee are loth to hauehave our wounds often grated vppon, and cannot well away to hauehave our ſoares rifled, ſeared, launced; but rather couet to hauehave them fed with healing ſalue: So likewiſe we are hardly brought to hauehave our conſciences ground, or our Sinnes ranſacked, ſifted, ſearched, and ripped vp; but rather we could wiſh to hauehave them playſtered with ſweete promiſes, and bathed in the mercies of God.
35 As it is farre ſafer before incarnatiue and healing medicines, to vſe coroſiue and mundifying waters, without which, though ſome ſores may ſeeme to cloſe and skinne vp apace, yet they prooue worſe, and bee rotten ſtill at the coare; they hauehave aboue a thinne skinne, and vnderneath rotten fleſh: So in like manner, wee would cloake, hide, and couer our Sinnes, as it were with a Curtaine; but it is more ſound Chirurgerie and diuinitie, to hauehave our conſciences pricked, and pierced with the burning yron of the Lawe; and ſo to cleanſe the wound of our ſoule, by ſharpe threatning, leaſt that skinne beeing pulled ouer the conſcience for a while, wee lament the rotten corruption, which remaines vncured vnderneath, and ſo wee be conſtrayned to crie out of our Sinnes openly.
36 As it is a folly, then to diſſemble our ſoares, whilſt they bee curable, and after to make them knowne, when they be vncurable: Euen ſo it is a great follie to diſſemble our Sinnes, whilſt they may be remedied; and ſo after to bee conſtrayned to blaze them all abroad, when they are remedileſſe.
37 As wilde beaſts, who ſo long as they are ſleeping, ſtirre not, but being awaked, they flie in a mans face, and rend out his throate: Euen ſo in like manner, the Sinnes which a man committeth, lies at the doore of his heart, though hee feele them not; and if he doo not preuent the daunger by ſpeedie repentance, God will make him to feele them once before hee die; and rayſe vp ſuch terrours in his conſcience, that he ſhall thinke himſelfe to be in hell, before hee be in hell; and therefore it is good for euerie man to take heede how he continues an enemie to Chriſt. Gene. 4.7.
38 As men may be too carefull in ſeeking after Phyſitions, to remoue the diſeaſes of their bodies: So may they be too too careleſſe in ſeeking after Chriſt, to remoue the Sinnes of their ſoules.
39 As the body is ſoone hurt with wounds, but it is not cured but with much griefe and torments: So the ſoule is ſoone wounded with Sinne, but it is not ſo ſoone or eaſily healed.
40 Like as it is eaſier for one to hold a ſtone, whilſt hee hath it, then to recouer it when it is fallen out of his hand: So it is eaſier to preuent and eſchew Sinne, then to recall or hide it once committed.
41 As in a Well, except there be ſome water in it, we cannot eaſily ſee the baggage that lieth in the bottome: So in the depth of the heart, without teares we cannot ſee our Sinnes; for the leſſer our ſorrowes are, the greater are our Sinnes.
42 As hee that waxeth pale, and is afraid of the hiſſing and biting of a Viper, and dooth runne to the Phyſition: Euen ſo much more is filthie Sinne, to bee abhorred and feared, which hath worſer poyſon then all Vipers, and much more ſooner ought medicines, and a remedie to be ſought for it.
43 As when wee walke and liue according to Gods word, and in his feare, wee goe to God, to heauen, and to euerlaſting life: So by Sinning, in lieu of going forward, we ſlip backe and draw towards death.
44 As hee that flieth from his enemies that purſueth him, in lieu of ſauing: himſelfe in ſome towne, turneth backe towardes them, and ſo putteth himſelfe into their hands: Euen ſo we cannot turne back; that is to ſay, offend God, but with this condition, that we ſhall fall into ruine, and euerlaſting perdition.
45 As he which is fallen into a deepe Caue, cannot ſo eaſily get out, as he fell in: So it is eaſie to Sinne, but not ſo eaſie to be rid of it againe.
46 As we are all angrie with Adam, becauſe he obeyed his wife rather then God: So we muſt be angrie with our ſelues for our Sinnes, in that we ſtudie to obey and pleaſe our fleſh and men, more then God.
47 As God did allow the good things, and euer had ſomewhat to ſay, for the euill that hee found in the ſeuen Churches: So will his maieſtie reckon with vsus, for all our Sinnes, not onelyonly of omiſſion, but commiſſion, although hee doo finde ſome, yea many good things amongſt vsus. Reue. 2.1. &c.
48 As he who taketh a taſte of Honie, is eaſily drawne on by ſweetneſſe of it, to eate of it to his great hurt: So the pleaſure of Sinne being once felt and enioyed, wil not afterwards be eaſily reiected and contemned.
49 As the Marchant venturer, hauing receiued a great loſſe by Sea; or the Souldier a great wound in battaile, often become deſperate, and careleſſe of their owne eſtate: So in like manner, a Chriſtian by committing ſome grieuous Sinne, is brought to this paſſe, that hee layeth aſide the care and ſtudie of holineſſe, and letteth all goe at ſixe and ſeuen.
50 As one hauing a weake conſtitution of body, beeing in ſafetie, and as we ſay out of gunſhot, is liker to liue, then the ſtrongeſt man being in battaile in the middeſt of his enemies: Euen ſo a weake man being out of temptation, and auoiding occaſions of Sinne, is liker to ſtand, then he who raſhly ruſheth vponupon the pikes, and hath many occaſions of ſinning; although in his minde, affection, and purpoſe, he doo more abhorre from Sinne, and ſo hauehave a greater meaſure of the contrarie grace, then the other.
51 Euen as men doo moſt fortifie by Art, thoſe places of their Townes and Cities, which are weakeſt by nature; and flocke thither a pace to defend, wher they ſee the enemie moſt buſie in aſſaulting: So the care in auoiding Sin, by conſidering the nature & effectes of it, and by eſchewing the occaſions of it, ought to be exerciſed chiefly in regard of thoſe ſinnes; and the occaſions of them, where vntounto we know our ſelues naturally inclined, to the which we are oftneſt tempted, and hauehave oftneſt yeelded.
52 As that Citie, which is continually beſieged and aſſaulted, cannot but bee taken at length, at one time or other; as they who hauehave the care and defence of it committed vntounto them, cannot but ſometimes remit of their diligence, and bee ouertaken with ſleepe, drinke, forgetfulneſſe, faire promiſes & pretenſes, or by ſome ſuch meanes: So wher the corruption of Sinne, is continually working in the heart, it cannot be, but that it ſhould at one place or other, vppon one occaſion or temptation or other, burſt forth into open Sinne.
53 As a moſt naughtie Roote, beeing not plucked vp out of the ground, doth continually grow, and bud more and more: Euen ſo Sinne, when wee cheariſh it, doth get dayly newe ſtrength vntounto it, vntill a monſtrous floud of Sinnes hauehave ouercome vsus.
54 Like as when one man ſtandeth bound to an other for the performance of diuers couenants, if he breake but one, yet he forfaiteth his bond; but if hee breake two, three, or moe of the couenants, then is not onelyonly his bond forfeited, but alſo the Lawe hath more force and vauntage againſt him, to condemne him: Or as hee that ſtandeth bound to an other, for the payment of a peece of money at a certaine day, and breaketh his day, is yet neuertheleſſe ſtill indebted, although the Creditor doo not ſtraightway ſue his bond, but of good will forbeareth him for a time: Euen ſo by euerie Sinne, we encreaſe our debt to God, for if we breake one title of Gods Law, and faile in one point, we are guiltie of all, and hauehave forfaited our Obligation; but if we of purpoſe, and willingly, heap Sinne vponupon Sinne, and as it were make an Art of ſinning, our cōdemnation ſhal then be the greater. And although the Lord in his merciemercy forbeareth for a time, to take puniſhment of vsus for our Sinnes, to the end to mooue vsus to repentance, yet ſtand we ſtill debters vntounto him, and are to yeeld an account for the ſame, at his good pleaſure. Iam. 2.10. Deut. 28.58. Rom. 2.4.
55 As that Steward, that doth ſpend and waſt his maiſters ſubſtance, without regard, and neuer looketh to his debt booke; the body of ſuch a one is commonly laid in priſon: Euen ſo he that neuer trieth himſelfe by the Law of God, neither in the firſt nor ſecond Table, ſhall be placed there (as Chriſt ſaith) where the worme dieth not, where ſhall bee weeping and gnaſhing of teeth; for by euerie Sinne and tranſgreſſion, we doo encreaſe our debts, which God will requeſt of vsus, except wee craue of him with a liuely faith, pardon of them. Mar. 9.44, 46. Math. 22.13. Reue. 19.20.
Sacramentall ſigne.
1 AS the word is all one to the euill as to the good: So the Sacramentall ſignes, bee common as well to the euill as to the godly; but yet neither the one part, or the other, dooth helpe any thing at all, to ſuch as are voide of faith.
2 As men bind themſelues in Obligations, putting too their hands and ſeales, ſo as they cannot goe backe: Euen ſo, when God commaunds vsus, to receiue Sacramentall ſignes in faith, and withall, promiſeth to the receiuers, to giuegive the thing ſignified; hee bindes himſelfe, as it were in bond vntounto vsus, to ſtand to his owne word.
Sinne which is committed of frailtie, differeth from Apoſtaſie, and backſliding.
LIke as it is one thing, to ray a bodies feete after they be waſhed; and an other matter to goe tumble all the body againe in filth and myre like Swine: Or as it is not all a like, when a woman dooth ſometime offend hir Huſband, as when ſhee breaketh her faith and bond of wedlocke, and ſetteth her ſelfe quite out from all the honeſt knot of wedlocke: Euen ſo it is one thing ſimply to Sinne, which the children of God alſo doo; and an other matter, vtterly to fall and runne backe from the grace of God, and to mocke and crucifie Chriſt a new, which the reprobate doo, and not the elect. Iohn. 1.8, 10. & 2.1. Hebr. 6.4, 5, 6. & 10.26.
A Sacraments are witneſſes of the truth.
LIke as the chiefe end of Sacraments is this, that they are teſtimonies to confirme the truth, by which the Lord in his Church, euen viſibly dooth teſtifie, that the things now vttered by preaching of the Goſpell, and by the promiſes aſſured to the faithfull, from the begining of the world, are in eueryevery point ſo brought to paſſe, and are ſo certainely true, as they are declared, and promiſed in the word of truth: Euen ſo Baptiſme is the heauenly and publike witneſſe of the Church of Chriſt, whereby the Lord teſtifieth that it is he which receiueth men freely into fauour, and which clenſeth from all blemiſhes, and to be ſhort, maketh vsus partakers & heires of al his goodneſſe.
Schooles.
1 AS a man that hath diuers Orchards, will alſo hauehave a Semenarie full of yong plants to maintaine it: Euen ſo Schooles, which are as Seminaries to Gods Church, without which the Church fails to decay, ought to bee maintained; becauſe they ſerue to make ſupplie of Miniſters.
2 As trayning makes Dogs fit for hunting: So Schools and learning, makes nature profitable.
The holy Scripture aboue the Church.
1 AS the Sunne is cleare and bright, not becauſe that men doo iudge it to be ſo, but rather men do iudge it to be ſo, becauſe it is ſo indeed, and can iudge of it none otherwiſe: Euen ſo the holy Scriptures, contained in the canonicall bookes of the old and new Teſtament, are the infallible worde of the liuing God; not becauſe the Church dooth iudge and allow it to bee ſo, but rather the true Catholike Church, doth iudge and allow it to be ſo, becauſe that it is ſo indeed: & can iudge of it none otherwiſe; no more then the cleare and bright eyes, can iudge of the light and brightneſſe of the Sunne; of the which the blind can giuegive no iudgement; euen as the vnfaithfull and reprobate, can giuegive no iudgement of the word of God, nor yet allow it.
2 As the Lawes of Princes ruling by Iuſtice, ought to be receiued, profeſſed, and practiſed of all their ſubiects: Euen ſo much more the Church ought to bee gouerned by the Lawes of Chriſt, her Lord and King.
3 As the Lawes and ordinances giuen by Moſes, who was but a ſeruant; might not bee abrogate, chopped, or chaunged of any mortall creature, without the diſpleaſure of the Almightie: Euen ſo, much leſſe, thoſe Lawes and ordinances of the Lord Ieſus, beeing the chiefe Lord and ruler ouer all. Deut. 27.26. Gal. 3.10. Iohn. 10.4, 5. & 16.13, 14.
Schoolemaiſter.
1 AS it is the part of a good Husband, to vnderſtand the nature and fertilitie of the ground, which he dooth till: So it is the part of a good Schoolemaiſter, to diſcerne the diſpoſition and nature of his Scholler.
2 As Prometheus did make marueilous Images, ſuch as none other euer could: So a wiſe, diſcreete and learned Schoolemaiſter, prepares to a child of an excellent wit, that which an ignorant and vnlearned Maiſter vtterly deſtroyeth.