A Treasury of Similes, Part S · Part 43 – Part 78
Sonnes by adoption.
1 LIke as if a King or Noble-man, ſhould of meere louelove and fauour take in a begger, nay a Traytor, and make him his heire: Euen ſo God did with vsus, and ſuch fauour did he freely ſhewe to ſo many of the ſonnes of Adam, as it pleaſed him to adopt, and ſo to make them his children. 1. Iohn. 3.1. Iohn. 1.12. Rom. 8.14.
2 As Iaball the ſonne of Adah, the wife of Lamech, is called the father of ſuch as dwell in Tents, for he was the firſt inuenter of Tents: And Iuball his brother, is alſo called the father of ſuch as play vponupon Harpes, and vponupon Orgains or Pipes: yet we may not therefore call the Tentes, Iabales children; and the Orgains and Pipes, the ſonnes of Iuball: Euen ſo God is called the father of the reprobate, but metaphorically, becauſe hee firſt created them; but yet they can no more be called the adopted Children of God, then the Tents might be called the Children of Iaball, or the Harpes and Organes, the children of his brother Iuball. Gene. 4.20, 21.
3 As the Sunne, which ſometime ſhineth and ſendeth foorth her light, diſperſing the clouds, and ſometimes againe is hidden vnderunder the cloudes: Or as the Sea is one while ebbing, and an other while flowing: Or as the Moone is ſometimes waxing, and ſometimes waning: Euen ſo the adopted children of God, by reaſon of their manifolde corruptions, imperfections, and rebellious thoughts of their harts, hauehave not the ſpirit of God alwaies felt in themſelues, nor perceiued in them by others in a like meaſure; but it is in them, ſomtimes in a greater meaſure, ſometimes in a leſſe.
4 Like as Trees planted by the water ſide, which doo bring foorth fruit in due ſeaſon, yet the ſame Trees hauehave both a ſummering and wintring, a ſpring time, and a fall of the leafe; when Winter comes they ſeeme as though they were dead, but in Summer they ſhall waxe freſh and greene againe; and yet the fruit of the ſame Trees are firſt in the ſap onelyonly, then it commeth into buds, and ſo into bloſſomes; whereof ſome are ſmitten with blaſtings, ſome are nipped with froſt and cold, and ſome are eaten with Wormes; but if they eſcape all theſe, then from bloſſomes, they come to bee Apples: and at the firſt they are greene and liuely, and ſome doo luſt to eate them, but they are ſtill hard and harſh, but in time they come to their full growth: And when they are ripe, then are they either ſhaken downe with the wind, and Swine deuour them: Or if they bee fairely gathered; yet are they pluckt from the Tree that hath borne them, then are they bought and ſolde, whereof ſome periſhe and are caſt out of doores: The faireſt and the ſweeteſt, are brought either to the fire to bee roaſted, or to the Table to be pared and cut in peeces, and ſo to be eaten; then the tree is naked and ſeemeth to be dead, but the next Spring doo fetch all againe: So likewiſe are the fruites of the ſpirit in the adopted children of God; firſt in the ſap of faith onelyonly, which is hidden in the heart: then it commeth into good thoughts; then into good workes by degrees; but many times they are nipped and ſmitten in the bud, or in the bloſſome; that is, either in thoughts, or words, that they neuer come to workes. The workes likewiſe of the Sonnes of God, are at the firſt faire and freſh, but yet hard and harſh; and when they are come to any perfection, they are either wind-ſhaken and deuoured by beaſtes, or ſmitten with perſecution; then are they bought and ſold, and euerie man handleth them as they liſt: In a word, the faireſt, the pleaſanteſt, and the beſt of our workes, muſt be pared and picked for daintie mouthes, and queaſie ſtomackes, and in the end conſumed of all; and then are our labours come to their perfection, whether they bee of the Church or Common-wealth; and then do many of Gods children, thinke themſelues naked and dead, and there is no cauſe why they ſhould; for their fruits whether they periſh in the bud, or in the bloſſome, or in the ripening, or howſoeuer they be handled; yet they prooue that the ſap of Gods ſpirit is in them; & the next ſpring of Gods grace will fetch all againe. Pſal. 1.3.
5 As men ſay of fruit, this is but little, but it is good; here be not many of them, but thoſe that are of them, are very daintie, they are right, of ſuch and ſuch a kind: Euen ſo the adopted children of God may ſay; My faith is but litle and weak; my louelove is not ſo much as I would it were; my zeale is but little, and my patience is but ſmall; but it is true faith, and true louelove, and true zeale, and true patience, euen from the very heart roote, without diſſembling; O Lord encreaſe it, and ſtrengthen it. Luke. 17.5. Mark. 9.24.
6 As the adopted Sonnes of God, are planted by the miniſterie of the word and ſpirit: Euen ſo they floriſh and abound in fruit by the ſame meanes, as alſo by the Sacraments and prayer, &c. Pſal. 92.13, 14. Rom. 1.17.
7 Like as if a King, Prince, or Nobleman, ſhould make a poore begger borne, his louing Sonne and heire by adoption; hee were greatly bound to louelove him, and to bee thankfull vntounto him for euer: Euen ſo much more wee ought to louelove the Sonne of God Chriſt Ieſus, that hath made vsus Sonnes and heires to his Father, by his death and redemption.
Saluation.
1 AS an Helmet ſaueth the head of a Souldier, in the day of battaile: So Saluation, which commeth from the Lord, ſaueth and protecteth vsus, from the deadly wounds of our ſpirituall aduerſaries. Ephe. 6.17.
2 As the Piſmire prouideth foode in Summer time, to liue by in Winter: So in like maner, we muſt labour to attaine and get Saluation, with the meanes thereof, in the Summer of proſperitie, that ſo wee may liue ſpiritually in the Winter of aduerſitie.
2 As a ſupper is made, when the day draweth to an end: Euen ſo is full Saluation giuen to the godly, about the end of the world.
4 Like as the Infant cannot liue without a Nurſe: So neither can we hauehave Saluation without Chriſt.
The Spirits to be tried.
AS Marchants credite men ſo farre as their wealth and money will reach, but yet truſt not them, that do not keepe their day and credite: Euen ſo in the promiſes that deceiuers make vntounto their fellowes, wee muſt regarde what ground they hauehave for them, and how they can bee performed.
Saluation to be preferred before either profit or pleaſure.
1 AS the eye is marueilous neceſſarie, for the guiding of the whole body, and a member that hardly may bee ſpared, yet if there come daunger vntounto the reſt of the body by it, wee muſt rather ſuffer the loſſe of it, then the whole body ſhould periſh for it: Euen ſo wee are to looſe with contented minds, our deareſt friends, or whatſoeuer commodities of this life, though wee can as hardly ſpare them as our right eye, if they hinder vsus in the way of life and Saluation. Math. 9.47.
2 Like as when a mans foote is ſo ſoare, that it cannot be healed, and putteth the other parts of the body in danger to be infected by it, is wont to be cut off, for the preſeruation of the reſt: Euen ſo when our friends, or any earthly commoditie whatſoeuer, ſhall become hurtfull to our ſoules, and endaunger vsus to looſe life euerlaſting, we muſt then reiect them. Math. 18.8.
They whom God ſetteth on worke muſt needes Speake.
AS when the Lyon roareth, whoſoeuer is within his daunger, cannot chooſe but bee afraid: So when the Lord Speaketh, what Prophet or preacher of his, can hold his peace. Iere. 47.2. Amo. 3.8.
Securitie is the high way to deſtruction.
AS the Oxe, when hee is driuen to the Butchers ſtall, goeth willingly, becauſe his hope is, that he ſhall bee driuen to ſome better Paſture, and neuer feareth vntill the Axe bee readie to be laide vppon his head: Or as a foole when he is led to the ſtockes, goeth chearfully, and neuer feareth vntill his feete bee faſt ſnared therein: So likewiſe many men goe ſecurely forwards, weltering in the broad way, without remorſe of conſcience; perſwading thēſelus that that is the perfect way, becauſe the greateſt number do walke therin, and neuer perceiue their owne folly, vntill till they ſnared in the traps of deſtruction.
A Spirituall man diſcerneth all things.
AS a man of cleare eye-ſight, is able to iudge of colours, and to know one colour from an other: Euen ſo ſuch as are indued with the grace of God, doo as plainely and euidently iudge of Gods word, & trie out the truth thereof, from the deuiſes and doctrines of men.
Scriptures.
1 AS the Lawes muſt bee interpreted, not according to the cenſure and iudgement of them, to whome they were giuen, but after the will and meaning of the Iudge, and Lawgiuer which made them: So the Scriptures muſt bee interpreted by the Scriptures, and the word by the word, and that which is ſpoken obſcurely in one place, by that which is declared and vttered more plainely in an other place.
2 As the Carpenter knowes his Rule to be ſtraight, not by an other Rule applied vntounto it, but by it ſelfe, for caſting his eye vppon it, hee preſently diſcernes whether it bee ſtraight or no: So likewiſe wee knowe and are reſolued, that Scripture is Scripture, euen by the Scripture it ſelfe, though the Church ſay nothing: ſo be it we hauehave the ſpirit of diſcerning, when wee read, heare, or conſider of the Scripture. And yet the teſtimonie of the Church, is not to be deſpiſed, for though it breede not a perſwaſiton in vsus, of the certaintie of the Scripture, yet it is a very good inducement thereto.
3 Like as the Phyſitions in their bookes, doo moſt diligently diſcribe, euen ſuch diſeaſes as are moſt filthy, not to the intent to praiſe & commend them, or els alow thē; but to the end they may bee exactly knowne, and the more perfectly cured: So the holy Scripture in ſundrie places, doth moſt manifeſtly rehearſe miſchieuous deedes, euen ſuch as are to bee abhorred; not to the intent to teach and commaund the ſame; but to the end wee might knowe them the better; and iudge thereof, not according to the fleſh, but according to the ſpirit of God; and alſo that wee might warily auoid them.
4 As the precious ſtone called Drachonites, cannot bee poliſhed, nor needeth any Art or cunning, to make it either trimmer or fairer; for it is both pleaſant and bright of it ſelfe: Euen ſo the holy Scriptures, hath her glorie and brightneſſe of herſelfe, and needeth not the artificiall colours and ſhewes, either of Phyloſophie, Rhethoricke, or any other Art.
5 Euen as the cogitation and ſenſes of man, are moſt hard to bee knowne; yet notwithſtanding, our frindes, whome we feruently louelove, and with whome we are continually conuerſant, doo oftentimes, euen by a becke, open vntounto vsus the cogitations & ſenſes of their minds, without any token of words and ſpeech by them ſpoken: So ſhall it come to paſſe in the holy Scriptures, ſo that a man louelove them, and be continually conuerſant in them; hee which ſeeketh, findeth; vntounto him that knocketh, it ſhall be opened. Deut. 30.11, 12, 13, 14. Prou. 14.6. Math. 11.25. & 13.11.
6 Like as in a Marchants Ship, are caried diuers things neceſſary for mans life: So in the Scriptures are contained all things needful to ſaluation. Ioh. 5.39. & 16.13. & 20.30, 31, 2. Timo. 3.15, 16, 17.
7 As whatſoeuer Gold is without the Temple, is not ſanctified: So whatſoeuer ſenſe is without the holy Scripture, although vntounto ſome it ſeeme wonderful, yet it is not holy, becauſe it is not contained in the ſenſe of the Scripture. Math. 12.3, 4, 5. & 15.7, 8. & 22.31.
The Soule that ſinneth ſhall die.
LIke as euerie man that eateth ſower Grapes, his owne teeth ſhall be ſet on edge: So likewiſe, ſhall euerie one that committeth iniquitie die, not for others, but for his owne ſinne. Ezech. 18.2. Iere. 31.30.
A Sorrowfull man.
AS the Pellicane is wont to keepe alone, and without companie of other Birds, and whoſe voice or ſinging hath no pleaſantneſſe in it: So likewiſe ſuch is the eſtate of a Sorrowfull man, and an heauie hart forſaken of all men, euen of thoſe whome ſometime he tooke to bee his deare friends. Pſal. 102.6.
Impoſsible to Serue God and riches.
AS impoſſible as it is at one and the ſame time, for one man to ſerue two diuers and ſundry Maiſters, for that he cannot be diligent, and imploy himſelfe about and vponupon the buſineſſe of the one, but hee muſt needes neglect the others affaires: So likewiſe impoſſible is it for a man to addict himſelfe to Serue God and riches, or that which belongeth to them. Math. 6.24.
Slouthfull.
1 AS a hedge or good fence of Thorne, is hard to paſſe through: So is euerie way of gaining or getting to the Slouthfull. Prou. 15.19.
2 As Viniger is bad & hurtful to the teeth, and ſmoake noyſome to the eyes: Euen ſo much more hurtfull, then either of both, is a Slouthful ſeruant, to them that ſendeth or ſetteth him about any buſineſſe. Prou. 10.26.
How to carrie our ſelues in Sickneſſe and death.
AS a man that is to paſſe through a great water, dooth not ſo much caſt his eyes vppon the water, as on the bancke, that is on the other ſide: So we alſo in the time of Sickneſſe and death, are not ſo much to reſpect the grieuouſneſſe of the ſame, as that which followeth death, namely life euerlaſting.
Sorrowes.
1 LIke as when a man by bleeding at his noſe, is broght into danger of his life, the Phyſition lets him bloud in an other place, as in the arme, and turnes the courſe of the bloud an other way to ſaue his life: Euen ſo wee muſt turne our worldly Sorrowes; for the loſſe of goods or frindes, to a godly Sorrow for our offences againſt God. 2. Cor. 7.10.
2 As the Moaths doo hurt garments, and Wormes the wood: Euen ſo doth Sorrow and heauineſſe, hurt the hart of man.
3 Euen as filthie matter or rottenneſſe of a boyle, blaine, or puſh, being within the fleſh, doth greatly grieue and vexe ſore the body that is ſicke; but if it breake and runne out, the paine is mittigated: So Sorrow being cloſed and ſhut vp in the heart of man, dooth mightily torment him; but beeing thruſt out, with teares and grones, the heart is ſomewhat eaſed, and the mind a litle pacified. Ezech. 24.16, 17.
4 As a great and thicke ſmoake, vapouring out of a foule blacke fire, vnleſſe it hauehave free paſſage, and ſome vent or way, where through it may goe out, will all too darken, beſtinch, and make blacke the houſe: Euen ſo, Sorrow and griefe, proceeding out of the hot fire of aduerſities and calamities, beeing ſhut vp in the houſe of mans heart, doth make it exceeding blacke, and dooth corrupt it, with blacke and bitter choller, vnleſſe through the mouth or eyes, there be a breathing out of ſighes, fet from the bottome of the heart; and ſtreames of teares trickling downe the cheekes. Yet an effeminate and deſperate wayling, either for the dead, or for any other cauſe, as of men without hope, is vtterly to bee miſliked; and that Stoicall opinion alſo, that a wiſe man ſhould neuer bee mooued, neither with merciemercy, Sorrow, mirth, or anger, is to be auoided.
Securitie cauſeth contempt of Christ.
AS they that are in health, and hauehave no neede of the Phyſition, and therefore ſeeke little or nothing after him: So they that know not the daungerous diſeaſes of their ſoules, but think themſelues in caſe good enough, doo ſeeke little after Chriſt, and ſet little by him. Math. 9.11. Mark. 2.17. Luk. 5.31.
Striuing againſt God.
AS he that beateth his heeles, and kicketh againſt ſharp prickes, dooth nothing but hurt his owne heeles: So he that Striueth againſt God, preuaileth nothing, but harmeth himſelfe. Act. 9.5.
The Stewards reward.
1 AS men be bountiful vntounto ſuch ſeruants, whoſe faithfulneſſe and deligence they hauehave good triall off, as well in their abſence, as preſence; and on the contrarie ſide, they are angrie, ſeuere, and ſharpe, to them which deceiue their expectation, and doo not anſwere the truſt, which is repoſed in them: Euen ſo much more iuſtly, will God put the like difference, in rewarding or puniſhing, the good endeuours or negligence of them, to whome hee hath committed ſeruices of truſt, in his people and Church. Math. 24.45, 46. &c.
2 As men hauehave iuſt cauſe, with more ſharpneſſe, and greater ſeueritie, to puniſh thoſe ſeruants, to whome they hauehave ſhewed their mind and will, and yet their buſineſſe is neglected; then to others, who therefore doo it not, becauſe they know it not: So likewiſe God, to whome ſo euer he hath reuealed moſt, and vppon whome hee hath beſtowed moſt greateſt giftes of knowledge; if notwithſtanding they bee negligent in vſing their giftes, to the profit of Gods Church, them will he moſt ſeuerely and ſharply, aboue all other puniſh. Luk. 12.47, 48.
Seruants of ſinne.
AS men are their ſeruants, to whoſe commandements they yeeld all obedience: Euen ſo if Chriſtians obey ſinne, they are the Seruants of ſin, whoſe wages is death. Rom. 6.16, 22, 23.
Gods Spirit purified.
1 AS cleane water waſheth and maketh cleane our bodies: So the Spirit of God, maketh our hearts and ſoules cleane, in the eyes and ſight of God. Ezech. 36.25.
2 As no man that hath the Spirit of God, can blaſpheme Chriſt and worſhip Idols: So none can acknowledge Chriſt for Lord and God, without the ſame Spirit. 1. Cor. 12.3.
3 As Iohn by the fire and Spirit, meaneth nothing but the Spirit of God, which purgeth and purifieth as the fire doth. Math. 3.11. Euen ſo our Sauiour, by Water and the Spirite, meaning nothing elſe, but the Spirit of God, which cleanſeth the filth of ſinne, and cooleth the boyling heate of an vnquiet conſcience; as water waſheth the thing, which is foule, and quencheth the heate of the fire. Iohn. 3.5.
Sinne maketh our bodies the Diuels dungeon.
LIke as if a man had a faire houſe, wherein he muſt entertaine a King, and ſhould make thereof a Swinſtie, or a ſtable, all men would ſay, that hee did greatly abuſe both the houſe and the King: Euen ſo mans body being at the firſt made a Pallace, for the euerliuing God, if a man ſhal abuſe it by drunkenneſſe, ſwearing, lying, fornication, or any vncleanneſſe, he doth make it in ſtead of a Temple for the holy Ghoſt, to be a ſtie or ſtable for the Diuell. For the more filthie a mans body is, the more fit it is to bee a dwelling place for Sinne and Sathan, 1. Cor. 6.15.
Sathans ſubtiltie.
1 AS Naab the Ammonite, warring againſt the men of Iabes Gilead, would not raiſe his ſiege, but vponupon condition that hee might thruſt out all their right eyes: So Sathan the enemie of our ſoules, who ſeeketh by all meanes poſſible our deſtruction, neuer ceaſeth to aſſault vsus, vntill hee hauehave depriued vsus of the eye of right iudgement, that wee may not ſee our ſaluation in Chriſt Ieſus onelyonly. 1. Sam. 11.2. 1. Pet. 5.8.
2 Like as if men by long experience, and obſeruation of the naturall cauſes, can attaine vntounto ſuch great knowledge of things to come, that they can tell twelue yeares before the change of the Moone, the Eclips of the Sunne, what day, hower, and minute it ſhall bee: Euen ſo much more Sathan (who is a more excellent nature then man, and greater experience) hath knowledge of things to come, for that he hath beene practiſed therein, from the beginning of the world, and is alſo more circumſpect in obſeruing of cauſes, becauſe thereby he deceiueth man, a poore ſimple ſoule.
3 As Amalek reſiſted the children of Iſrael, that they might not enter into the land of Promiſe: So dooth the Diuell with Chriſtians, that they ſhould not enter into heauen. Deut. 25.17. Exod. 17.8, 9.
Spirituall man.
AS a man ſore wounded and diſeaſed, may for a time or ſeaſon, bee depriued almoſt of all operations of the naturall life, to the outward ſhewe of his owne indument and feeling: Euen ſo may a Spirituall man be ſoare wounded by Sathan, and diſeaſed by the preſent ſight and feeling of his ſinfull corruption, ſpecially in temptation; that he may thinke, yea appeare to others, that the life of the ſpirit is not in him.
Impenitent Sinners.
LIke as a Captain that hath taken ſome hold or Sconſe, doth rule and gouerne all therein, and diſpoſeth it at his wil and pleaſure: Euen ſo it is with all blind, ignorant, and impenitent Sinners; not one Diuel alone, but euen legions of Diuels poſſeſſe them, and rule their hearts: and therfore how ſoeuer they may ſooth themſelues, and ſay, all is well, for God is mercifull: yet their caſe is far worſe then Mary Magdalens was, who had bene poſſeſſed with ſeuen Diuels. Mar. 16.9.
Preuenting of Sinne.
1 EVuen as a Father when hee ſees his childe too bolde and venterous about Fire & Water, takes and holds it ouer the fire, or ouer the water, as though hee would burn or drowne it, wheras his purpoſe indeed, is nothing elſe but to preuent daunger for the time to come: So in like maner, Chriſts ſubiects are bolde to ſinne by nature, and therfore to preuent a miſchief, he doth exerciſe them with affliction, and ſeemes for a ſeaſon, as thogh he wold quite forſake his Church; but his meaning is, only to preuent offences in times to come. Hoſea 2.6.
2 As Beaſts, which going in the way ſee green paſtures, and deſire to enter in, and therefore go to the hedge, but feeling the ſharpeneſſe of the thornes, dare not venture to go in: So likewiſe Gods people, like vntounto wilde beaſts, in reſpect of ſinne, viewing the green paſtures of this world, which are the pleaſures therof, are greatly affected therewith: and if it were not for the ſharpeneſſe of croſſes and temptations, which are Gods ſpirituall hedge, by which he keepeth them in, they would raunge out of the way, and ruſh into Sinne, as the Horſe into the battell.
Sentence of condemnation, why ſet downe.
AS a wiſe Father of a family, will check his ſeruant, and if the cauſe require, correct him in his childes preſence, and that the child it ſelfe may learn therby to feare, and ſtand in awe of his father: So likewiſe Chriſt the moſt carefull and wiſe gouernor of his Church, hath ſet downe the Sentence of condemnation againſt the wicked, that the children of God in this world, when ſoeuer they ſhall heare or read the ſame, might be moued thereby to ſtand in great feare of God, and more dutifully performe obedience to his commaundements. Mat. 25.41.
The holy Spirite regenerateth not all.
AS the Sun doth not warme eueryevery thing that it lighteneth: So neither doth the Spirit regenerate, nor draw to the louelove of wiſedome, all which it illuminateth, and to whom he giueth the knowledge of his doctrine, but onelyonly the godly and the faithfull. Math. 24.46.
Mot to grieue the Spirit of God.
1 AS men vſe their gueſts friendly & curteouſly, ſhewing vntounto them all ſeruice & dutie: So likewiſe muſt we do to Gods Spirit, which is to come to dwell & abide in vsus, dooing nothing in any caſe, which may diſquiet or moleſt him. Ephe. 4.30.
2 Like as when the Arke of the couenant, which was a ſigne of the preſence of God, was in the houſe of O bed Edom, then the Lord bleſſed him, and all his houſe: Euen ſo much more when the holy Ghoſt dwelles in any mans heart, there is more then the Arke of the Lord preſent, euen God himſelfe: and therfore ſuch an one, may looke for a greater bleſſing, if he grieue not him by ſinning. 2. Sam. 6.11. 1 Theſ. 5.19.
The vſe of all preſcribed meanes to Saluation, is neceſſary.
1 IF a King ſhould giuegive vntounto one of his ſubiects a Princely Pallace, vponupon condition that he ſhall goe vntounto it, in the way which hee ſhall preſcribe, hee would (no doubt) take what pains he could to know the way, and afterward endeuour to keep & continue in it: So likewiſe the kingdome of heauen, is the moſt glorious and royall Pallace that euer was, and God hath beſtowed the ſame on his Elect: and hee requires nothing at their handes, but that they would turne their faces from this world, and walke vntounto it, in the way which hee hath chalked foorth vntounto them in his word; Therefore if they be deſirous to hauehave Saluation & life euerlaſting, they muſt come forth of the broad way, that leades to deſtruction, and enter into the ſtraight way, that leades to eternal life: they muſt acqaint themſelues with the guides, which are the faithfull Miniſters of the word, that wil cry vntounto them, Here is the way, walke ye in it, when they ſhall goe to the right hand, or to the left.
2 As Simeon going into the Temple by the motion of Gods ſpirit, met with Chriſt: So if we will be ruled with the ſame ſpirit, & frequent holy aſſemblies, we ſhal meete with our Saluation.
Chriſts Spirit.
1 AS the light cannot match with darkeneſſe: So likewiſe Chriſts Spirite cannot accord and match with ſinne, and luſts of the fleſh. 2. Cor. 6.14.
2 As Raine with the moyſture therof fatteth the earth, to make it fruitfull: Euen ſo the holy Spirit, with his inuiſible grace doth make vsus fruitfull, to produce the fruits of righteouſneſſe. Ioh. 7.38.
3 As fire conſumeth euerie thing that it layeth holde on: So the Spirit of God, conſumeth all the corruption of our hearts, and originall ſinne in vsus.
4 As fire giueth light to the bodily eyes: So the Spirit giueth light to the eyes of the ſoule. Ephe. 1.17.
5 As fire giueth life & quickneth thoſe that be benummed with cold: So the Spirit of God, doth quicken and put life into thoſe that be dead in their ſinnes. Ephe. 3.5.16.
6 As a man that made a bargaine, will bee carefull to keep the earneſt pennie, that he looſe not all his bargaine: So alſo muſt we be carefull to keepe the Spirit of God, the earneſt pennie of our ſaluation, that we bee not depriued of the ſame. Ephe. 1.13.
Sacraments.
AS Circumciſion, (which was a Sacrament of the olde Law) was a ſeale in that time to our Fathers of righteouſneſſe: Euen ſo be our Sacraments to vsus in theſe daies, ſeales of Gods promiſes vntounto vsus, and all hauehave one ſtrength and vertue. Rom. 4.11.
Sinne of ſet purpoſe.
AS hee that ſtriketh the King ignorantly, not knowing him to be the King, is nothing in ſo much fault as he that ſtriketh him, knowing it is the King: Euen ſo hee that dooth offend God of ignorance, is to bee leſſe blamed, then he that wittingly and willingly offendeth him. Luk. 12.47, 48.
God giueth vsus vnderſtanding to know the Scripture.
EVen as the Diſciples of our Sauiour Chriſt had no knowledge, nor vnderſtanding, vntil God gaue it thē: So fareth it with al the reſt of Gods children, that althogh they heare neuer ſo much his Apoſtles Preach, yea, Chriſt himſelfe perſonally ſounding in their eares; yet except the Lord open their hearts and minds as he did Lydia, it auaileth not one. Math. 16.17. Act. 16.14.
Sinnes are our greateſt enemies.
1 AS a huge and mightie fire, will bee aſſwaged, and at the length quite put out, if the ſtickes and other matter, that doth cheariſh and increaſe it, be withdrawne and kept from it: So in like manner, our affections and troubles will come to an end, if we doo ceaſe to doo euill, and giuegive ouer ſinning, before it giuegive ouer vsus; for our Sins are as drie ſtickes and ſtubble, wherwith the fire, not onelyonly of the wrath and malice of Infidels and heretikes, but alſo of the wrath and indignation of God, is kindled, increaſed, and moſt mightily ſtirred vp againſt vsus.
2 As wee wonder at the Creator, not onelyonly in great matters, as heauen, earth, the Sunne, Elephants, &c. but alſo in like creatures, as piſmires, lice, wormes, flies, &c. So a ſoule giuen to Chriſt, muſt as wel regard litle as great matters, and Sinnes, knowing that wee muſt giuegive an account for euerie idle word. Math. 12.36.
For the health of the Soule, the bodie is to bee kept in ſubiection.
LIke as when one part of a man that is ſicke, is not capable of the remedie, wherewith he may be holpen, the Phyſition is wont to applie the ſame remedie to an other part; as if one bee grieued with an extreame Ach of the head, then the Phiſition vſeth to ſtrike a vaine of the arme, becauſe the head will not abide Phlebotomie, or bloud letting: So, that we may helpe and heale many diſeaſes of the Soule, wee muſt keepe the body in ſubiection to the ſpirit, and tame the luſts of the fleſh, and labour to bridle our affections, and to keepe them within the compaſſe of reaſon, ſobrietie and temporance.
Spirits that die in the Lord.
EVen as the Spirit of Chriſt, paſſed from the Croſſe into Paradiſe, at the verie ſame moment that it departed out of the body, and thence returned into the body, that whole Chriſt in reſpect that he was man, might be afterwards glorified: So likewiſe all good Chriſtians, doo beleeue that their Spirits and ſoules, who die in the Lord, doo ſtraightway depart vntounto God, there to enioy that meaſure of glorie that is appointed for them; vntill that they being adioyned againe vntounto the ſame bodies (which will be the very ſame in ſubſtance truly corporall, though in a far more excellent eſtate) ſhall liue vnderunder Chriſt their head for euermore. Luk. 23.43. Reue. 14.13.
The Lords Supper.
1 AS Bread nouriſheth and ſtrengthneth man, and giueth him abilitie to labour: So the body of Chriſt, eaten by faith, feedeth and ſatisfieth the ſoule of man, and furniſheth the whole man to all duties of godlineſſe.
2 As Wine is drinke to the thirſtie, and maketh merrie the hearts of men: Euen ſo the bloud of our Lord Ieſus drunken by faith, dooth quench the thirſt of the burning conſcience, and filleth the hearts of the faithful with vnſpeakable ioy.