A Treasury of Similes, Part C · Part 58 – Part 73
The Children of God.
1 LIke as a heathen man beeing asked why hee did weare ſuch a long buſhie beard, anſwered; that ſo often as he beheld it, he might commit nothing vnworthy the grauitie of the ſame: hee would not be like a Tauerne with a buſh at the doore, and no wine within: So likewiſe, if any man ſhall aske the Children of God, why they are called Chriſtians; the Church of God, the ſpouſe of Chriſt, Citizens of heauen, and by ſuch like names of louelove and honour: they are to anſwere, that ſo often as they remember theſe names and titles, they ought not to commit any thing vnworthy the grauitie and maieſtie of the ſame.
2 As many Papiſts, and ſome Proteſtants too, who be ſuperſtitious and Popiſhly affected, doo not remember what titles they hauehave, nor by what names they be called, and therefore they muſt hauehave puppets and images in their Churches and houſes, to put them in minde of their dutie to God: Euen ſo, ſome mens Religion and holineſſe, is all in their titles of Gods Children, and in naked names of Chriſtians, which onelyonly they hold, when indeed all Chriſtianitie is baniſhed from them.
3 Like as it is counted a ſhame for a Citizen to go like a Courtier, or for a man to put on womans apparell, or a woman to weare on mans apparell, which is an abhomination to the Lord: Euen ſo it is a greater ſhame for the Children of God, who are Cittizens of heauen, to go after the faſhion of the Courtiers of hell, or after the manner of the world. Rom. 12.2.
4 As when Chriſt the Lord of life was put to death, there was darkneſſe vponupon the face of the earth, the vaile of the Temple rent, the graues opened, and the dead aroſe, &c. at the ſight whereof, the very enemies of Chriſt which watched him, were afraide for that they had done vntounto him; yea they were conſtrained to confeſſe and ſay; Doubtleſſe this man was the ſonne of God: Math. 27.54.So likewiſe the Children of God, that be or ought to be dead with Chriſt their head vntounto ſinne, as he died for our ſinnes, then there will follow a wonderfull alteration in their liues: there will appeare ſuch zeale in profeſſing of the Goſpell, ſuch pittie in relieuing the poore, ſuch patience in bearing the croſſe, ſuch faithfulneſſe in performing of promiſes, ſuch charitie in iudging their brethren, ſuch merciemercy in forgiuing offences, ſuch ſinceritie in worſhipping of GOD, ſuch conſtancie in defending of the truth, ſuch watching ouer all their wayes, and ſuch wiſedome in winning men …o God, that their very enemies, which before did mocke …hem, hate them, and perſecute them, ſhall be conſtrained with ſhame to ſay; Theſe are no doubt the Children of God, theſe are good men, theſe are true profeſſors in…eed, &c. Rom. 6.4, 5. &c.
5 Like as worldly men in their houſes, in their apparell, … their feaſtings, in their furniture, and in euerie thing, …hey ſtriue to hauehave matches, & all their things ſutable: So …kewiſe the Childrē of God muſt ſtriue to hauehave their titles …nd names, their liues and qualities, their profeſſion and practiſe, ſutable and anſwerable the one to the other, and ſo to depart from iniquitie. 2. Tim. 2.19.
6 As carnall men deſire to be gorgeouſly apparelled: Euen ſo the Children of God deſire to be cloathed with their houſe, which is from heauen. 2. Cor. 3, 4.
7 Euen as plants & trees, do ſpread abroad their rootes in the earth, from whence they hauehave their nouriſhment: So likewiſe the Children of God, becauſe they be fedde with delicates and dainties from heauen, and are noriſhed with the grace & fauour of God, they hold vp their hands, they turne vp their eyes, they lift vp their hearts & mindes to God that is in heauē, from whence their ſoules receiue comfort, ioy, ſaluation, and euerlaſting life.
Saluation onelyonly to be had in Chriſt, if men know how to finde him.
1 LIke as if a man knew certainly that in ſuch a wood an infinite maſſe of money were hid, if the owner thereof would giuegive it vntounto him, yet if by no meanes hee could finde the ſame, what ſhould the gift of ſuch a treaſure profit him? thogh it were of value to purchaſe a kingdome: nothing at all. Euen ſo ſtandeth the caſe betweene Chriſt and vsus: though we know neuer ſo well and certainly, that ſaluation and all kinde of treaſure is permanent and to be found in him, and do belong to ſuch as can find him, yet if we can by no meanes find him, what ſhall the vnderſtanding hereof profit vsus? nothing at all. 1. Cor. 28.10. Eſa. 55.6.
Chriſt to be found by hearing the word preached and read.
1 LIke as if one hauehave a Moyne of Copper, Tinne, or Leade, he vſeth great paine and diligence to come by the ſame, but if it proue a veine of Siluer or Gold, then the owner thereof ſetteth Pyoners on worke, who with great care, courage and comfort, labour night and day, in hope to be greatly enriched thereby: and albeit the veine ſinke downe verie deepe, and proue moſt hard and difficult to winne, yet do they not ceaſe or ſlacken their labor, but rather adde ſo much the more diligence, in hope that their gaines will double their paines, when the Moyne is once wonne: for this they holde (as a rule infallible) that the lower any mettal doth lie in the earth, the better and more gainful it prooues in ſubſtance: Euen ſo it is in the ſtudie of the Scriptures, and in hearing the ſame read and preached, the more paines and diligence one vſeth therin, the more increaſe of ſound knowledge, wiſedom & comfort is gotten in the ende, being that moſt rich and vnvaluable Moyne, wherein all the treaſures of wiſedome and vnderſtanding are to be found, conteining and comprehending all the counſels and commaundements of the Lord, &c. 1. Chro. 28.10. Pro. 3.13, 14, 26. & 8.18.19. Ioh. 30.31. Mat. 7.7, 8.
Children dying before they be baptized, are not damned.
1 AS by Circumciſion, which was a cutting off, of the the fore-skin; the Children of the Hebrewes were brought vntounto God, were ſealed vp with the Seale of his Couenaunt, and receiued into his Church, to the great comfort and ioy of the Parents, which were certified by the ſame, that God was not only their God, but alſo the God of their poſteritie and ſeede; and yet if any thing had happened vntounto them, afore they could bee circumſized, they miſtruſted not, but that GOD would by the vertue of his Teſtament ſaue them: So by Baptiſme, the Children of Chriſtians are brought vntounto Chriſt, are ſealed vp with the Seale of the people of God, & receiued into his Church, as members of his ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, and fellow-heires with him of his heauenly Kingdome; which thing vntounto the faithfull parents muſt be a heauenly comfort: For by it, they are certified and aſſured that their ſinnes be not only waſhed away with the bloud of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, but alſo the ſinnes of their poſteritie and Children. But if it be not the pleaſure of God, that the fathers and mothers ſhould ſee their Children aliue, for to offer and preſent them vntounto him by Baptiſme, yet there is no cauſe why they ſhould thinke that they ſhould be damned, becauſe the grace of is not bound to the Sacraments. For if there were ſome good man among the Turkes, or elſe among the Idolaters and Infidels, which had the knowledge of the Goſpell, and a true faith in our Sauiour Chriſt, and yet could by no maner of means come by the Sacrament of Baptiſme, or be baptized, yet no man ought ſo much as to thinke, that ſuch a one for want of a little water ſhould be damned, ſeeing he hath the chiefe and principall; that is to ſay, a true iuſtifying faith: elſe the water ſhould hauehave more vertue and efficacie, then the bloud of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt; or at leaſt as much: and the Miniſter that ſhould miniſter the outward Baptiſme, ſhould be of as much power as Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe.
2 Like as the Water and Miniſter can do nothing without the ſpirit and bloud of our Sauior Chriſt: So it ſhould follow (if Children be damned that die before they be baptized) that Ieſus Chriſt, his ſpirit and bloud, ſhould be able to do nothing, without the water and Miniſter. And ſo by this means, our Sauior Chriſt and his Spirit, ſhould be as ſubiect vntounto the Miniſter and Water, as the Water and Miniſter ſhould be ſubiect vntounto Chriſt and his holy ſpirit: and ſo conſequently, his grace and merciemercy ſhould be alligated and bound vntounto corruptible elements, and made ſubiect vntounto men: Whereby it ſhould come to paſſe, that Ieſus Chriſt ſhould be no more true God, nor yet true Sauiour.
3 As the fleſhly Children of Abraham, and ſuch as came of his fleſh, which departed this life before the eight day of Circumciſion, were not damned; but by the vertue of the promiſe and couenant of God, were ſaued: So alſo after the ſame maner, the ſpirituall Children of Abraham, (that is to ſay) the Infants of all the Chriſtians, are not condemned, if they deceaſe before Baptiſme, but are ſaued by the efficacie of the promiſe of God, and by inuiſible Baptiſme, wherewith our Sauiour Chriſt Baptizeth them, who (by his death and precious bloud) hath redeemed them.
Cares of this world, coole the louelove and deſire of heauenly things.
1 AS the Sea that the winde hath laine ſore vponupon, is yet toſſed and troubled, after the winde is laid, and the tempeſt gone: Euen ſo mans mans minde lately comne out of the buſineſſe and Cares of the world, ſtill caſteth and ſtudieth the ſame things, and panteth after them, and cannot after this, come ſtraight to it ſelfe, and ſo to meditate and exerciſe ſpirituall matters. Math. 13.22. Luk. 8.14.
2 Like as when a Riuer or Fountaine is troubled, there can no water be taken or drawne out of them, but ſuch as is full of mudde: Euen ſo when the minde is troubled and choked with the ouer carefull and vnquiet ſauour of the mire and dyrt of this peeuiſh world, there can neither holy prayers, nor any godly exerciſes be found there.
The breach of Gods Commaundements.
1 AS many worldly men deale with their Creditors, who will hardly let ſlip one houre, or day, but will take the aduantage and forfeiture of their Bondes and Obligations, without any more delay: Euen ſo if our good God and mercifull Father ſhould deale as preciſely and ſtricktly with vsus, in taking aduantage of the Bonds, forfeytures, and penalties, wherein wee daily fall into by breach of his Commandements many wayes, then our eſtate ſhould be moſt miſerable. Iob. 9.2, 3.
2 As euill debters, when their day of payment draweth neare, and when their Creditors are at hand to demaund the ſame, doo ſeeke to hide themſelues, and to ſhunne their Creditors preſence: So likewiſe the moſt part of the world bee ſo careleſſe in keeping that couenant, vowe and promiſe which they made to God at their Baptiſme, that euen wilfully they throw themſelues indebted vntounto GOD, and thrall vntounto Satan, ſome by one ſinne, and ſome by an other, through violating and breaking of Gods Commaundements, that when by ſickneſſe or death they are ſummoned to render an account of their bayliwicke, then they wiſh that the mountaines would fall vponupon them, to hide them from the preſence of God, but all in vaine. Eſa. 2.19. Hoſe. 10.8. Luk. 23.30. Reue. 6.16. Luk. 16.2.
Christ is not a Redeemer, but vntounto them, who beeing turned from iniquitie do lead a new life.
1 LIke as if the Seruant of ſome Noble man, or Gentleman, were for committing of treaſon, felonie or murther, condemned, and going to the place of execution; and his Lord or Maiſter of meere fauour and good will, ſhould not onelyonly by earneſt ſute to her Maieſtie, procure a pardon for his life, and ſo deliuer him from that villainous death; but alſo ſhould adopt and take him for his ſonne and heire: if he now after this his deliuerance, go and ſay, I will take my pleaſure, be Idle, and follow mine owne phantaſie, and neuer endeuour to pleaſe, or pleaſure his Lord and Maiſter, but rather ſeeke to hurt and diſpleaſe him euerie way that hee can; ſuch a wretch deſerueth to be puniſhed moſt extreamely: Euen ſo ſuch as ſay that Chriſt hath Redeemed vsus, and by his death hath purchaſed for vsus forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, righteouſneſſe, and life euerlaſting, and hath adopted vsus to bee his ſonnes and heires, wherefore we will take our pleaſure, be Idle, and rather we will doo more wickedneſſe: doubtleſſe Chriſt dyed not for ſuch, nor ſatisfied for their offences, no nor yet merited heauen for them, to the end that they ſhouid ſpend their dayes in Idleneſſe, and heape ſinne vponupon ſinne, but rather to liue Chriſtianly and godly. Ro. 6.4. Gal. 5.24. Tit. 2.11. 2. Tim. 2.19. Luk. 1.75. Ephe. 1.4. & 2.10. 1. Pet. 1.15.
2 Like as if an Aſtrologer could or ſhould tell an ambitious Cardinall that he ſhould be Pope, although hee did put an vndoubted truſt therein, yet for all that hee would not be Idle, but would vſe all the meanes that poſſible he could, to attaine and come to that dignitie: Euen ſo the Children of GOD, the ſurer they are that Chriſt hath Redeemed them, ſo much the more they vnderſtand the great good will of God towards thē; and therefore they are alwayes forced more and more by godly conuerſation of life, to make certaine vntounto themſelues, the knowledge of their election and Redemption by Chriſt. 2. Pet. 1.10.
3 If a miſerable and wretched Theefe ſhall hauehave committed many thefts and murthers, and after that his wicked deedes were knowne, the ſonne of a King ſhould be brought to be arrained and condemned for the ſame, and ſo beare the puniſhment thereof, and this theefe to be diſcharged and pardoned: if herevpon the theefe ſhould reioyce and make a ſcoffe at him, when hee ſeeth the ſonne of a King to be put to death, and ſuffer the puniſhment that hee deſerued; ſuch a Caytiffe deſerueth a moſt horrible death: Euen ſo at this preſent it fareth with vsus: behold our Sauiour Chriſt, the onelyonly Sonne of God, is impriſoned, and we deliuered: hee condemned, and we pardoned: hee put to death, and to all ſhame, and we receiued to honour: it is not therefore for vsus to be drowſie-headed, and liue ſecurely, and to flatter our ſelues in our ſinnes and iniquities.
4 As the Iſraelites were neuer able to yeeld ſufficient thanks to God for their bodily deliuerance from the bondage which they were in, in Egypt: So to Chriſt our Sauiour for our Redemption and ſpirituall deliuerance from the tyrannie of Sathan and ſinne. Exo. 14.30. & 20.2. Pſal. 81.10.
Gods Prouidence ouer his Children.
1 AS it was impoſſible that Herod and Pilate, together with the Gentiles and Iewes, ſhould conclude more, and bring any more to paſſe in afflicting Ieſus Chriſt our head, then the hand and counſell of the Lord hath ordained to be done from euerlaſting: So alſo it is impoſſible that the Herods of our time, the Pilates & the Phariſies, togither with the mad and bewitched people, ſhould take more in hand, and bring more to paſſe in afflicting the members of Chriſt, then the hand and counſell of God hath firſt decreed to be brought to paſſe by them. Act. 4.27.28, Iohn. 7.30. & 8.20.
2 As the ſmalleſt birds of the earth are not taken without the will and prouidence of our heauenly Father: Euen ſo, nothing good or euill dooth happen vntounto Gods Children without his prouident will. Math. 10.29. Amo. 3.6.
3 As the Lord in merciemercy feedeth the birds of the ayre, that they hauehave ſufficient, and alſo ſo gallantly decketh the Lillies of the field (which bee ſo gorgiouſly and ſo richly cloathed, that euen Salamon in all his royaltie, was not apparelled like one of them:) Euen ſo much more if wee hauehave an aſſured truſt in him (ſo liberall and bountifull a Father) he will not (doubtleſſe) ſee vsus his Children lacke any thing that good is, concerning our foode or ſuſtenance, apparell or cloathing, as ſhall be meete and expedient for vsus. Math. 6.26, 28, 29, 30.
What Comfort we receiue by the name of Chriſt, or annoynted.
1 LIke as the annoynting, whereby at Gods Commaundement, Prophets, Prieſts, and Kings, were appoynted amongſt his people, with an outward and viſible Oyle, was a publike teſtimonie, that God would gouerne and defend his people by this perſon, and alſo keep and vphold his diuine worſhip, and likewiſe teach his people: and this perſon had commaundement of this thing; that they might ſuffer themſelues to be gouerned, cleanſed, and taught: Euen ſo the Sonne of God manifeſted in the fleſh, concerning his manhood, is annoynted with the holy Ghoſt without meaſure, (which is the truth of that outward annoynting) and ſo is ordeined and giuen of the Father, to the Prophet, Prieſt, and King of his Church.
2 As it muſt needs be that all they be made ſadde that doubt vnderunder what Lord they are in this life, whether vnderunder Chriſt, or Satan: So on the contrarie, it cannot be but all they muſt be filled with ioy, who by the inward teſtimonie of the annoynting of faith, and by the outward waſhing of holy Baptiſme, are aſſured, that they are vnderunder Chriſt the King of righteouſneſſe. Col. 1.13. Luk. 17.21. & 2.10, 11.
3 Like as in time paſt when Salamon by the commandement of God was annointed, there was publike ioy amōg the people of God; becauſe they knew that God wold do them good, and defend them by the hand of a King: Euen ſo wee when we heare out of the word of God, that our Lord Ieſus is Chriſt, that is, that ſame annoynted of the Lord, we ought with the Angels to be filled with an exceeding ioy of minde, beeing ſurely perſwaded, that euen in this very thing that the heauenly Father hath appointed, and in very deede giuen his owne Sonne Chriſt, that is annoynted, to bee our King, that he dooth openly from heauen declare, that hee by his ſonne will become the euerlaſting reſtorer and defender of his Church.
Chriſtian Seruice.
AS in a mans body one part is very readie to doo ſeruice to an other, the foote to the eye, and the eye to the foote: Fuen ſo euerie Chriſtian man, as parts of the myſticall body of Chriſt, muſt be willing and ready to do ſeruice one to an other, not enuying thoſe which bee in greater calling, nor ſcorning his inferiours.
Chriſtianitie.
LIke as eueryevery thing which ſtriketh a hard Stone is broken in peeces, the ſtone remaining whole: Euen ſo eueryevery man which ſtriketh againſt Chriſtianitie, hurteth himſelfe, and cannot preuaile againſt the ſame.
Chriſt became poore to make vsus rich.
LIke as the poore birds hauehave their neaſts to flie vntounto, and to reſt themſelues in: So contrariwiſe, our Sauiour Chriſt being baſe and poore, had no place of his owne in the earth to reſt his head in, that ſo he might enrich vsus. Math. 8.20. 2. Cor. 8.9.
Chriſt the bread of life.
1 AS bread periſhing nouriſheth vsus in this life for a ſmall time: Euen ſo Chriſt the bread that periſheth not, but endureth for euer, nouriſheth to euerlaſting life. Iohn. 6.48, 51.58.
2 As hee that will bee nouriſhed by bread, muſt eate it: So likewiſe hee that will be benefited by Chriſt, muſt beleeue in him. Iohn. 6.55. 1. Cor. 10.17. Iohn. 6.35.40.
3 As the Diuell is the foode of the wicked, which hee nouriſheth in all iniquitie, and bringeth vp into euerlaſting damnation: So is Chriſt the very foode of all them that be the liuely members of his body, and them he nouriſheth, feedeth, bringeth vp and cheriſheth, vntounto euerlaſting life.
Chriſt reiecteth not a weake faith.
LIke as the week or match of a Candle, Link or Torch, which either wanting Oyle, Tallowe, Waxe or Roſen, or hauing thereof not ſufficient, yeeldeth foorth at ſometime, but a darke blinde ſnuffe, and vnperfect …ight: Euen ſo Chriſt our Sauiour, reiecteth not a weake, ſlender, and wauering faith, which yet (notwithſtanding ſo long as any ſparke of godlyneſſe ap…eareth) is not quite quenched and extinct, albeit at …ometime it be very neare therevnto. Eſa. 42.3. Math. ….20.
Contentious men.
1 AS wee ſee one coale kindle an other, and wood to be apt matter to make a fire: Euen ſo thoſe that be diſpoſed to Contention and brawling, be apt to kindle ſtrife, and to ſet men together by the eares.
2 As a litie ſparke many times ſetteth a whole houſe on fire: Euen ſo a Contentious and froward perſon, of a litle matter of nought, maketh much debate and diuiſion among louers and friends.
The Cup of Gods wrath.
LIke as we ſee men take the Cup one at an others hands and drinke in courſe: Euen ſo we, when wee hauehave taſted of the Cup of Gods wrath for our ſins, if wee repent, we are to comfort our ſelues that it ſhall bee taken out of our hands, and giuen to our enemies, euen to thoſe which hitherto hauehave made a ſpoyle of vsus, and they ſhall ſuck out the dregs thereof. Eſa. 51.21, 22. Iere. 51.7. Ezech. 23.31, 32, 33, 34.