how euill a ring or Iewell of golde becommeth the filthy snowt of a swine that is alwayes rooting in the durt and mier so vncomely is beauty to a woman that hath not wit nor discretion to behaue her selfe Iron AS with Iron tooles sharpe Weapons are made of Iron so doth one Friend helpe to sharpen encourage and enbolden the face of an other King IT is folly for a king to put his trust in the multitude of his host and army The death of kinges and Princes sheweth vs how vaine a thing it is for vs to put our trust in men or in the sonnes of men for there is none helpe in them for their breath departeth they dye and tourne againe to their earth and then their thoughts perish If a King will see euill and wickednesse driuen and chased away out of his realme and land he must seuerely punish the wicked Yet he must mingle mercy with iustice for mercy shall establishe his throne He must also haue an especiall care to defend the poore in truth for that is an other mean to vphold him in his kingdom He must abstaine from the loue of giftes for otherwise he shall destroy his countrye He must meruailously take heede of giuing eare to vntruthes otherwise he shall be sure to haue wicked seruauntes When drosse is taken away from Siluer there proceedeth a vessell for the finer so take away the wicked from the king and his throne shall be established in righteousnesse As the height of heauens and the deepnesse of earth so the kings heart is vnsearcheable Yet his heart is in the hande of God he turneth it which way so euer it pleaseth him A poore childe that is wise is better then an old foolishe king that can not abide to be admonished or counselled For out of prison he commeth foorth to raigne when he that is borne in a kingdome commeth to pouerty and misery Woe to the land where the king is as a child without wisdome and where the Princes and Rulers giue them selues altogeather to voluptuousnesse and pleasures But happy is that land whose king God hath endued with celestiall wisedome and all graces meet for gouernment We must beware of speaking euill or thinking euill of princes For though we doe it neuer so secreatly it cannot be kept close So necessary as breath and life is for the body so be good kinges and Princes for their people and common wealth Thogh kinges and princes sometimes conspire against Christ to destroy the Church and to quench the light of the Gospell yet we are assured that all they can do nothing but whatsoeuer Gods hande and counsell had afore hande determined to bee done The king is the minister of God to take vengeaunce on them that doe euill Therefore let euill doers be afrayde of him for he beareth not the swoorde for naught Finally the king must haue Gods booke continually with him therein for his continuall direction he must read all the dayes of his life Labourers WHen we see painfull lâ—bourers if we bee ministers we shoulde by their example learne what paines we ought to bestowe vppon Gods flock if we be common persons wee are in them to viewe the care and paine that vigilant pastors take for vs and to consider howe worthy they are of their reward Againe when wee see eyther for want of labourers or by negligence of those which are set on work thinges doe perishe and be lost then we shoulde consider howe many thousands of soules are in daunger of perishing for want of painefull and carefull ministers and should earnestly call vpon God to thrust out laborers into his haruest Further the viewe of labourers sweating toyling and taking paines shoulde put vs in minde whereunto we are borne and also that that there is a penalty laid vpon men by God in the sweat of their browes to eate their bread To the painfull labourer sleepe is sweete whether hee eateth much or little Hee that for neede stole let him steal no more but let him labour with his hands the thing which is good that he may both eate his owne bread and also be able to giue to him that needeth Lambe WIth such patience and meeknes as a lamb is carried to the slaughter with such are the Prophets and preachers of God brought by the wicked to most cruell death For his meeknesse and innocency wherein a lambe resembleth him Christe is called the lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde And because that as a lamb is dumbe before his shearer so hee was led to the slaughter not opening his mouth Lying AS vncomely as magnificall talke is for a poore foole so vnmeeete is lying and vntrue talke for a Prince As the deuil is the father of lies so lying is an euident token of his Children The grosse and apparant lies commonly beleeued and receiued in Popery is a manifest token of Gods iust vengeaunce vppon them to their damnation that they are giuen ouer to beleeue lies because they receiued not the loue of the trueth which punishment wee see howe it lighted vpon the Iewes whose Prophetes preached lies and the people delighted therein Who soeuer loueth or maketh lies shall neuer enter into the gates of the Heauenlye and Celestiall Ierusalem but shall haue their part and portion in the Lake which burneth with fier and Brimstome Yet wee may complaine with Dauid that there is not a godly man left and that the faythfull doe fayle from amongest the children of men Lyar. THe eares of the wicked are alwaies open to the lippes of liars and Liars are glad to hearken to the tongues of them that are accustomed to lies yet we are commaunded to flie from lying because it is amongest the things that God abhorreth Therefore we are earnestly to request at Gods handes to remooue farre from vs vanities and lies and to teach vs to speak the trueth euery man to his neighbour Lightning SO quicklye as the Lightning in the East is seene vnto the Weste so sodainely shall Christe appeare vnto the whole worlde at his second comming Light AS a dark or dimme light which a man can not discerne any thing by nor vse to his benefite but is ready so soone as it is stirred to goe quite out so is the prosperity of the wicked but God is the light of his and giueth them eyes and wisedome to eschue all the perilles and dangers of their spirituall enimies As men in the night because of the darknesse vse Lanterne and Lights that they may see their way so we ought in this blinde darke and ignoraunt world to vse the Worde as a Lanterne vnto our feete and a light to our steppes that wee may walke in those wayes that God hath prouided for vs to walke in For
to a wise consideration of duetye where otherwise if hee bee left at libertye hee oftentimes bringeth his Parentes to shame When straungers and Aliens preuaile against the people of God then are wee to comfort our selues that they are but God his roddes and that therefore God will not alwayes for that purpose vse them but that in short time they shall bee broken worne to the stumpes and throwne away When we see schollers very fearful of their schoole-master comming towards them with a rod in his hand then are wee to remember to take heed that we so behaue our selues towards them that are ouer vs in the Lorde that they rather vse vs to the sweete and spirituall comforts of Gods promises then the terrible seuerity of Dicsipline Rushes AS Rushes and other greene thinges that commonly grow in watery places If in whot weather they want moysture doe quickly consume wither come to naught so the waies of the wicked and the hope of the hypocrite shall perish Ritches AS the glutton that ouerchargeth his stomack with meat is compelled to spue and cast it vp againe so the greedy Cormorant that gathereth great riches and deuoureth and swalloweth vp great substaunce shall loose it againe for God shall euen draw it out of his belly so that the smallest blessing of worldlye wealth which God giueth to the iust man is much better to him then greate riches and wealth which the wicked and vngodly doe possesse For experience teacheth how vainly men disquiet themselues in heaping vp ritches which they knowe not who shall possesse wherefore hee which with ritches will haue the fauour and blessing of God must be liberall and franke to all such vses as tend to the seruice honour and glory of God For if we procure his anger indignation wrath against vs our riches and treasure shall nothing auail profite nor helpe vs. Therefore a good name is aboue riches and fauour aboue siluer and gold It is therefore a very vanity to trauaile too muche for riches when a man thinketh he hath them most sure then sodainlye they slippe and flye away Hee that looueth siluer shall not bee satisfied with siluer and he that loueth riches shal be with out the fruite thereof When wee see a rich man sodainly die and those to possesse his wealth whome hee neuer gathered it for Then are wee to remember what a vauitye it is for a man to disquiet him selfe in heaping vp of wealth and howe muche better it is for a man to bee rich in God or to make Christe his riches and wealth for whose sake euery Christian oughte with ioy to suffer the spoyle of his goods knowing that in heauen hee hath an enduring substance and that the worldly rich man together with his wealth shall vanish as the flower of the grasse Wherefore wee shoulde not followe the fashions of this world in accepting and regarding of men onely for their riches and wealth which commonly they heap together by tyrannous oppression and by persecuting the saintes of God ioyned together with the blasphemy of his most holy name They that desire to be rich fal into many temptations and snares and many foolish and noysom lusts And the desire of monye is the roote of all euil Wherfore rich men are to be warned that they be not prowd nor trust in vncertaine riches but in God who aboundantly giueth to euerye one Roller WHen wee see Husbandmen vse rollers to breake great and hard clodds and to make them fall to power then are we to call to minde the power of God and his Christe to breake down the might and force of his enimies though as high and mighty as the highest and greatest mountaines Rainbowe WHensoeuer we see the Rainbowe we are to call to minde Gods iudgementes against the worlde in the dayes of Noe for their wickednes and also y e kindenesse of God who in mercy hath promised vs that hee will neuer a-againe destroy the whole worlde with Water and hath giuen vs the Rainbowe in the clowdes as a pledge and seale thereof for our better assuraunce Shadow AS now the sunne is shadowed with clowds and by and by shineth foorth bright so subiect to chaunge is the life of man And as the seruaunt working abroade in the whot Sunne longeth for and is glad of the coole shade so men in affliction and misery are glad of a little ease Sacrifice THe persons of Infidelles and impenitent wicked men God abhorreth and therefore the Sacrifice of such is abhominable But God fauourably accepteth the Sacrifice of the faithfull And these are the Sacrifices left now vnto the Church of God 1. Contrite Spirites broken heartes such as tremble at his Worde 2 Our reasonable seruing of God that is our seruing him according to the prescription of his will 3 Martirdome for the testimony of his trueth 4 The fruite of our Lippes that is Praise and thankesgiuing vnto his moste holye and blessed name 5 Benefiting our brethren and distributing that which God hath blessed vs withall to the needy For with such sacrifices God is pleased and for that cause hee hath made vs priestes that wee shoulde offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable to God by Christ. Salte AS often as we see Salt stones wee are to remember the strange punishment wherewith God punished Lots wife for disobedience and to feare the like or greater Salt also aswell because it is sauour it selfe as because it seasoneth all other thinges expresseth vnto vs the duety of good ministers aswell in life as doctrine Sand. IF the sandes of the sea be innumerable so that it is impossible for man to take in hand to number them Then how great is the summe of Gods cogitations and how farre beyonde the reach of man And though the people of God be somtimes for their chastisement giuen ouer to the enemye who thinketh vtterly to extinguishe them and to root them out yet God will againe multiply and encrease the number of them that they shal be as innumerable as the sand of the sea Sauour THe sent and Sauour of the Minister of the Worde is very delectable and pleasaunt to those whom God hath appoynted to be saued but vnto the other who perishe he is an odious loathsome and deadly sauour Sea THe meruailous stormes that Marriners and passengers abyde oftentimes at Sea shewe foorth the mighty and wonderfull works of god The calme that often sodenly followeth and the bringing of men into their desired harborrow setteth out the loue and kindnesse of God to such as call vpon him For God for his people doth make awaye in the sea and a path in the mighty waters As the sea when it rageth the waters thereof cast vp durt and mier so the wicked in their outragiousnes shew
abroad their filth But God ruleth the raging of the sea and stilleth the waues thereof Whereby wee vnderstande his great power and might and that there is none in ability like him Sedition FEare the Lord and the king and meddle not with them that are seditious for theire destruction shall rise sodainly and who knoweth the ruine of them Sepulchres SEpulchres and Tombs which are costly builte and richly adorned and haue nothing within them but a stinking Carkas and rotten boanes doe aptly represent the notable goodly outward shewes which hipocrites make their hearts being full of all wickednesse and corruption Seedes AS the seed once sowed wheresoeuer it pleaseth God to grant his blessing vnto it whither the sower sleepe or wake or whatsoeuer hee doeth and howsoeuer hee is occupied groweth encreaseth till it come to maturity and ripenes so y e worde by the minister of God being scattered wher God worketh withal by his holy spirit there it bringeth a greate meruailous an vnlooked for encrease As a number of things shold yeerely decay come to naught except seedes of them were saued whereof they are by sowing renued so the people that beare Gods name vppon earth shoulde in the day of visitation of their sinnes be cleane and vtterly destroied as Sodom and Gomorah but that God spareth some remnant to be as it were a seed for the encreasing of his Church and people againe Seedes y t are sowed except they corrupt grow not again so our bodies except they cōsume rise not again And as the same seede in substance that is sown springeth again yet altered in forme and fashion euen so our bodies shall rise againe the same in substance but meruellously altered in qualities so our bodies except they consume rise not againe yet altered in form fashion euen so our bodies shall rise again the same in substance but meruellously altered in quality Such as the seede is such is the life of y e which proceedeth from it As therfore of mortall corrupt seed men are first borne to this mortall and corruptible life so must wee of the immortall incorruptible seede of the word be borne againe to a life immortall and incorruptible if we will liue euer Serpent THe sight of a serpent shoulde bring to minde the subtilty malice of the diuell whereby he deceiued and seduced oure first father Adam and induced him to transgression and disobedience and also it should make vs the more heedful and carefull to espy his crafts to withstand his malice seeing that we are eazlier nowe to bee ouerthrowne by reason of our corruption then Adam was afore his fall We also that are ministers shoulde also thereby learne to be wise considering the manifolde daungers which are incident to our calling Seruaunts THe diligence of our man-seruants and maide seruaunts in attending vppon vs and doing their duties vpon hope of finding help friendship at our handes is a good lesson as well to teach vs howe diligently we ought to be in pleasing God and also how well content we shoulde be to tarry his leasure for those graces mercies which we look for at his hand A wise seruant is a great pleasure to his Lord master but a lewd seruant always prouoketh him whome he serueth to anger A discreet seruant is better then a lewd sonne shal deuide the heritage amongst y e brethren As impossible as it is at one and the same time for one man to serue two diuers sundrye masters for y t he cannot be diligēt imploy him self about vpon the busines of the one but hee must needs neglect the others affairs so impossible is it for man to addict him self to God ritches When we see our seruants at our beck and commandement and diligent to do those things which we appoint them then we should remēber by how better right equity wee all creatures shoulde redilye obey the voice of God our creator and of Christ our redeemer If thy calling be to be a seruant care not but if thou maist bee free vse it rather For he that is called in the Lorde to bee a Seruant is the Lordes Free-man But learne that the propertye of a good Seruaunt is to giue all reuerence to his master obeying him in all thinges and that in singlenesse of heart and in the feare of the Lorde endeuouring alwayes to please him yea though he be froward executing the trust that is committed vnto him aswell in his masters absence as in his presence If a liberall good and bountifull master to his seruauntes can not but bee very angry and much offended if any of them deale cruelly with their fellows how much more iustly shall God withdrawe his mercy from them that deale vnmercifully with them that liue amongst them If men be bountifull vnto such seruants whose faithfulnesse diligence they haue good trial of as wel in their absence as presence on y e contrary side angry seuere sharp to them which deceiue their expectation do not answere the trust which is reposed in them how much more iustly shall God put the like difference in rewarding or punishing the good endeuours or negligence of them to whome he hath committed seruices of trust in his people and Churche As men haue iust cause with more sharpnesse and greater seuerity to punish those seruauntes to whome they haue shewed theire minde and will and yet their businesse is neglected then others who therefore doe it not because they knowe it not So GOD to whome soeuer hee hath reuealed moste and vppon whome he hath bestowed moste greatest giftes of knowledge them if notwithstanding they bee negligent in vsing their gifts to the profite of Gods Church will he most seuerely and sharply aboue all other punish Seruauntes be they neuer so diligent in executing that which is committed vnto them yet cannot iustly vaunt themselues that they haue done any more then bounden duety So we then when wee haue trauailed as much as for vs is possible yet are to confesse our selues vnprofitable seruauntes It is an olde saying Seruice is no heritage Therefore when we see seruaunts when they haue serued a time chaunge their masters and are eyther masterlesse or serue others then let vs remember that so vnstable and vncertaine is our condition in the Churche of GOD except wee haue the spirite of freedome namely the spirite of adoption of children and so by Christe and in Christe be truely made free Men are their seruauntes to whose commaundementes they yeelde all obedience Therefore if wee obey sinne wee are the seruauntes of sinne and our wages is death But if we obey God then are wee the seruauntes of obedience to righteousnesse and our ende is euerlasting life For the moste part some priuate respect of commodity and the seruice
An A. B. C. FOR LAYEmen othervvise called the Lay-mans Letters AN ALPHABET for Lay-men deliuering vnto them such Lessons as the holy Ghost teacheth them in the worde by thinges sensible very necessary to be diligently considered AT LONDON Printed by Robert VValde-graue for Thomas Man and William Brome 1585. TO THE RIGHT Honorable his very good Lord Syr William Cicill Baron of Burgley Lord high Treasurer of England c. And to his honourable Patrone Syr VVALTER MILDMAY Knight Chauncellour of her Maiesties Exchequer GEORGE VVITHER vvisheth Grace and peace vvith all heauenly blessings from the father of our Lord Iesus Christ. IT is an vsuall manner right honourable for all those that goe about to publish any work or writing of theirs to dedicate it to some one or other eyther to be a Testimony to the World of their mutuall loue and friendshippe or else to witnesse their dutifulnesse or thankfulnes for benefites receyued or else that vnder the protection defence and fauour of authority their works may the better passâ— and be the safelier guarded and defended against all busie reprehenders Wherefore vnwilling to break the receiued custome looking amongst the Honourable to when for benefites I am bounde As I confesse that amongest them I haue founde many and great welwillers so to you two whome my estate hath compelled to trouble and vse moste for your constant good will and continued fauour shewed and benefites bestowed I am aboue all others most bounden and therefore as a thankfull remembrance haue dedicated this simple sily labor vnto your honors God in these our days hath raised vp a number of worthy learned carefull men for the Church of â—od whereof some bestowe themselues wholy in teaching of their flockes others for the more generall benefite of the Church spend part of their time paines in writing Of the latter sort some translate into our tongue the learned works of other some set out learned Sermons Catechismes and other treatises for the admonition instruction of the people some shew their learning in mightily refuting and confounding the common aduersaries Yet amongest them all one thing I see wanting For where I see that God hath giuen vnto men two manner of Instructions and teachings one by his word another by his creatures and for to help our dulnesse â—o learne by his creatures hath by his Spirite in his holy Worde giuen a meruellous number of Lessons drawne from thinges sensible In the former manner of teaching God hath blesse vs in comparison of our Fathers aboundantly But in the latter I haue not seene any man of our time that of purpose hath taken paynes Which want no doubt is some cause that by these outwarde thinges which God hath appointed to bee so many helpes not onely for the present necessities of this life but also to Heauen Men ignoraunt of the good Lessons which the Holy Ghoste giueth by them for want of further and deeper consideration are detayned vppon earth and drowned in earthly thinges and doe not possesse but are possessed of their possessions Wherefore in some little part to supplye that wante but cheefelye to giue to others of greater learning and giftes occasion to bestowe this way some part of their leasure I haue collected into the order of an Alphabet these fewe Lessons giuen by the spirite of God Wherein as I haue cheefely respected the benefite of the ruder sorte so to accommodate my selfe vnto them I haue endeuored with playnesse asmuch breuitye and shortnesse as I possibly could and therein for the moste part I haue deliuered the very wordes of the Holy Ghoste worde for worde And wheresoeuer I haue gone a little from them yet there the very wordes giue manifest occasion of the collection Which that it may of all men the better and with lesse payne bee seene and viewed I haue in the Margent noted not onely euery Chapiter but also euery verse whence I haue gathered the note set downe If then any may be occasioned by meane hereof by the sight and vsing of earthly blessings to lift vp their minds to heauenly contemplation and thankfull consideration of the Power Wisedome and goodnesse of God then haue I my desire and that which I onely seeke for Thus I commit your Honours to the protection of Almighty God whoeuer preserue both you and yours Danbury the 29. of Ianuary 1585. An Alphabet for laymen deliuering vnto them such lessons as the holye Ghost teacheth them in the worde by thinges sensible Abundaunce WHen God blesseth vs with Abundaunce then are wee to call to minde whose gift and liberalitie it is namely that the earth is the Lordes and all that therein is and that manifold are his workes all which hee hath in wisedome made and the earth is full of his riches Hee gyueth it to men and they gather it he openeth his hand and they are filled with good thinges Yet notwithstanding they must beware of couetousnes For though they haue Abundance yet their life standeth not therein But they must remember that they which be rich in this worlde are charged to be readie to giue and glad to distribute For if they haue this worldes good and see their brother haue need and shut vp their compassion from him the loue of God dwelleth not in them And then shall this iudgement light vpon them that as their goods increase so shal they increase that eat them and no good shall come to the owners but the beholding of it with their eyes and they shall beget Sonnes and in their hands shal be nothing els though they haue riches treasures and honour and want nothing of all that their heart desireth yet they shall not haue power to eate thereof but straungers shall eat it vp Adamant BEcause wicked men are impudent and stif-headded and also in great number and countenaunce therefore God promiseth his assistance to his Ministers and to giue them boldnesse and constancie in their calling and to make their foreheades as hard as the Adamant so that they shall not feare the great lookes of them that rebell against God Adder THE Adder expresseth the nature of obstinate wicked men For as he is by nature enclined and desirous to sting and to hurt with his poyson whomsoeuer he may so all their counsels tend to the increase of wickednesse and mischiefe And as this euill in the nature of an Adder can by no meanes be redressed no not by enchauntment for he stoppeth his eares against the charmer So there is no hope of the conuersion of these obstinate wicked ones who stubbornely refuse to here all wholesome doctrine and good counsell that proceedeth out of the Word wherof we haue example in the counsell that stoned Steuen for they stopped their eares And in the Papists amongest vs who will not come into those places where the Word is read and preached Age. TO liue long is a blessing giuen of God to them that
for y t theâ— haue light to direct them by so they that direcâ— theÌ„ selues in their calling by the light of y e worâ— goe aright and vpright because God doth giue them Therefore it is sometimes vsed for knowâ—ledge gotten by reading and hearing the worâ— preached Thirdly the day of the Lorde shall noâ— come soudenly and vnlooked for vppon the chilâ—dren of light stealing vppon them as it were theefe in y e night for y t they be endued with godâ—ly knowledge and therefore liue in continuaâ— expectation of his comming and watch lookinâ— for it Lastly we are to exhort one another whilâ— it is called to daye and also to obey them 〈◊〉 whome God doth speake to day both because 〈◊〉 knowe not whether hee will speake to vs any more and also least we be excluded out of his 〈◊〉 as our Fathers were Darknesse THe Darknesse of dongeons in prisons where prisoners are voide and destitute of all comfort doth shadowe vnto vs the terriblenesse and fearfulnesse of Hell The workes of darknesse are so called either of ignoraunce of the doer which the Darknesse of the minde causeth or because they are commonly done in the night or closely out of sight or else because the dooers of them dare not and loue not to come to try their doings by the light of the Word or else because the rulers of the Darknesse of this worlde worke them in the reprobate Darknesse should make vs remember what we somtime were and what we be now called vnto and how we should therefore walke and lead our liues leaste wee declare our selues to be vnfaithfull and shewe that wee loue Darknesse better then light which is flat damnation Dawbers AS Dawbers that dawbe Walles with Morter which was neuer tempered cannot make those walles continue for that the morter crumbleth away So false and lying Prophetes that speake in the name of the Lord that which he neuer commaunded them can not make their wordes true or to come to passe as they haue promised Death THe death of all men doth admonish vs of the trueth and constancie of gods worde and how certayne that is which he once hath vttered The Death of the godly which yeelde their soules to god ioyfully shoulde make vs consider y t though death be the last enimy that shall be destroyed that is to say abolished yet he is already swallowed vp by our Sauiour Christe in victory and his sting taken away and so after a sort for euer destroyed because his power of hurting and harming Gods people is taken from him When righteous and mercifull men dye and are taken of the earth It is time for vs to looke for euilles which God will sende vppon vs for our sinnes from the sight and greefe of which God hath taken them away By this that all men dye wee are taught that all men are sinners When we see howe harde a thing it is for a man bee hee neuer so good or so welbeloued to finde another man to suffer Death for him We are to consider the vnmeasurablenesse of the loue of Christe who died for vs not onely when we were moste sinfull wretches but also moste spitefull enemies to him Further death shoulde teache vs to dye to sinne As the bandes of matrimony are set free by the Death of one of the married couple So are we by Christe made deade to the Law and freeed from the yoke seruitude and bondage of it When wee see God plague vs with the sicknesse and Death of greate numbers Then are we to enter into our selues diligently to spie the cause thereof And especially to looke whether our grosse contempt of the Worde and vnreuerent abusing of the sacrament haue not procured the same Deade men can doe nothing that liuing men should doe So when we are deade in sinne wee coulde doe none of those thinges which declare and shewe foorth our life in Christe As great a myracle therefore as it is for deade men to bee raised againe So is the chaunge that Christe hath made in those that be his Christe by dying not onely ouercame death but also him that had Lordshippe ouer Death that is the Diuell and that to this ende that Death now shoulde be no more fearefull and terrible to vs. Defence ALl outwarde means of Defence when men passing by God put their confidence in them are but vaine As Siluer Golde Horses Charriots high Towres strong Walles victualles â—trong men valiant captayns honorable persons â—age graue couneellers c. Put not therefore â—our trust in princes nor in y e sonnes of men for â—n theÌ„ ther is no help But know y t he is accursed that maketh flesh his arme Therefore though some trust in Chariots and others in Horses yet the people of God aduaunce their standerdes in the name of the Lorde And when their mighty enemies are brought downe and fallen they rise and stande vpright Dewe AS the morning Dewe soone after the sonne rising vanisheth away So the strength glory prosperity and pride of the Idolaters is by God soone brought to naught Debters IF we when we haue poore and needy debters pitying their pouerty do forgiue their debtes and then thinke that by good right we may challenge loue and the more loue where we haue moste forgiuen then are wee to thinke howe much and how deepely we are bounde to loue Christ by whom so manye and so great thinges are forgiuen vs. Dearth DEarth is procured to countries and nations by their great and grieuous offences especially by Idolatry whereof we haue example in the dayes of king Achab next by periury as appeared in the dayes of King Dauid three and ready to kicke against their keepers so is it with very manye men the more temporall blessinges and worldly commodities God heapeth vppon them the more they kicke againste him and will be the lesse ruled by his Ministers and Word Father THe naturall pietie and compassion that Fathers and mothers haue towardes their infants doth teach vs how much greater the compassion of our heauenly Father is towardes vs his children And if our Parents are ready to giue their infantes good thinges when they begge or craue then much rather we shall be denyed nothing if we in faith do begge and craue of God And if Parents be carefull according to their abilitie to prouide thinges needfull for their children how can we want any thing at the handes of our GOD which he knoweth to be good and needfull for vs Also Christe hath therefore in praying taught vs to to call him father that we might be admonished to come with such reuerence as Children owe vnto their Fathers that we come not in confidence of our selues or anye thing in vs but in confidence of his mediation by whom in whom we are made the
in the Church of God ought by long study and meditation aforehande to be throughly furnished and stored with al maner of doctrine and comforts needfull for euery sort of men The housholder that feareth theeues wil cause his house to be diligently watched and looked vnto least the theefe come vpon him at vnawares of him we should learne to be watchfull and to be prepared for the comming of our Lord and Sauiour who wil come in an hour wherein he is least looked for Horses WHen God by his Ministers doth teach and instruct vs in the way that we should goe and we continue as before ignoraunt neither vnderstand the thing which is taught vs then we be like Horses and Mules which muste be ruled with bitte and bridle In battel an horse is but a vayne helpe neyther can he deliuer his rider thorough his much strength For the horse is prepared against the day of battaile but saluation is from the Lord. Husbandmen AS Husbandmen that misuse their Landlord and his seruaunts which he sendeth to them for the rentes and profits of his land are worthely and iustly thrust out others planted in theire roomes so wee haue seen the Iewes cut off from beeing the people Church of God for misusing of Christ his Apostles and prophets and so assuredly shall al they be that dispise and naught set by and cruelly misuse and intreat the Ministers of the gospell the preachers of the truth which are sent vnto them As husbandmen waite patiently forthe fruite of the earth tarry for the former and latter rain so all Christians ought patiently to abyde and waite for the comming of our sauiour Christ. Husbandrie FIeldes barren and vnpleasant made fruitfull by paines and good Husbandrie doe shewe vnto vs what difference there is betwixt vs in the time of ignoraunce our selues when God by the teaching and paines of his ministers hath made vs his husbandry Idlenesse BY slouthfulnesse the roofe of the house goeth to decaye and by idlenesse of the handes the house droppeth thorough and is neither able to keepe out winde nor raine Idolles THe images of the gentiles were siluer and golde so were the images of the Papistes They were borne by men and set in their places and so stoode and could not remooue themselues from thence According to the number of their Cities and Uillages so were the multitude of their Patrons represented by images They did think them bookes and teachers They fell down afore them made prayers vnto them They sware by the names of their Idolles They did ascribe vnto them help deliuery from dangers yet could they not helpe them selues For by Gods iust iudgement they were taken broken down and destroyed and consumed by fire so are the images of the papistes But there resteth a sentence of malediction wo and curse aswell to the image maker as to all that say to wood awake or to stone rise vp Idolatrie IDolaters in falling downe to images do humble them selues to hell yet they are verye constant in their religion and verye rarely and seldome giue ouer and forsake their false Gods which constancie of theirs ought to make vs ashamed of our inconstancie and coldenesse in professing the truth yea they ascribe the blessing of plentye to Idoll seruing and penurie and miserie to the leauing of that seruice Ignoraunce WHen we see in this light of the gospell many vile and grose sinnes let vs remember that it is the iust iudgement of God against this vnthankfull worlde partly for that men that know him doe not glorifie him as God and partly for that in so great and diuers meanes to know god many haue had no regarde or care to know him and therefore are giuen ouer into reprobate mindes Image WHen we enter into the Churches of Papistes and see how they be decked with Images of all sortes which notwithstanding they be well shapen yet haue no maner of sence in them then are we to remember that by the iust iudgement of God in sence and vnderstanding of matters pertayning to GOD and the life to come such as the images are their makers are also togeather with all them that put their trust in them The image makers are vanitie it selfe and God hath shut their eies that they can not see nor vnderstand What an absurde thing it is when they haue burnt one peece of a tree to make an image of an other peece of the same and to bowe downe to it Therfore when we see them in their churches cense their images knocke kneele and praye to them then let vs call to mind that God sayeth I am the Lord this is my name and my glory will I not giue to an other neither my praise to grauen images For he is God and there is none other and there is nothing like him or whereby his likenesse may be expressed Therfore we may not imagine the Godhed to be like siluer or gold grauen or carued by the art inuention of man Christ our sauiour is the verye Image of God in whom God hath reuealed and made knowne him selfe and he is the expresse forme of the fathers person Iudging WE are to take great heede and to be very carefull in Iudging of others and when we iudge we are to iudge iustly which we can neuer do except we iudge by the Word the iudgement whereof must stand at the last day and when we do iudge others we are diligently to view consider our selues whether the like or greater falts be not in vs worthy reformation For otherwise we shall both bewray our selues to be blind hipocrites also ignorantly when we think not of it giue sentēce aganst our selues as Dauid did Besides in outward and indifferent things we must take heed how we iudge our brother for he is not our seruant he standeth or falleth vnto his Lord he and we all shall stande before the iudgement seat of Christ and be there iudged Iudges IUdges are adorned with the name of Gods because they are Gods deputies amongst men and for that cause are to be highly reuerenced of men wherfore such are to be chosen as are of courage that is such as feare not y e face of man Men dealing truelye and hating couetousnesse such as in iudgement neither for pittie to the poore neither for reuerence to the rich decline from iustice neither can be drawn to follow a multitude nor in iudgement to follow the sentence of manye to ouerthrow right but alwaies seeke and search to giue true iudgement to all as well strangers as Citizens hauing alwayes before their eyes that they execute not the iudgements of man but of the Lorde who is euer present with them in the examination and iudgement of the cause Iewell LOoke
coyned teacheth vs that those externall things are his and that in those wee owe him subiection and are to bee at his commandement for they all are his we his subiectes haue them of him and vnder him and by the benefite of his Lawes and therefore wee are commaunded to giue him tribute because to him it belongeth Moath AS moathes eate garmentes and Wormes wool so the wicked shall be fretted away and consumed Wherefore we neede not greatly to feare theire reproches rebukes and threates And GOD shall be come like a moth and rottennesse to those that beare the name of his people and yet abound in wickednesse The moath eating the canker corrupting the theefe stealing shoulde cause vs by the consideration thereof to alienate our minde from that which eyther so shortly perisheth or so quickly chaungeth his owner and therefore can tarry with vs we know not how little while Those that let their clothes lye by them till they be moath-eaten seeing euery day a number of naked soules to want them shall haue their own moath-eaten garmentes to be a witnesse against them to their condemnation at the day of iudgement Mourners WHen at buriall and at other times wee see men mourne and in heauinesse then wee are to remember that wee are to mourne and lament for our wickednesse and sinnes If we looke to be spared at the hands of God in the day of the generall destruction of the Lande for impiety Morsell A Dry morsell is better for man with peace quietnesse then a house full of al delicates with brawling and strife Morter WHen we see thinges brused and broken in a morter then are wee to remember that all correction is in vaine bestowed vppon a foole to bring him to learning and wisedome for it will not be as long as folly abydeth with him which can by no meanes be chased from him Mountaines AS farre as the great and huge mountaines exceede the rest of the earth so farre do the iustice of God exceede and excell the righteousnesse of any creature Myre AS a man or Beast that suddeynly falleth into a deepe quagmyre whereof hee can finde no bottom must needes perish except there be some at hand to drawe him out so he that falleth into extreame aduersitie except God do help him out must needes be therein ouerthrown and perish Mite WHen wee see men giue largely to good and godly vses and amongst them some poore men giue gladly of that little which the Lorde hath lent them then are we to remember that it is not the quantitye of the gifte but the cheerefulnesse of the giuer which the Lorde liketh Mustard THe smalnes of the seede of mustard compared with the greatnes of the encrease therof teacheth vs from how smal vnlikely beginnings God doth bring foorth his Church to a wonderfull encrease and largenesse The consideration whereof is a great comfort to those whose labors God employeth in those places where least likelihoode is that they shoulde doe good Milke MIlke serueth vsuallye to feede children and infantes which when we see we are to remember that all are not capable of one and the same manner of instruction but we ought otherwise to deale with yonglinges and nouices in Christ then with those that are grown to more strength and knowledge For the rudementes of religion and the first principles and as it were the A.B.C. of Christianity is as milk for babes in Christe And a deeper insighte and knoweledge of the true vnderstanding of the word of the doctrin comprehended in y e same is meat for thē which are further grown are mē in Christ. Therfore if we be regenerate and borne again in Christe we are to desire the sweete and sincere milke of the worde without anye mingle mangle of traditions or humane doctrine that we may growe thereby Needle THe smalnesse of the eye of a Needle compared with the greatnesse of a Camell shoulde make men remember how great and dangerous an euill it is for men to be possessed of their possessions so that as it is impossible for a Camell to goe thorough the eye of a needle so also is it impossible for such a rich man to enter into the kingdome of heauen for he hath made his golde his God though he do not so think nor perswade him selfe Nette AS the net craftely laid encloseth a number of fish so y e wicked by their priuy deuises seek to catch draw into their danger y e godly But god on y e other side both maketh them fall into their own nets which they haue laid for others and also maketh the hands of their enimies to be nettes snares to catche them Further they that ascribe their wealth and other blessinges of this life to the outward meanes and instrumentes whereby they haue gotten those things are like fisher men which when they haue sped well do goe burne incense and offer sacrifice to their nets Nurce EUen as a Nurce doth fauour and with all mildnesse foster and cherish his Children euen so ought a minister with all kindnesse and lemtie to cherish his flocke Obligation THe making sealing and giuing in euidence of Obligations and other hand wrightinges shoulde make vs remember that there were as many hand writinges against vs to condemn vs in the time of the law as there were ordinaunces of the law to be executed or exercised of vs and the cancelling discharging and defacing of obligations or other such writinges shoulde bring vs to a thankfull remembraunce of Gods great goodnesse and kindnesse in Christ who when we stoode so manye wayes indebted hath not onely payd our debts but also hath put out and cancelled the obligations and hand writinges of the law which were against vs. Obstinacie WHen we see any place wherein the graces of God most mercifullye offered by the preaching of his Worde are obstinately refused and maliciously resisted Then are we most hartely to lament their miserye for that their state and condition in the daye of iudgement shall be farre more miserable and wretched then the condition or estate of Sodome and Gomorrha or any other vpon whom God hath executed most iust iudgementes and most terrible punishment Othe WHen we see men beleeued vppon their Oath then let vs remember how much more we are bound to beleeue the promises of God seeing to shew the stablenesse of his councell he hath bound himselfe thereto by his Oth. Men in common speech are not to sweare but their communication must be yea yea nay nay But it is lawfull for them to sweare so it make for the better credit of the ministery of the word for the readier beleeuing of the doctrine of the truth for the preseruation of loue amongest men and for the ending of contentions But then in our othes we must vse the name
which haue seene him shall say where is he The tokens then of pryde that abound and are plentiful amongst vs do shew sharpe vengeance and iudgementes at hand Because the Daughters of Sion are hautie and walke with stretched out neckes and with wandering eyes walking and minsing as they goe and making a tinckling with their feet Therefore the Lord shal make the heades of the Daughters of Sion balde and the Lord shall discouer their secreat partes For god doth resiste the proud and giueth grace to the humble and meeke Pleasure WHen we see foolishe men drowned in voluptuousnesse and pleasures and not hauing any regarde to godlinesse honesty or comelinesse then are we to remember Salomons admonition that pleasure is neuer comely for a foole and most commonly the immoderate loue of pastime bringeth them to pouerty and beggerie Raine THe Raine maketh the new mowen grasse freshly to spring againe and showers so comfort the earth that it yeeldeth the fruites thereof Euen so shall Christe refreshe foster nourishe and cherishe his people As a raging Raine beateth the Corne downe and washeth away al before it so when one poore man oppresseth an other commonlye it is without pittie or mercy Raine and snow falling from heauen retourneth not thither againe but watereth the earth and maketh it fruitfull Euen so the worde that commeth out of Gods mouth shall not retourne voyde but shall accomplishe and bring to passe that which God will and shall prosper in that wherevnto he sent it The raine falling from Heauen and causing the earth to yeelde her fruit was at all times and is still to all ages an open and a plaine euident testimonye of the goodnesse of God so that no man can excuse him selfe of ignoraunce The earth that drincketh in the raine that commeth oft vppon it and bringeth foorth nothing profitable for the vse and behoofe of man sheweth what is to be hoped of that man whome the knowledge of the Worde doth in no part reforme Rasour AS a sharpe Rasour with the least touch that can be shaueth and cutteth so doth also the tongue of a mischeuous lying man Rebellion WHen we see a stubborne frowarde and vnruly Woman brawle skoulde chide and rebel against her husbād we are diligētly to look into our selues how y e case standeth betwixt vs God for commonly y t expresseth vnto vs our vnrulinesse rebellion against God but all that resist God shal be confounded for rebellion is as y e sinne of witchcraft and transgression is wickednesse and Idolatry Therefore Samuel saide to Saule because thou hast cast away the worde of the Lord therefore the Lord hath cast away thee from being king To resist man whome God hath set ouer men is to rebell against GOD. Wherefore God him self hath set vpon rebellion and contumacy against magistrates parentes no lesse penalty then death His wonderful iudgments against such are to be seene in Core Dathan and Abiron and also in Absolom Reede A Reede shaking too and fro with euery little small winde declareth the inconstancy and mutability of the common sort of people whome euery small trifle doth cause to alter their minde and iudgement When wee see any passe by a brused reede and not breake it we are to remember that our sauiour Christ did beare with many infirmities in those which were his least hee shoulde breake of or quench those good thinges which began to appeare in them And of him we are also to learne by bearing and forbearing to cherish and foster such good as we see beginneth to liue and growe in our weake brethren Reward AS the price or best game for running cannot bee obtained of any that eyther runne not or else giue ouer afore they be at the end of their race so none canne attayne the celestiall Crowne of glory but they which perseuer in the right trace of Christianity vnto the end And as they which runne in a race hauing onely regard to the reward make them selues as light and as nimble as they can and therefore throw awaye whatsoeuer is heauy or may hinder their swiftnesse so we in our course to heauen hauing that glory onely before our eyes shoulde throw from vs sinne which like an heauy burthen hangeth vpon vs and whatsoeuer else may hinder vs in the way and course to life euerlasting Yet in this course the greatest paines that can bee taken and the greatest perfection which is possible for men to attaine vnto is not meritorious neither can deserue life And therefore our Lorde and sauiour teacheth vs when wee haue done all that is commaunded vs to say and confesse that we are vnprofitable seruaunts though hee of his meere liberality for our better comfort and encouragement in all good things hath promised large and liberall rewards Robbery WHen we see men which haue no conscience in getting liberall to the poore and to other things in common intendment good Then are wee to put them in minde that God hateth and abhorreth to accept robberye or theeuerye for burnt offerings To loue gifts and to hunt after rewardes in princes and men of Authority is cozen germain to robbery Rockes AS y e rocks that are hard to be clambred vnto are good refuges for the afflicted to fly vnto from the face of their pursuers So God is the safetye of all such as in distresse do flye to him for succour As hee that setteth the foundation of his howse vpon a firme rocke may bee sure that the Foundation shall bee able to beare the waight of that which shal be set vpon it and that no raine or floude shall wash it away so hee that buildeth his faith vpon Christe as he is set out and preached vnto vs in the gospell shall be sure that hell gates that is all the power force and cunning of the Diuel shall neuer be able to preuaile against him Rodde SO oft as the childe seeth the rodde he is to cal to minde these lessons following First that it is fit for the back of him that wanteth wisdome and that therefore correction is necessarye for him that is to be enstructed and taught For correction and instruction is the very way and path to life Wherefore they must thinke that if Father or Master spare his rodde that he loueth not his Childe but that then hee loueth him when he beginneth to chasten him betimes For naturally folly is bound to the heart of euery childe But the rod of correction doth driue it or scowre it away Therefore parents should not with-hold correction from their children For as the commō prouerb is birtch breaketh no bones neither moderate correction bringeth daunger or death but oftentimes it bridleth and keepeth backe him that otherwise woulde runne headlong into hell and so is a meane to saue his soule For it bringeth him
or store-howses men keepe all manner thinges to serue their purposes so God keepeth in store weapōs of his wrath to reuenge him self vpon the wicked for the iniury and violence done to his Church Treasure that by some occasion hath bene long and closely hid It is a rare matter to find it which sheweth how few there be that vnderstand and know of the ritches of the kingdome of God And as the man that findeth the treasure can not iustly enioy the same except at his great charge he first straine him selfe to purchase the soile So heauenly riches cannot bee had but of them which if neede so require can be content to forgoe all their worldly wealth for it As great and ritch treasure is many times hid in an homely earthen vessell So it pleaseth God to put the precious knowledge of him selfe and his truth into pore weake and fraile men Vapour AS vapours appeare for a little while and afterward vanisheth quite out of sight So the life of man is quickly vanished and gone Vessell A vessell howe profitable soeuer it hath beene to the owner and how necessary for his turn yet when it is broken it is throwne awaye and regarded no longer which is a plaine image and an expresse forme of a man forsaken of those whose friend he hath beene so long as he was able to stand them in steede As in a great howse there be many vesselles of sundry sortes to diuers vses not only of gold and siluer but also of wood and earth some for honour some for dishonour so in the outward society of the Church there bee men of all sortes appointed for diuers endes wherefore we are diligently to looke about vs that we may bee vesselles apt and meete for the Lorde being prepared for euery good worke A vessell the weaker it is the more it is to be fauored and spared if we will haue it continue so a woman because of her infirmityes is much to be borne withall Vine AS a vine when the fences thereof are broken lieth open to the waste and is spoyled of euery beast of the feelde so the people and church of God when for their sinnes God seemeth for a time to withdraw his protection and defence is subiect to the iniuries violence of all sorts of the wicked A vine planted which neither for choise of good groūd neither for any other thing which the hand of the husbandman might do to it can iustly complaine of any want and yet deceiueth the husbandmans expectation and maketh him to loose both paine and cost expresse the vnkindnesse of people oft times who woulde be couuted for the people of God and whome God hath diligently called to the knowledge of himselfe by the preaching of the worde and yet proceede in impiety and vngodlines Of the shredings of the vine commeth no profit neither can they serue for any other vse but for y e fire so those whom God cutteth casteth of from his church can serue for none other end but for the hell fire A Vine representeth to vs Christe the braunches representeth Christians As branches can not bring foorth fruite except they abide in the Vine so Christians cannot bring foorth fruits of righteousnesse except they abide in Christ. The husbandman or dresser of the Vine representeth to vs God the father For as the vine-dresser cutteth of euerye braunche that bringeth not foorth fruite and letteth it wither and maketh a fire of it so God doth cut of fruitlesse Christians and throwe them into hel fire And as the vine-dresser doth purge the fruitfull braunches that they may bring foorth more fruite so God by diuers meanes doth purify and clense his children that they may be the more fruitfull Virgin CHriste by the parable of the fiue wise and of the fiue foolish Virgins teacheth vs how profitable and good it is for vs if we watch and bee prepared against his comming againe in glory And again how dangerous it is if we be a sleepe and vnprepared at his comming Viniger VIniger is as bad and hurtfull to the Teeth as smoake is to the eyes and yet more hurtfull then eyther of both is a slouthfull seruant to him y t sendeth or setteth him about any busines Viper AS Vipers broode destroyeth them that breede them So generally the children of them that murthered the prophetes and shewed cruelty to the saints of God fulfill the measure of their fathers and are vnmercifully bent against al those that seeke their life and saluation Wages WHen men receiue the wages which they earne then let them take heede least they earne at Gods hand by sinning for the wages of sinne is death Way AS oft as wee walke in the high wayes and common pathes we shoulde call to God to direct vs in his ways and to guid vs in his paths for the way of the wicked is as daungerous to walk in as an exceeding slipperye way to them that walk in the dark Yet it is very broade and well beaten meruailous many tread it though it lead to destruction As oft as we walke to a place whether leadeth no more wayes but one we shold remember that Christ is the onely way to heauen and that no man can come to the Father but by him VVall. A Wall when it beginneth to bowe or is shaken will shortly fall euen so ruinous is the seate of the wicked howsoeuer it seemeth to be A whited or painted Wall the brauery whereof serueth for no profite but for a meere shewe seteth foorth the profite that commeth to the common wealth by those iudges which sitting in place of Iustice doe wrong to men contrary to the lawes VVaights TO buy by an heauier waight to sell by a lighter is abhominable in the eyes and sight of God VVaste AS soile that hath lyen long waste by good husbandrye is rid and often broughte to flowrish with corne or grasse so the Churche of God after long persecution Is by the power and goodnesse of God brought againe to a flourishing estate Warre CIuill dessension and warre is commonly by Gods iust iudgement sent into those landes for their sinnes which he wil afterward destroy and bring to desolation in short time The roote and welspring of all contentions warres grow from our corrupt lusts and affections that fight and striue in our members Upon stubborn trāsgressors of Gods law God will sende a sword to auenge the quarell of his couenaunt And when they flye into their City he will send pestilence among them and they shall bee deliuered into the hande of their enimy In warre peace is to be offered and to bee perfourmed to them which peaceably yeelde themselues and are content to become Tributaries If we be of great skill in warlike affayres we are to blesse God who teacheth our handes to fight and our
fingers to battell VVater SO often as we see y e waters of y e sea we are to praise the goodnesse of the Lord who gathered them together on a heape and to maruell and wonder at his power who hath set them boundes which they may not passe and doores and barres whereby they are kept within theire appointed limits and can not returne to couer the face of the earth As the raised waters with great raines fall sodainly with greate rage and perill of drowning to many so are the persecutions of the Church if God do not miraculously rescue it from them But though his people passe through y e waters he wil be with them throgh the flouds yet they shall not ouerthrowe them For God maketh for them awaye in the sea and a path in the mighty Waters As water refresheth the thirstye and as flouds do moysten the dry land and make it fruitful so God by his spirit reioyceth the people of his Church and powreth out aboundance of his blessinges vpon them As water runneth and falleth awaye so shall all handes be weakned and knees shal shrinck when God shall punish impietie and wickednesse As cleane water washeth and maketh cleane our bodyes so the spirite of God maketh our harts and soules cleane in the eyes and sight of God As the water of mighty floudes doe with great violence and rage flowe and can not be stopped so the wrath of the Lorde commeth vppon the wicked who peruert al lawes and all religion A cup of water should bring to minde that the least liberalitie that can be giuen for Gods cause shall not scape vnrewarded at the handes of God If he that is a thirst doth greedely and ioyfully receiue a cup of water to quench his thirst and to ease him for a little time how much more greedely should we receiue the water of life whereby the thirst of our soule shall be quenched eternally As waues of water are tossed and carried away by force of wind so he that prayeth without faith must needes be carryed of euerye forcible affection and therefore can not looke to obtayne his peticions Waxe AS waxe melteth with the heat of the fier so the hart of man fainteth with the greatnesse of troubles and tribulations And as waxe melteth at the heat of the fier so the wicked perishe at the presence of God For how can they abyde his presence when the great huge and mighty mountaynes doe melt thereat as waxe Webbe AS the Spiders webbe is now whole and straight waies broken almost for the least thing that may happen vnto it so the expectation of the wicked faileth deceiueth them And as of those webbes no man can make cloath to cloath him so they who bend their wittes to conceiue mischiefe and whose whole labour is to bring foorth iniquity shall not reape profit by their deuises and paines Weapons ONe Nation stirred vp against an other to execute the vengeance of God are the weapons of Gods wrath Welles AS welles dry in the bottome deceiue them which seeke for water in them So they which looke to learne a truth at the handes of false Prophets are deceiued of their expectation VVeather MEn easely waxe cunning to fore-see what Weather will shortly happen by the standing of the wind by the gathering of the clowds and by other tokens which as it did condemne the slouth of them which liued in the time of Christe because they were not carefull not diligent to marke the tokens whereby they shoulde haue knowne the comming of Christ So also it will condemne vs if we marke not neither obserue the tokens of the Seconde comming of Christ. Wheat WHeat except it be sowed in the grounde and there dye and not spring againe and so multiply so the knowledge of those benefits which we haue by Christe after his death encreased grewe and multiplied throughout the whole world Wicked WHen we see wicked men whose whole delight is in wickednesse and all whose studyes are vanitie and abhomination then we may well conclude that these men haue sayde in their hartes that there is no God Widow WHen we see a Widow in extreame griefe for the losse of her husband and of her children because she is now destitute of all helpe comfort then let vs remember that such griefe and affliction God will bring vpon all those which when they flourishe and are in prosperitie are proud and vnmercifull The continuall weeping of a Widow forsaken of all her friendes representeth to vs the wofull estate of a Citie destroyed and desolate VVife HE that findeth a good Wife findeth a good thinge and receiueth fauour of the Lorde Houses and ritches descende from parentes to their children by inheritance but a wise and prudent Wife is the gratious gift of the Lord. VVildernesse WHen men are driuen to hide them selues in wild desart places where all things are wanting y t should serue for y e necessary sustenance of man Then are they to comfort them selues with the power and goodnesse of God who hath taught vs by good experience that he can and will extraordinarilye prouide for his by giuing foode from heauen water out of the hard rockes by making their apparrell neither to weare nor teare by making rauens to feed them by giuing extraordinary strength to endure with out meat a great time Winde AS wind sodenly passeth away with a blast so also sodenly passeth the life of man As they which haue nothing to feed on but the wind do famishe and pine away and so perishe so they which are fed with fayre promises and set their hope and confidence in the defence of men are deceiued and left destitute in their most need The winde bloweth in what quarter of Heauen it listeth and where it beginneth blowing where it endeth no man can tell neither can any man deuise meanes to stop the course of it euen with the like libertye and with the like open apparaunce worketh the spirit of God where and in whom he will and no power nor abilitie of man is able to resist and withstand it Wine AS new Wine will burst the vesselles which it is put in except they haue a vent So a man desirous to heare him self can by no means hold his tongue Wine is a mocker and stronge drincke is raging and whosoeuer is deceiued therewith is not wise Looke not vppon Wine when it is red and when it sheweth his colour in the cup and goeth downe pleasantlie in the ende thereof it will bite like a Serpent and hurt like a Cocatrice When we see men make no conscience how they get but think al wel inough so they bestow some part vpon God and good vses we are to remember the threatning of the Prophet against them that drincke the wine of