that was borne blinde Thou art wholly borne in sinne and doest thou teach vs Iohn 9.34 So likewise a number think themselues too wise too learned too politicke and too cunning to bee taught or controlled of God or his word who say in their heart with Pharao Who is the Lord that I should heare his voyce c. Why the Workes of Christians are called sacrifices 1 AS the Sacrifices of the old Iewes were commanded from heauen to the Priests were chosen applied sanctified and accepted So in our Sacrifices it is necessary that there be a commaundement a choise an application a sanctification and that they be accepted of God 2 As in old time it was not lawfull to offer a Sowe or any vncleane beast by the lawe but onely such as were cleane according to the lawe So the Workes that Christians should offer must not be vnclean that is either forbidden by the word of God or hypocriticall or superstitious but such as God commaundeth 3 Like as the cleane Lambe which should be offered was seperated from the rest of the flocke So by faith our Workes are to be seperated from the like Workes of prophane people 4 As the ceremoniall sacrifice was applied to the Altar by the hand of the Priest laid there-vpon So likewise our Workes shall be applied to the Altar through Christ by whose handling they are sanctified 5 Euen as those old sacrifices were consumed with fire from heauen and sanctified So in like maner our sacrifices through the merite of Christ inflamed by the holie Ghost are sanctified with fire from heauen and are accepted through Christ 6 As Christ maketh our obedience gratefull and deserueth that our obedience both in the Crosse and also in the lawe of sacrifice is commended So our sacrifices please not in respect of any excellencie of merite but through Christ in whom God wayeth our Workes that he may accept them as worthie sacrifices 7 As the faultie sacrifice of the old people which came to the Altar through errour and touched the Altar was not chaunged for a better but was taken as purged and holie by reason it had touched the holie place So our Woorkes albeit they be verie faultie yet become they cleane and apt for holie sacrifice and acceptable to God through touching our Altar Christ who through faith is touched 8 As in the earthly Ierusalem there was onely but one Altar for sacrifices So likewise in the heauenly there is but one vpon which we do offer when we depend vpon the merite of Christ that our Sacrifice may be holie and acceptable vnto God Youth commeth not againe after old age 1 AS after Winter commeth Sommer but after olde age come 〈◊〉 Youth againe 2 As the Cipres-tree the more it is watered the more it withereth and the oftner it is lopped the sooner it dieth so vnbridleth Youth the more it is by graue aduice counselled or due corrections controlled the sooner it falleth to confusion Youth flexible to good or bad 1 AS water on â—e ground wil follow the tracing of the finger put inâ—o it and leading it So yoong yeares are flexible and eaâ—ie to bâ— drawne to either part good or bad 2 As the Acanthâ—â— bred in the Thistle feedeth on the Thistle and the Grash 〈◊〉 bred in the grasse lieth in the grasse So in like manner â—o â—th bred and brought vp in sinne will lie in it and 〈◊〉 be drawne from it Zealeâ— AS Zeale must erect our discretion that we we run not too slowly So discretion must direct our Zeale that we runne not too fast 2 As all Zeale without discretion is an offering without an eye which was by God forbidden Leuit. 22.22 So likewise all blinde Zeale is a blinde offering which God will neuer accept 3 As Minerua is said to put a golden bridle vpon Pegasus that hee should not flie too fast So in like sort our Christian discretion must put a golden bridle vpon Pegasus that is our earnest Zeale least if our Zeale be vnbrideled it make vs runne out of course FINIS A Table conteining the principall heads and Common places of Similies in this Booke A. ABilitie Folio 536. Accusation Folio 1. Adams disobedience and fall Folio 37. 42. Admonition Folio 24. 177. 515. Adoption Folio 45. 47. 714. Aduersitie Folio 1. 43. 44. 45. 552. 579. Adulterie Folio 41. Adulterie spirituall Folio 194. Affliction Folio 4. 38. 131. 192. 200. 244. 326. 337. 395. 735. 753. 754. 756. 758. 759. c. Allegories Folio 37. Ambition Folio 30. Anger Folio 24. 552. 658. Anger of God Folio 3. 164. 844. Apparell excessiue and sumptuous Folio 33. 197. Application of Gods word Folio 35. Apostasie Folio 703. Armies Folio 37. Armour of Christians Folio 178. Atheisme Folio 3. 348. Reading of Authours Folio 51. 624. 633. B. BAbling Folio 280. Baptisme Folio 50. 288. Baptisme of infants and that but once Folio 48. Baptisme by a Midwife Folio 49. Beautie Folio 108. Benefits Folio 181. Birth Folio 512. Second Birth Vide Regeneration Body of Christ. Vide Christ. Bookes Folio 58. C. CAlamitie Folio 190. Calling Folio 179. 182. 192. 331. 749. Card playing Folio 197. Cares of the world Folio 60. 157. 319. 452. 494. Carelesse liuers Folio 60. 118. 119. Carnall minds Folio 60. 146. 186. 510. Care of others saluation Folio 198 330. Catechising Folio 64. Charitie Folio 120. Christ Folio 95. 126. 127. 147. 148. 149. 154. 158. 161. 163. 164. 170. 171. 172. 173. 174. 176. 177. 178. 182. 183. 184. 185. 187. 188. 189. 190. 191. 194. 195. 198. 199. 200. 201. 203. 204. 210. 218. 332. 391. 514. 689. Christ our redeemer receiued by faith Folio 123. Christ our mediatour Folio 74. Christ the obiect of faith Folio 73. Christ communicated spiritually Folio 68. 74. Christs second comming Folio 72. Christs body only in one place at once Folio 55. Children Folio 297. 793. Childrens education Folio 69. 190. 405. Children of God Folio 130. 152. 160. Children dying without baptisme Folio 155. Children disobedient Folio 192. Christians Folio 107. 149. 162. 175. 191. 192. 192. Church Folio 79. 122. 181. 193. 519. 582. Companie Folio 62. 200. Conscience Folio 75. 100. 176. 261. 751. Creation of man Folio 76. Commaundements of God Folio 77. 124. 158. The tenth Commaundement explained Folio 128. Couenant of God Folio 78. Creatures Folio 78. 175. 182. Contemplation Folio 99. Concord Folio 99. Content Folio 100. Common-wealth Folio 118. Common people Folio 118. Correction Folio 121. Confession of sinnes Folio 124. 173. 184. 388. 629. Corrupters of Princes Folio 131 Comforts for the afflicted Folio 131. 179 328. 329. 333. 503. 763. c. Couetousnesse Folio 139. 147. Continuance in sinne Folio 146. Contention Folio 164. 175. Custome Folio 176. Counsell Folio 177. 181. 195 Contempt of the truth Folio 178. 186. Crosse of Christ Folio 188. Conformitie with Christ Folio 196. Conuersation Folio 199. Counsell keeping Folio 203. Curiositie Folio 211. 827. Courtesie Folio 215. Courts of Princes Folio 215. Conuersion Folio
in Affliction c. 16. As the father doth improperly punish his childe for his fault but properly and chiefly he respecteth his amendment and to haue him to leaue his former leaude wayes and to take a better course hereafter but the childe for his part when he is beaten must first consider his fault in saying This correction is for my lewde behauiour and so endeuour to amend and to doe better afterwards Euen so God in correcting vs doth not properly respect our sinnes but our reformation but wee our selues must find out a proper cause that is our sinnes For although that sinne is the beginning euen of all bodily diseases and chastisements yet it doth not follow that God alway respecteth their sinnes whom hee most sharpely punisheth as may appeare by the answere of Christ to his Disciples c. Iohn 9.1 2. 17 As a painefull and carefull Husbandman looketh diligently to all points of his businesse and bestoweth his industrie and labour in each respect as the time and season affoordeth and as the nature and qualitie of euery graine requireth in hope thereby to receiue a good encrease and plentifull crop Euen so God trieth each way by Afflictions to draw and bring al men of all sorts and conditions in this Theatre of the world to acknowledgement of their duties and desire of their saluation 18 Like as the Husbandman after hee hath plowed vp his land sowed it doth afterward harrow it and breake the hard clods thereof and after this reapeth thrasheth fanneth and searceth the chaffe from the corne and as he cutteth pruneth and loppeth his trees and keepeth them vnder least they should grow rugged or spread their boughs too farre out of course and order and finally as he graffeth planteth and teacheth his young Sients to be naturalized in another stocke then their owne So likewise doth God deale with men in this world punishing and afflicting some with losses hinderances and other tokens of his hidden iudgement for the better trial of their patience and constancie some though euill and wicked persons he tollerateth spareth and as it were winketh at in hope of their conuersion and amendment Deut. 8.2 3. Iudg. 10.13 15 16. 11.31 Heb. 12 5 6 7 8 9 10. 19 As children take patiently correction at their fathers hand though sometime it be preposterous and otherwise then it should be Euen so wee ought to take that crosse and Affliction patiently which God layeth vpon vs knowing that hee alwayes doth it for our good and comfort 1. Pet. 4.12 13. 20 As it is a common thing to trie golde and siluer by fire Euen so it should not seeme strange to the children of God to be tried by Afflictions 21 Like as there is nothing in heauen that pleaseth God so well as that honourable obedience that his Saintes do giue him in heauen So there is nothing vpon the earth so acceptable vnto him as when his Saintes vpon earth are readie to suffer for his sake Phil. 4.5 2. Tim. 2.3 Mar. 15.21 22 As the Iewes led our Sauiour Christ to be crucified they mette one Symon of Cyren the father of Alexander and Rufus and vpon him they layd the Crosse So likewise if any Affliction be layde vpon vs for Iesus Christ his sake wee must be well contented to carrie the same as Symon of Cyren was to beare the Crosse Matthew 16.24 Mat. 26 37 38 67. 27.46.50 Iob. 2.7 8 9. 23 As there were two Crosses prepared for our Sauiour Christ the one of passion as that woodden and materiall Crosse whereon his bodie suffered outwardly the other of compassion whereby his soule suffered inwardly So there is prepared a double crosse for euerie faithfull Christian the one of the soule the other of the bodie 24 As good Iesus was crucified by the bad Iewes so also hath God decreed that his children shal be afflicted in this world least they should be damned with this world 1. Cor. 11.32 25 As the Arke of Noah rose higher and higher by the swelling of the waters of the floud Gen. 7.17 Euen so the mindes of the righteous are brought neerer and neerer to God by persecution and Affliction 26 As blowing seemeth to disperse the flames and trouble them but yet maketh them burne more cleare Euen so Affliction though it be grieuous to the flesh yet it purgeth it of many sinnes and maketh the godly farre more excellent 27 As there is no comparison of one little water-drop to the whole huge Sea or of one small grayne of dust to the mountaine Imaus Euen so the light and short afflictions and troubles of this most short race are not worthy to be compared with the great and eternall glory of the life to come 2. Cor. 4.17.18 Rom. 8.18 28 As in the fining pot the goldsmith tryeth the siluer Pro. 17.3 27.21 So likewise doth God by troubles and affliction trie the hearts of men 29 As a seruant woorking abroad in the hotte Sunne Iob. 7.2 longeth for and is gladde of the coole shade So men in Affliction and miserie are glad of a litle ease 30 Like as if two children should fight and a man comming by should parte them and after beate the one and let the other go free euery man that seeth this will say that that child which he beats is his owne sonne Euen so when God chastiseth vs Heb. 12.7 hee sheweth himselfe vnto vs as a father if we submit our selues 31 As great and mightie fishes are not bred and fedde in small riuers and sweete waters but in the salt and bitter waters of the Seas So men that are excellent very famous by reason of the notable and manifold vertues wherewith they bee indued are not delighted in the false and deceitfull pleasures of this world but are nourished and as it were sweetly cherished and brought vp in Christ with very sowre sorrowes and bitter calamities which they endure most patiently beare for Gods sake 32 As to a valiant Souldiour nothing is more noble and worthy praise then to carrie the Armour and armes of his Prince So a true Christian man esteemeth nothing of greater valure and more honourable then to beare the armes and badges of Christ his Captaine that is to be throughly touched with great crosses many Afflictions and to be well armed with godly patience Gal. 6.17 2. Tim. 3.12 33 As a Phisitiō doth minister to his sick patients sowre and bitter potions to drinke that some hurtfull humor of their bodies may be expelled So God our heauenly father and Physition willing to cure the maladies and to salue the sores of our soules doth reach vnto vs many times the cup of Afflictions troubles and miseries that our sinnes and iniquities being taken away we may be restored to the former saluation of our soules 34 As he that would mortifie his greatest sinnes must beginne to do it with small sinnes which when they are once reformed a man shall
of high or lowe degree in this world ought continually to haue his faith and hope surely built and grounded vppon Christ and to haue his heart and minde fast fixed and setled in him and to follwe him through thicke and thinne through fire and water through warres and peace through hunger and colde through friendes and foes through a thousand perilles and daungers through the surges and waues of enuie malice hatred euill speeches railing sentences contempt of the world flesh and diuell and euen in death it selfe bee it neuer so bitter cruell and tyranicall yet neuer to loose the sight and viewe of Christ neuer to giue ouer our faith hope and trust in him Can. 8.6 Psal 16.8 9. Heb. 12.2 38 As all Riuers of waters go into the Sea because they came out of it and so returne to the place whence they came So likewise euery good Christian ought to go and prease towards GOD with all his heart strength and power because hee came out from him and was created of him Hee ought therefore to looke vppon him with the eyes of a steadfast and constant faith grounded vpon his word Eccle. 1.7 39 Euen as in the midst of the Sphere is the Centre from which all lines beeing drawne doo tend towards their circumference So a good Christian man hath God for his circumference for whatsoeuer he thinketh speaketh or dooth it tendeth to Christ of whom hee is compassed round about Psal 32.10 91.4 c. 125.2 40 As some Infidels that know not Christ but are meere strangers vnto him do thinke it better to loose their liues then to violate their promises and oathes made to their enemies euen so much more Christians in such cases ought to be true and constant Ezech. 17.18 19. Iosu 9.14.18 41 Euen as mens hands were made that the one might helpe the other and the feete also because they be members of one the same body So is it the dutie of all Christians one to succour and to relieue an other in afflictions and troubles seeing the Church of God is a certaine body whereof wee are members 1. Cor. 12.26 27. Ephe. 5.30 42 As it should be against nature that one foote should hinder or smite an other So it is very vnreasonable and vngodly that one Christian should not comfort and relieue an other in their tribulations and wants Gal. 6.2 43 Like as if Hearbes watered do stil continue drie we iustly say they are dead So likewise we cannot aduow or assure our selues to be Christians watered with the spirit of Christ so long as in stead of bearing fruite by amendment of life we continue drie and withered 44 As he is not rightly called a rich man that can tell how and by what meanes a man may be exceeding rich but hee that hath riches of his owne and dooth possesse them So hee is not a good and right Christian man that can according to knowledge dispute and reason of vertue and godlinesse and can describe and define of the same but hee that is endued with vertue and possessed with true godlinesse and doth most willingly practise the same in the whole course of his life both with his friends and with his foes that man and such a woman is rightly called and is indeede a true Christian in whom the Lord hath great delight 1. Cor. 8.1 45 As burning candles doo giue light vntil they be consumed So likewise godly Christians must bee occupied in doing of good so long as they shal liue Gal. 6.9.10 46 As vnto the vngodly man said God why doest thou Preach my Lawes and takest my couenant in thy mouth whereas thou hatest to me reformed and haste cast my words behinde thee So we may be wel assured that it is not inough for Christians to haue the Gospell in their mouthes but they must expresse the truth thereof in their liues for is not inough to haue the name of a Christian but to be found a Christian indeed 47 As nature helped not Abrahams owne children but because they lacked Abrahams workes they are called Diuels sonnes So likewise the bare and naked name of a Christian without vertue is a bare title without veritie and profiteth not any at all 48 As the Paschall Lambe was eaten with sowre hearbs and vnleauened bread So the faithful Christian ought to repent him of his euill life past and to giue himselfe to puritie of life Exod. 12.8 49 Euen as a man that passeth through a strong floud or streame on foote least he stumble and fall downe setteth his eye steadily vpon the firme Land which he mindeth to attaine vnto and marketh not the swift course of the water and so goeth ouer safely and is nothing dismayed So likewise a sound and good Christian passing the raging waues of present troubles turneth away his sight his thought and all apprehension that he might otherwise haue of the miserie of them and lifting vp his eyes to heauen beholdeth there with a spirituall regard the inestinable treasures of the heauenly inheritance which hee striueth vnto and by this meanes easily surmounteth all horrour and feare of torments and griefes which commonly make alterations in mens heads and casteth them headlong into desperation 50 Euen as euery beast that is striken with lightning turneth his face toward the lightning So likewise if Christians will haue regard to God when he pleaseth them he will compel them also to haue an eye to him when hee strikes them Psal 78.34.5 51 Like as the deawy drops after great heate doth cherish the grasse Euen so good Christians do bring forth workes of mercie pittie comfort and refreshing to the people amongst whom they do liue and are conuersant Mica 5.7 Common-wealth 1 AS they which do learne Musicke at the first doo leese breake and marre sundrie Instruments as Gitterns and Lutes So the Common-wealth susteineth great detriment and losse wherein Magistrates rude and vnskilful do rule 2 As it is a thing most hard and daungerous to roote vp olde trees and to plant them of new So without great tumult and vprore you cannot alter the olde custome and vsage of the Common-wealth 3 As water mingled with wine maketh it more moderate So olde men ioyned with young men in the administration of the Common-wealth is most necessarie 4 Euen as a body without a soule is dead because it vseth not the sinewes ioynts nor members So that Common-wealth or that Citie may well and truly be said to be dead where good Lawes godly Statutes and holy Ordinances are not vsed and put in practise which are the sure binding bands of mans societie and the principall parts of a Common-wealth Common people AS they which frequent and haunt the schoole of defence do liue striue contend and fight one with an other So of the Common-people one loueth the other spoileth each other Carelesse men who forbeare to do well because others will not do so 1 LIke as if an Housholder hauing many seruants and much worke
the iudgement of the best Lawyers So then if we in our causes and earthly matters whether we bee olde or young no hardnesse can stay or hinder vs to slacke our duties but rather cause vs to vse more diligence Euen so should it be yea so would it be in hearing learning and searching out the will and Word of our heauenly Father wherby our hope is to attaine to the possession and inheritance of euerlasting life And if any part of it should seeme hard vnto vs yet that should not cause an hardnesse of heart in vs to cast off the care of the whole and vtterly to refuse to heare read or learne any part of it Iohn 5.39 Act. 17.11 30 Like as our bodies are nourished sustained with carnall and naturall foode Euen so our soules are fed and nourished by reading and hearing the Word of God 31 Like as the crowing of the Cocke was an occasion to mooue Peter to repent Euen so the Word preached by faithful Ministers is a meanes to bring their hearers to repentance Math. 26.74 75. 32 As the Arke was a blessing to those that knewe the right vse thereof as the Israelites did but it was a curse and a plague to the abusers thereof the Phylistines 1. Sam. 5.1 2 3 4. c. Euen so is the Word of God a great comfort and blessing to those that rightly vse it faithfully imbrace it and rightly practise it but it is a plague and curse to those that haue it and abuse it and do not reforme themselues by it 2. Sam. 6.3 c. 1. Chro. 13.5 Iere. 23.19 Deut. 11.27 28. 2. Cor. 2.15 16. Math. 10.14 15. Hebr. 2.2 3 4. Iere. 11.3 33 As a hungrie man will not refuse meate if it bee good and wholesome which is offered to him by a child So ought none to refuse the Word of God if it be offered sound and good though the preacher thereof be a yong man 34 As those men that dwel by the ryuer Nilus are made deafe by the great and exceeding noyse of that water Euen so many people at this day by the plentifull continuall preaching of the Gospell a lamentable thing to heare doo waxe dull hearers wearie of it and loath it euen as the people of Israel loathed Manna Mumb. 11.6 35 Like as yong children that haue Ratles when they bee new and haue them first will loue them very much and greatly delight in them so that they will not forgoe them when they eate or sucke yea and they will haue them with them in their Cradles but when they be a litle olde they will cast them away and care not for them Euen so a great number of people did make great account of the preaching of the Word in the time of ignorance and would go farre and neare to heare it who now hauing plentie of Sermons doo loath them and care not for them c. 36 As hunger is a signe of good health So likewise to hunger and thirst after Gods Word is a notable signe of our spirituall health and safetie Math. 5.6 37 As Spices smell strongest being pounned and beaten then lying whole in a bagge Or as Imbers are hottest being raked abroad and meates do nourish better being cut and shred then being eaten in gobbeth Euen so the Word of God truely expounded preached and rightly diuided is of greater efficacie and power then when it is but barely read 38 As men vsually rubbe the Chaffe from the Corne and then eate it So must the spirituall foode the Word of God be done withall if it haue any corruption added to it by the preacher 39 As by wholesome meates and drinkes the body is strengthned and increased and by the wise counsell of Physitions the sicknesse to be feared is preuented So by the word of God the faith of euerie Christian is encreased and by the admonitions thereof the daungers to bee feared are auoided whilst hee willingly giueth credite to that which is spoken 40 As the materiall seede is counted of small estimation So is the Word of God amongst the wicked and vngodly Luk. 8.11 1. Cor. 1.18 41 Like as the seede hath power to bring forth fruit of it selfe So doth the VVord of God bring forth that euen which Kings cannot cause to spring forth but by it selfe 42 As seed groweth not in the hand not being sowne So the Word of God doth not increase except it be preached published abroad and rightly diuided 2. Timo. 2.15 43 Like as worldly wise men vse to buy bookes of Statutes and to haue them in their houses to read on that they may know how to auoide daunger of Law Euen so the faithfull do alwayes set before them Gods Word and in all their doings it is their Counseller least they should come into daunger of Gods displeasure Psal 119.24 44 As a shower of raine falling vpon fire dooth easily extinguish and quench the flame Euen so the VVord of God being receiued into our hearts doth easily make all concupiscence to vanish away 45 As the skill and cunning of the Physition healeth al the infirmities and diseases of the body So Gods Word onely cureth the sicke sorrowfull and distressed soule 46 As a plant by continuall watering groweth vp at length to a great tree So a man by continuall watering of Gods Word doth at last grow vp to the full height of vertue and godlinesse 47 Like as long as the Physition doth appoint the sicke man what hee shall doo how to diet himselfe and what medicines to take there is hope of life but if hee forsake him we looke for present death So as long as God of his goodnesse lets his Word be among vs there is good hope of his loue and fauour but if hee take the same away from vs then there is no comfort left 48 As those that build without a good foundation either the wind or water soon ouerthroweth it Euē so they which in matters of faith stay not themselues vppon the Word but vpon the credite of their teachers shall not be able to withstand the subtilties of the Diuill but are easily ouerthrowne Math. 7.26 27. 49 As wheat giueth sound good and substantial nourishment vnto the body Euen so doth the true Word of God mightily and wholesomely nourish the soule 50 As a graine of Mustard seede beeing the least of all seeds and sowne in the earth when it groweth vp ariseth to a great height and beareth great braunches so that the foules of heauen may build vpon the shadow of it Euen so the Word of God and faith beeing not idle but working although in outward shewe it seeme small and slender yet dooth it by little and little spread it selfe and like a faire fruitfull braunched tree receiue daily strength and encrease Luk. 13.19 17.6 Mark 4.31 51 As the Sun which was made to lighten all things is most light So the Word which was made to cleare all things is most cleare Psal 119.105 Prou. 8.9
bondage of their Maisters with all their labours their force and diligence yea euen vnto bloud Euen so forasmuch as both our selues and all that we haue belong to God by right and hee possesseth vs as slaues and bondmen therefore what seruice soeuer we endeuour to doo him it is certaine that he can owe nothing vnto vs. Iob. 9 3 15 20. Psal 143.2 16.2 3. 5 As it hath bene sometimes said and truly reported of the Athenians namely that they knew what was meet to do but they wholly neglected to do the same Euen so many Christians know what is meete and right to doo but yet for the most part wholly neglect to do the same Luk. 12.47 Iam. 4.17 6 Like as the Lord according to his iustice and truth hath threatened terrible punishments to wicked and impenitent sinners Euen so contrariwise he hath promised rewards to them that do good Workes and worke righteousnesse Mat. 5.16 Rom. 13.9 1. Cor. 15.58 Ephe. 2.10 Phil. 4.8 Tit. 2.12 3.8 7 Like as if a man should say the Vine is made more fruitfull by bearing grapes or that the internall light of the Sunne is augmented by the externall emission of the beames So likewise for a man to say that inherent righteousnesse is by good Workes namely the fruites of righteousnesse augmenteth so to to say is not onely erronious but also ridiculous 8 Like as if a rich man not constrained but of his own good will should adopt one to be his sonne whome hee knoweth not and to whom he oweth nothing and shuld appoint him to be the heire of all his landes and goods and certaine yeares after that he hath bestowed this benefit vpon him he should lay vpon him a lawe to do this or that he cannot now say that he hath deserued this benefit by his owne works seeing that many yeares before he asking nothing had receiued the same freely and of meere fauour So God could not respect our Works and deserts going before righteousnesse for the promise and the gift of the holie Ghost was 430. yeares before the Lawe Gal. 3.16 17. 9 As it is impossible to seperate washing from water and burning from fire and good fruites from a good tree Euen so vnpossible it is to seperate good Workes from a true and a liuely faith Iam. 2.22 10 As Marchants or Chapmen doo oftentimes prise and esteeme their wares marchandise more then they be worth Euen so do we of our doings vertues and good Works but when they are examined and prised by those which know them as by the Spirite of God and his Prophets they are altogither iudged as old ragges torne tied togither and patched vp againe 11 As old Images new gilded ouer which outwardly hath some glistering shew but within are nothing but dust and durt Or as counterfeit mony which is of ill and naughty mettal how good a print soeuer it haue Euen so is the good that we do and al the righteousnesse vertue which is in vs is nothing but shame reproch Rom. 10.3 12 As the Temple sanctified the Golde that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the Gold or as the Altar sanctified the offering that was vpon it but was not sanctified by the offering Euen so good VVorkes do not beautifie a Christian man in the Lorde but the man in the Lorde doth beautifie the VVorkes Mat. 23.17 19. Reu. 14.15 13 As the Apple is not the cause of the Apple tree but a fruite of it Euen so good VVorkes are not the cause of our saluation but a signe and a fruite of the same Math. 7.17 14 As Caterpillers sometimes and blasting do fret and annoy the branches that the sap cannot haue his course and so the fruite faileth which seemed faire to the eye So rancour and displeasure diuision schisme and seperation among men being no lesse then noysome windes and Caterpillers to our Christian faith eate vp and drie away many times the sappe or iuice of loue and charitie whereby the expected fruite of good VVorkes is withered in the braunches 15 As sauoury water cannot come from a stinking puddle or sweete fruite from a sower roote Euen so no more can any good VVorke come from an vnregenerate man from a corrupt sinfull soule who although he giue his bodie to the fire for the profession and maintenance of the trueth and all his goods to the poore in a tender compassion of their miserie yet he being destitute of faith loue and the rest of the parts of regeneration dooth not by these workes please God or fulfill his Lawe 16 As the channel which is polluted and defiled doth pollute and defile the water that is without defilement in the fountaine Euen so the mind and will of man defiled by the remnant of sinne defile the Workes which as they come from Christ are vndefiled 17 As in fire there is both heate and light yet doo wee not say that the light dooth burne but the heate So in a man iustified there is both faith and good Workes inseperably yet dooth not good Workes iustifie but faith oâ—ely 18 As one Torch doth giue more light carried before then foure borne behinde So likewise our good Worke or deed done in life time and perfect health is more welcome vnto God then fortie after death 19 As the greene leaues outwardly sheweth that the tree is not drie inwardly So the good Workes openly testifie the zeale of heart inwardly Wise men 1 AS the olde naturall Phylosophers doo say that the Sunne feedeth on the salt water and that the Moone taketh her foode vppon the sweete water Euen so Wise men do seeke things bitter so as they be profitable when fooles onely passe for things pleasant and delightfull 2 As the Bee out of the most bitter things doth gather most sweet Honie So a Wise man out of things hard and vnpleasant picketh gaine and vtilitie 3 Like as Alexander did cause Bucephalus his Horse being olde to be carried on other horses to the battaile that he might be fresh for the fight So ought graue olde and Wise men be spared from labour that their good counsel might be onely regarded and had in necessities Wits 1 AS the vessell with a narrowe mouth of a long time may not bee filled but then at the length it holdeth the liquour more furer So Wits that be dull in receiuing learning wil most stedfastly remember the same once obtained 2 Like as too great a noyse hurteth the eare Or as too much meat annoyeth the stomack Or as heauie burdens hurt the bearers of them Or as too much raine doth more hurt then good to the ground Euen so weake Wits and weake consciences may soone bee oppressed with ouer hard questions Wisedome 1 AS that vessel can neuer be filled which alwayes powreth foorth and leaketh So may hee neuer receiue Wisedome which continually speaketh and at no time harkneth Prou. 17.27 Iam. 1. 19. 2 As the Asse Colt which of all other beastes