A CENTVRIE OF SIMILIES.

BY THOMAS SHELTON.

PSAL. 78. 2.

I will open my mouth in a parable.

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LONDON. Printed by Iohn Dawson, 1640.

To the Reader.

CReatures inanimate, though they have motion, and o­peration, yet they are de­prived of the knowledge of what they doe, The sea ebbs, and flowes, the sunne shines, heates and moves continually: The winde goeth his circuits, the fire burnes, the trees and plants grow, yet none of them have intelligence that they doe so, but are all carried by a secret impres­sion of the first mover, Creatures that are brutish, all the knowledge they have is bounded in the satis­fying [Page] of sensuall appetite. Man, be­ing indued with a reasonable soule, with an indefatigable motion, rea­cheth after knowledge of things, humane and divine, and is then best apaid, when his knowledg is at once divers wayes enriched, when severall things concurre to adde to his stock. Beautie is delightfull be­ing a mixture of different colours; proportion is comely being a fit composure of different members: Musicke is pleasant being a harmo­nie of different sounds.

Now that man might at once both vnderstand things that are di­vine, (and therefore in their owne knowledge above his reach) and might also reape both profit and delight God hath delivered truths in [Page] the old testament vnder types, and figures; in the new by similitudes & comparisons. There is nothing ex­cellent in nature either in heaven or earth, but God hath made vse of it to set forth the excellency of Christ, and the good things wee have by him. Christ himselfe is compared to the sunne, to water, to bread, to a vine, &c. Grace by Christ, to garments, a feast, gold, eye-salve. Glo­ry, to Throns, Crownes, Kingdomes, &c▪ that together vpon the sight, or thought of these things, we might be raised up to contemplate the ex­cellencies, in and by him. And as the best so also the worst things are this way conveyed to our ap­prehension. Sinne is compated to filthinesse, vomit, rags, &c. Sinners to Li­ons, [Page] tigers, beares, serpents &c. The pu­nishment of sin to chaines, prison, &c. that by these sensible evills wee might the better conceiue of those which are unutterable,

And for this purpose I have ad­ventured these few similies to pub­like view, that the reader at once might have profit with pleasure. I intended a far greater number; but considering how vntowardly the left-handed world reacheth things, I thought fit to pauze a while and for the present only send a few for a tast, & as I see them relished, I shall (God willing) either increase their number, or wish them in my closet againe.

I thought it not very needfull to observe a method in placing them [Page] vnder severall heads, being so few in number that they all require no long time to peruse; yet those that will not be at that paines may ease themselves by a small table annex­ed. I have also to each simile set downe a text of scripture agreeable to the scope of it, by all which that thou mayst be benefited, shal be the desire of

THOMAS SHELTON.

[Page 1]A CENTVRIE OF SIMILIES.

1. Danger of secret sins,

THE ruine of a house is not vsually by the Fire. fire on the hearth, where the greatest [...]ire is, but by some small sparke [...]hat lies hid in some corner. So [...]he soule of man is not so much Psal. 19. [...]ndangered by sinnes that are [Page 2] knowne, and so may bee re­pented of: but by those that are hidden and no notice taken of them.

2. Sin brings judgement at the last.

A Piece of Match set to a traine of Gun-powder it Gunpow­der. burneth dimme a great while but blowes up all at the last. So a sinner may go one secure­ly for a time, but at length a dart will strike through his li­ver. Prov. 7. 23.

3. Death of wicked men.

AS a mad-man after sleepe Sleepe of mad-men. is more outragious when [Page 3] the malignant humour is con­cocted. So after death a wic­ked Mat. 25. 46 man awakes with eternall horror.

4. Sin will be felt hereafter.

A Man that receives a wound Wound. in his heate, feeles it not, but when he comes to bee cold [...]t paines him. So the sins where­ [...]y Pro 13. 25. Satan wounds us, wee are [...]nsensible of them in the heat of our passion, but when we [...]re layd in the cold earth, we [...]hall feele the hurt of them.

5. Why men are not offended with others sins.

A Company of prisoners that live together in a Prison. Goale, they smell no ill sa­vour, being accustomed to it. So wicked men living in the same sins, they see no evill in Psal. 50. 18 the sins of other men.

6. God mercifull by nature.

A Flint yeeldeth not fire bu [...] by force, but a spring sendeth Spring. forth water naturally. So God sheweth not forth wrath but as provoked by sin: but he Mi. 7. 18. [Page 5] is mercifull from his owne na­ture.

7. Mercy of God supreame.

AS in a City or Corpora­tion, Magi­strates. men otherwise equal are chosen to beare rule for a time. So though all Gods at­tributes be equall: yet mercy is Psal. 145. 9. that which cheifly reigneth in Christ.

8. How to instruct the weake.

A Bottle or vessell with a Bottle. narrow mouth, liquor must be poured into it softly, or else more is spilt then filled. So Jsa. 28. 10. those of weaker capacities must [Page 6] be taught by degrees, and not surcharged.

9. The use of promises.

VVHen Chirurgions cut off a leg or an arme, they use to give the Pati­ent strong water aforehand to Strong water. comfort him. So when a judge­ment is approaching we should fortifie our selves with Gods Pro. 31. 6. promises.

10. Cause of lifes shortnesse.

A Vessell of wine kept for a mans owne vse or hi [...] Wine. friends may last a good whil [...] being moderately dranke of, bu [...] [Page 7] if those come that are strong to drinke strong drinke, that may be spent in a day, which would have lasted a moneth. So mans life which otherwise with Psal. 90. 9. temperance, and care might be spun out to 30. 40. 50. or 60. yeares, if God let in great drin­kers, as burning feaver, plague, &c. it is spent on a sudden.

11. Curse of covetous men.

AS a womans breast over­charged with milke, if it Milke. be not drawne forth, not onely paines the woman, but putrifies and becomes unwholsome. So a man to whom God hath gi­ven Iam. 5. 2. ability, that improves it not for the good of others, it turnes to his owne hurt and ru­ine.

12. How to use outward blessings.

A Man that walkes by a ri­ver, if hee follow the Ri­ver River. against the streame it will at length lead him to the spring from whence it issueth, but if he goe along with the streame it will bring him to the salt O­cean. So he that well improo­veth outward blessings, they will lead him to God the sweet Job. 29. 6. fountaine of them: but other­wise the abuse of them will bring him to the Mare mortuum of perdition.

13. Argument of mans weakenesse.

IF a man come by a house that is shored up and under­propped House. on every side, he will conclude certainely that house is weake of it selfe that needeth such stayes. So when God hath vnderpropped, and supported vs with so many helpes, his Psal. 119. 116. word, sacraments, promises, and oath &c. it is an argument of weakenesse that we cannot stand without them.

14. Defect of reason.

THe Sunne by his light Sunne. shewes us all things that are beneath him selfe, but hideth those that are aboue. So the light of naturall reason shewes 2 Cor. 2. 14. vs those things that are beneath, that are sensible, but hinders from those above that are su­pernaturall.

15. Death of wicked men vntimely.

AN apple though it hang Apple. long on the tree, yet if it be gathered before it be ripe it is pluckt untimely. So a wicked [Page 11] man though he live a long time, yet his death is untimely, be­cause Isay 66 2 [...]. he is taken away before he is fitted for death.

16. Contentment of the humble.

THe sheepe can live upon Sheepe. the bare mountains where the fat Oxe would be starved. Ezek. 34. 13. So a humble heart is content with a meane condition, which a proud spirit would murmure at.

17. Abundance of outward things a hindrance

A Man that is to travell, a great burden or pack at his Packe. [Page 12] backe hinders his journey. So worldly men hinder their pro­gresse Hab. 2. 6. to heaven by loading themselves with thicke clay.

18. Another.

ONe staffe in a mans hand Staffe. may helpe him in his journey, but a bundle of staues would be troublesome. So a competencie may helpe in the way to heaven; whereas abun­dance Mat. 10. 10 may be hurtfull.

19. Another.

PRosperitie, and abundance Long Gar­ments. are like long garments to a [Page 13] man that walkes, they will trip up his heeles if he take not heed. 2 Kin. 4. 29.

(20) Another.

AS a weake braine cannot Strong drinke. beare strong waters but is intoxicated with it. So by reason of our weakenes prosperity be­comes Hab. 2. 5. a snare to us.

21. Wicked men enioy plentie.

AN host may give better en­tertainment Host. to a stranger that comes to his house for a night, then to his own child: but Psal. 17. 14 yet he keeps his inheritance for his child. So in this world God may give more abundance of [Page 14] outward things to his enemies but he keepes the inheritance of 1 Pet. 1. 4. heaven for his children.

22 Why good mens lives are prolon­ged.

THe Rivers of themselves would run the straitest and River. directest way to the sea, but God hath set mountaines, and hills in the way, that by winding and going further about, they might the more enrich the earth. So a Christian having once tasted of Gods love desires to be dis­solved Phil., 1. 13 24 and to be with Christ; but God prolongs his life to do good to others.

23. Rewards and punishments.

VVHen the hands of Moses were feeble Aaron & Hur. Aaron and Hur supported them, that they might not fall. Re­wards and punishments are the Luke 23. 41. two hands that support good lawes that otherwise would fall to the ground.

24. A Christians carriage in all con­ditions,

AS men that are carried in a boate, they set themselves Boate. some on one side, and some on the other to poize the boate [Page 16] even. So a christian when he is ready to bee overturned with prosperity should meditate on that which may humble him, and when hee is ready to sinke Iam. 1. 9. in affliction to thinke on that which may raise him up, that his carriage may be equall.

25 Deformitie of sin.

A Looking glasse when it is whole, it representeth, but Broken looking glasse. one face to him that lookes in it, but being broken, there appears as many faces as there are pei­ces. So sin being looked on in generall, there is some deformi­ty in it, being a body of death; but being broken in peices by serious consideration, there is the Image of the Devill in eve­ry paricular sin.

26 Wicked men feare onely punish­ment▪

A Dog though he have an Dogge. appetite to a dish of meat, dares not meddle with it so long as one stands over him 1 Sam. 1 [...]. 24. with a staffe. So a wicked man sometimes abstaines from sinne, but it is onely for feare of Gods judgements.

27. Infirmities in the Saints.

AS the best Gold goes cur­rant Gold. with the graines of al­lowance: So the Saints are ac­cepted Psal. 103. 14. with God notwithstan­ding their infirmities.

28. The nature of sinne.

SInne is like to Missle-toe Missle-toe. which commonly groweth in fruit trees, yet hath no root of its owne. So sin hath no be­ing of it selfe: yet is found on­ly Iude 5. 6. in the most excellent crea­tures, men and Angels.

29. God our strength.

A Nurse sometimes lets her child have a fall to let it Nurse. know that it cannot stand by any strength of its owne. So God lets his children fall into sin that they may know, they Gen. 20. 6. are no longer safe than they [Page 19] stand by his strength, and clapse about him.

30. Fals of Gods Children.

GOd sometimes suffers his Fall. children to fall that they may grow in the roote of gra­ces, humility. As the vertue of a plant is sometimes in the fruit, as in Summer: sometimes in 2 Kin. 22. 19. the budas in the Spring: some­times in the roote, as in winter, & commonly the sharpest win­ter makes the fruitfullest spring.

31. Growth after falls.

AS after a fit of sicknesse the Sicknesse. body usually shootes up more: so a Christian after the sight of some sin hee hath fal­len 2 Sam, 24. 10. into, growes stronger in grace.

32 Strength from Christ.

AS the ayre is darke when the Sun is set though the Ayre. starres shine: so though a Chri­stian have a disposition to good, Iohn 15. 5. if Christ shine not on him, in the doing of every particular act, he is unable to doe it.

33. Vncertaintie of riches.

A Man seeing a flock of birds Birds. sitting on his ground, can make himselfe no promise of taking them: so though a man Eccles. 4. 8. be possessed of riches, he may so one be deprived of them: for riches have wings, &c.

34. Vnprofitable knowledge.

THe knowledge of every man but a Christian is like Beggar. the knowledg of a beggar, who knoweth the roade from place Prov. 15. 2. to place, but hath no setled home of his owne.

35. Difference of men after death.

THe hawke flies high, and is much made of being a­live, Hawke & hen. but being dead is good for nothing but the dunghill. The hen scrapes in the dust when she Pro. 14. 32 is alive, but being dead is brought as a choise dish to her masters table. So wicked men prosper, and good men are aba­sed in this life: but being dead the one is cast into the dungeon the other aduanced to the pal­lace.

36. A Christians ayme.

AS waters conveyed in Water. pipes will rise as high as the spring from whence they Phil. 3. 19. issue: so the soule of a Christian being touched from heaven, it will not rest till it rise thither a­gaine.

37. False friends.

MAny men that pretend Shaddow, friendship they are like the shaddow of the bodie, they follow a man while the sun of prosperitie shines: but if a cloud Jsa. 30. 2. of adversity hide that sun, those shadowes are gone.

38. Outward things variable

AS the shadow that follow­eth Shaddow. the body it is some­times longer, somtimes shorter, but the body still the same, so Phil. 4. 12. the honor and credit and wealth of a Christian may bee some­times lesse sometimes more, but the body of grace is the same.

39. Different dispositions.

THe fire that is made of Greene wood. 2 Cor. 8. 19. greene wood must have much blowing, but a fire made of charcoale is soone kindled: so the heart of a carnall man receives not holy impressions [Page 25] without much adoe, but the heart of a Christian, like char­coale having beene formerly kindled is apt to take fire a­gaine.

40. Outward blessings how disposed.

AS the Almoner of a King, Almes. or great man casts his almes among a company of beg­gars and one or two many times Psal. 10. 9. carrie all from the rest. So these outward blessings are promis­cuously bestowed, and some carry away all, and leave the rest destitute.

41. Benefit of afflictions.

AS water cast upon the smiths Smiths water, coales make them burne hotter, and brighter: so the af­flictions of Gods children in­crease Ps. 119. 71 the lustre of their graces.

42. How to understand Scriptures,

AS in tuning of a Lute, or o­ther Lute. instrument, the striking upon one or two strings help to tune the rest: so comparing one scripture with another is a help 1 Cor. 2. 13. to understand them.

43. Reward of sinceritie.

A Physitian doth not loose Phisitian. his fee though the patient miscarrie and die. So those that are sincere hearted in the 1 Cor. 15. worke of the Lord shall not loose their reward, though the successe be not answerable to their paines.

44. Discoverie of Gods love.

THe rivers a long time run Rivers. under ground till at the last they breake forth into streames, so Gods love in ele­ction, and redemption it is Isay 31. 18 concealed from a man till it [Page 28] breake forth in his regenerati­on, and effectuall calling.

45. Way to thankfulnesse.

A Traytor, though he have Traytor. the libertie of the Tow­er to walke in, and provision of meat and drinke and all ne­cessaries, yet he takes little plea­sure Psal. 32. 2. in them because his trea­son is not pardoned, but hee expects daily to be drawn forth to execution. So a man that hath all the comforts of this life, if he want assurance of the pardon of his sins, and of Gods love, he cannot bee truly thank­full for what he enjoyeth.

46. How sinners are brought to Christ

A Rebell, so long as the Hue and crie pursues him, hee Hue and crie. runs away and hides himselfe; but when proclamation of par­don comes forth hee comes in Psal. 130. 4 and submits himselfe. So the denunciation of Gods Iudge­ments affright men that they run from God, but when par­don and mercy is offred, it makes them submit to Christ as their King.

47 Infirmities to be borne with.

A Member that is distempe­red, Member. or out of joynt, is not presently to be cut off, but Psal. 103. 23. [Page 30] vsed tenderly and set in joyn [...] again, so those that are froward and pettish, and passionate, are not to bee excluded, but redu­ced to a better temper.

(48) Gods purpose effected.

THe wheeles in a watch, o [...] clock, goe contrary one to Wheels of a watch. another, some one way, some another, yet all serve the intent of the workman, to shew the time, or to make the clocke to strike. So in the world men Isay 46. 10. take contrary courses, there are good men that goe one way, and wicked men another; but all in conclusion serue to ac­complish the purpose of the great workeman God himselfe.

49. Difference of carnal & holy men.

AN Organ or winde instru­ment maketh no musicke Organ. till first there be breath put in­to it; but a stringed instrument yeeldeth musicke with a touch: A carnall man being dead must 2 Tim. 12. 2. have a new life breathed into him before he can walke holi­ly, but a child of God doth good upon a touch, upon the least occasion.

50. End of persecutors.

A Shepheard sets his dogge Shepheard▪ upon the sheepe to bring them in, and then hee rates the [Page 32] dogge, so God suffers evill men to molest his children that they Psal. 21. 20. may cleaue closer to him, and then hee punisheth those that troubled them.

51. Way to humilitie.

VVHen Bees begin to swarme the casting Bees. of dust upon them allaieth them: So when proud thoughts arise, the consideration of mortali­tie, Eccles. 12. 7 that wee must lye in the dust will asswagethem.

52. Wickednesse discovered.

A Snake while she is living winds and turnes every Snake. [Page 33] way, but being dead is laid out straight at length: so wicked subtile men have many shifts and devises while they live, but Psal. 10. 8. when they die, all is discove­red and laid open.

53. Difference of hypocrites and Chri­stians.

A Peece of metall that is but Gilt. gilt, the gilt weares off, and it is worse & worse: but that which is massie gold weares brighter, and brighter. An hy­pocrite hath a gilded outside, Pro. 10. 20. which in time weares off, and he is discovered, but a true Christi­an, though his outside may seem rustie, is pure Gold within.

54. Experience beyond knowledge.

A Phisitian knowes not the Patient. paine of the disease so well as his patient, though his learning be greater: so experi­enced Phil. 1. 19. Christians know the my­steries of God better than lear­ned men that want experience.

55. Faith and Love.

AS in making of a circle, one point of the compasse is Compasses fixed in the middle, the other is mooved about to make the cir­cle. 1 Tim. 6. 11. Faith is as the one point of the compasse that is fixed on [Page 35] Christ, and love the other point that goeth about and doeth the worke.

56. Benefit of Consideration.

AS dust that being scattered Broome. over the house, seemeth little, but being swept toge­ther becomes a heape: So the sins wee have committed being looked on with a carelesse eye, Psal. 38. 4. appeare to be no great matters, by serious consideration they prove an vnsupportable bur­then.

57. Cause of Trouble.

AS a cloth that seemeth dry Cloth. being held to the fire will be moist and smoake, the moi­sture being in the cloath not in the fire. So when men come to Iob. 42. 6. Gods ordinances they are som­times troubled, the cause is not in Gods ordinance but from corruption in them.

58. Why God aflicts his Children.

AS a Chyrurgion desires to Chirurgion take way nothing but the woūd, but somtimes it is festred Amos 49. 10. so in the member, that he is for­ced [Page 37] to cut off the member with it: So God intends we should part with nothing but sin: but it is so rivetted in us that hee is forced to take away other con­tentments that wee may part with our sins.

59. Progresse in our spirituall Iour­ney.

A Man that traivaileth, those Traveller. Townes and places that he hath passed seeme lesse and lesse, and those to which hee is ap­proaching, to appeare greater Heb. 11. 27. and greater. So a Christian in his journey to heaven the things of the world that he hath left behind, they appeare lesser and lesser; but the things of heaven greater and greater.

60. Obiect of the soule.

A Cypher stands for nothing Cipher. by it selfe, but by other fi­gures placed before it, it makes a number. So the soule of man, Rom. 6. 11. like a Cypher is valued by that which it sets before it whether it be God or the world.

61. Efficacie of Gods love.

THe Sunne casts light and Burning glasse. heate upon all the world in his generall course: but his beames being concenterate in Ephes. 1. 18. a burning glasse, it sets fire u­pon the obiect. So God in the [Page 39] creation looked upon all his workes with a generall love, but the beames of his love to his elect, shining through Christ inflames their hearts.

62. Civill men discovered.

THe glow-worme appea­reth Glow-worme. bright in the night, but is not seene in the day time. So a civill Man is some bodie in darke times among men of darke judgements: but shall be Mat. 19. 30 nothing when the day of God shall trie him.

63. Meanes effectuall by the Spirit,

AS the Arteries goe along Arteries. with the veines, without which the blood would bee a dead, loathsome thing; so the spirit of God must goe along Eph. 6. 18. with his ordinances and means or else they can effect nothing.

64. How to vse good meanes

AS the Marriner that guides Marriner. the ship, at the same time hath his hand upon the rud­der, and his eye on the starre: so Psal. 118. 25. we should be dilgent in the use of means but look up to heaven for a blessing.

65 Nature of worldly things.

AS a man that drinketh salt Salt water. water it quencheth not his thirst but increaseth it, so the things of this life being en­joyed, they satisfie not the de­sires Eccles. 5. 10 of men but enlarge them.

66. Lost labour,

AS a bad swimmer may Swimmer. reach forth his hand to save another, and drowne him­self: so a man by his parts and 1 Cor. 9. 27. and gifts may do good to others and himself be a cast-away.

67. God immutable.

AS the sun lookes red some­times Sun. by reason of vapours [Page 42] and mists, but in it selfe is al­wayes alike: So God in himself is vnchangeable, though he ap­peare Heb. 12. 29. red to vs in anger by the assending of our sins.

68. To serve God in serving men.

AS a Man that hath a ser­vant Servant. sick, and sets another seruant to attend him, he sup­plies him with those things he calls for, but it is by vertue of his masters command. So in our places though the duties wee doe bee to men yet wee must 1 Cor. 7. 22. have an eye to the command of God.

69. Not to hoord up for our selves.

THe vapours that the Sun Vapour. exhaleth from the sea are sent downe againe to moysten the earth. So the good things Heb. 6. 7. 8. that God bestoweth on us, should be dispensed to the ne­cessity of others.

70. Cure of immoderate griefe.

AS Phisitians vse, when men Bleeding. bleed excessively to open a veine, in another palce, and so 2 Cor. 7. 10. stanch excessive bleeding: so when we grieve immoderately for the losse of outward things wee [Page 44] turne our griefe upon our sins.

71. Care in Gods ordinances.

THough a scholler may be Scholler. playing when his Master walks up and down the schoole, yet he will bee carefull and seri­ous when he is saying his lesson: so though perhaps we be more Heb. 12. 2. remisse in our ordinarie vocati­on, yet we should have a speci­all eye to God, when we are be­fore him in his ordinances.

72. How to looke on transcient thing.

IF a man stand and observe Diall. the hand of a dyall he can­not [Page 45] perceive it moove, but if he come an houre or two after, he sha [...]l see that it hath mooved and that so much time is past. So if we looke on the things of the world in their passing wee 1 Cor. 7. 31. shall see no great alteration, but if wee see them past by the eye of faith wee will neglect them.

73. Flight of faith.

A Pigeon having her eyes put out flyeth directly up­wards: Pigeon. so the eye of reason be­ing shut faith ascends more di­rectly Heb. 11. 27. to divine things.

74. Grace sanctifieth all things.

AS meat may be wholsome of it selfe, yet salt makes Salt. it more savorie: So though out­ward benefits be good in them­selves, yet it is grace that makes 1 Tim, 5. 4. them blessings to vs.

75 Finall obduration.

A Tree after it is cut down Tree. may lie in the yard under the raine a long time before it be cast into the fire. So after Hos. 4. 17. God hath forsaken a man hee may continue a long time under the meanes of grace before hee be cast into hell fire.

76. Defect of worldly things.

IT is with the things of the Ducks. world and the soule as with a hen that hatcheth ducks: the duckes after a while goe into the water, the hen may hover 1 Tim. 6. 7 about the brinke but cannot follow them. So the soule af­ter a while taketh her flight in­to another world, and leaves these earthly things behind on the shore.

77. Faith and doubting consistent.

AS the Marriners needle, Marriners needle. though it bee truly tou­ched it fixeth not presently to [Page 48] the North-pole but trembles and shakes a while, and then is fixed: So faith may be true, and 1 Cor 15. 58 yet at the first weake and full of trepidation and wavering.

78. Hypocrites behaviour.

AS discontented louers upon Love-tokens. the least distast send for all their love tokens back and will goe on no further. So when hipocrites are crossed in their aymes, they repent of the good [...]al. 1. 13. duties they have done, and de­sist from Gods service, and im­brace the world.

79. Another

AS a Curre dog when his Dogge. master beats him will either flie in his face, or run from him So an hipocrite when God pu­nisheth Heb, 3. 12. him, either murmurs a-against him, or forsakes his service.

80. The force of Custome.

CHildren at the first sight of a vizor are affrighted Vizor. with it, but after a while they care not for it. So men that were sometimes fearefull of Heb. 5. 14. death: by the frequent exam­ples of mortalitie, they grow [Page 50] carelesse, and fearelesse of it.

81. Different carriage in an evill man.

HOrses, and such wild Ferry-boat. creatures, being in a Fer­rie-boate on the water, stand still and are quiet, but being once out of it, resume their for­mer wildnesse. So those that are 2 Chron. 24 2. brought up in good families are many times conformable, but being once at libertie run into excesse of riot.

82. Concealed griefe double.

AN Oven being stopped when the fire is in it, it in­creaseth Oven. the heate: So when [Page 51] men conceale their doubts and feares, and troubles from others Eccles. 4. 9. it doubleth their griefe.

83. How to know wee belong to hea­ven.

IT was wont to bee a tryall Venemous creatures. whether Land belonged to England or Ireland, by putting toads, and snakes, and other venemous creatures into it; and 2 Tim. 2. 21 if they lived there it was con­cluded it belonged to England; if they died; to Ireland. So if venemous lusts live in us, wee belong to hell; if they die by mortification, to heaven.

84. The older the world the worse.

AS a sinke, the further it Sinck. runs, the more soile it ga­thers: so the world the older it growes the worse it is: the sins 1 Tim. 4. 1. of all former times meeting to­gether in the latter.

85. Christian constancie.

AS the Kine of the Bethshe­mites that carried the Kine. Arke, though they lowed after calves, yet they went right on Psal. 119. 37. theirway. So a Christian though his heart may linger after tem­porall things, yet he keepes on [Page 53] in his course of Christianity.

86. How to regard our owne praiers.

CHildren shoote arrowes Arrowes. on purpose to loose them and never looke after them, but men when they shoot goe after [...]heir arrowes to see how neere [...]he marke they light. So wic­ked Psal. 88. 1. men when they have made [...]heir prayers have no more re­gard of them; but Gods chil­dren looke after their prayers [...]nd observe how God answers.

87. Efficacie of the Spirit.

AS in a Cordiall potion, it is not the water or the beere Drug. [Page 54] but the herbe or drug convey­ed in it that works the cure. So the ministerie of the word alone Psal. 51. 12 cannot worke upon the heart, but the spirit of God accompa­nying the ordinance.

88. Gods aime in afflictions.

THe Phisitian gives a bitter potion which some Potion. times makes the patient sicke then the disease it selfe, but hi [...] end is to restore him to healt [...] by it: So the afflictions of God Heb. 12. 11. children seeme bitter potions but God aymes at the health o [...] their soules in it.

89. Gods time the best.

THe Physitian turnes the glasse, and resolves the Mour-glass. phisicke shall worke so long, the patient desires ease, and cries Psal. 31. 15 out he is tormented, but the o­ther knowes the fittest time. So Gods children crie out in affli­ctions, How long Lord: but the Lord knoweth the best time to release them.

90 Corruption discovered.

A Man that stirreth with a Puddle. staffe in a vessell or spring of faire water, though the wa­ter be stirred it continueth still Iam. 1. 13. 14. [Page 56] in its clearenesse, but stirring in a puddle or finck it is present­lymuddy and offensive. So when men provoked by others, are transported by their passions, the cause is not from the provo­cation of others, but from the corruption in themselves.

91. Hypocrite vncased.

VVHen people goe a­broad Garments. they put on their gay apparell, but when they goe to bed they strip them off. So an hipocrite in his life Rom. 13. 14 may put on the garments of a faire profession, but when hee comes to lie downe in the bed of death shall he be stripped of all and left naked.

92. How to reproove great men,

MEn that plough hilly Plowing. ground they goe not directly vp and downe, but side waies: so those that are to tell 2 Sam. 12. 1 great men of their faults, must goe about as we see Nathan did with David.

93. The wickedest men may be con­verted.

AS the earth that beareth Weeds. the strongest weedes, it hath much heate in it, and 2 Tim. 1. 1 [...] [Page 58] if it were tilled and manured it would beare good corne. So those that are vilest in their courses, when they are once converted become most excel­lent instruments of his glory.

94. To keepe in Gods wayes

IF a man in the Kings high­way Kings highway. be robbed in the day-time, it is recoverable from the Country, but if hee travaile at vnseasonable times, it is at his owne perill. So if a man keepe in Gods wayes, he hath promi­sed Psal. 91. 11 to guard, and protect him, but if he stray out from them, he exposeth himselfe to danger.

95. Delayed iudgements heavie.

AS a man that shooteth in a Shooting. bow the further he draw­eth the arrow backe the faster and further it flieth: so though Mat. 24. 48. 49. 50. God many times delay his judgements, yet the severity of them recompenceth his forbea­rance.

96. Another.

THe raine it is long bottle­ing Raine. in the clouds, but at the length it falls downe spee­dily in showers: so God is Rev. 16. 1. long in providing his judge­ments, but at the last they are [Page 60] showred downe suddenly.

97. Long prayers sometimes dange­rous.

IF a man shoot at a But or a short marke the arrow flieth Butt. point blanke, and with great force: but if he shoot at a long marke though it go forth swift­ly it flags, and falls at length. Mat. 6. 7. So the fervencie of spirit in prayer is sometimes much aba­ted, ere a long prayer be ended.

98. Difference of knowledge in God and in man.

IN a sheete almanack, a man Almanack at one view may see all [Page 61] the moneths in the yeare, both past, and to come, but in a book almanack, as he turneth to one Psal. 139. 2. 6. so he turneth from another, and can looke but on the present. So the knowledge of God at one instant looketh to things, past, present and future: but the knowledge of man one-to a few things, past, and pre­sent, and that successively.

99. Cessation of miracles.

AS a gardiner, when he first Tree. planteth a tree, hee digs the earth, and is carefull to wa­ter it evening and morning, but after the tree hath taken roote, he leaves it to the common in­fluences of the heavens, so in the first preaching of the Gospell it was necessarie that the gift of [Page 62] miracles should goe along with the gift of preaching; the peo­ple 1 Cor. 14. then being Idolaters and vnbeleevers that never heard of Christ; but now the Gospell is Aug. de Ci­vit, dei. lib. 22. Cap. 8. planted and stablished and be­leived miracles are superfluous.

100. Reward of Atheisme.

IN the summer a man can­not Breath. see his owne breath. which in winter, he can easily discerne, So he that will not in the summer of this life beleeve Heb. 11. 6. that there is a God shall feel it to his eternall torment in the winter of hell.

FINIS.

The Names of the things from whence the Similies are taken.

FIre.1
Gunpowder.2
Sleepe.3
Wound.4
Prison.5
Spring.6
Magistrates.7
Bottle.8
Strong water9
Wine.10
Milke▪11
River.12
House.13
Sun.14
Apples.15
Sheepe.16
Packe.17
Staffe.18
Long Garment:19
Strong drinke.20
Host.21
River.22
Aaron and Hur.23
Boate.24
Looking-glasse.25
Dog.26
Gold.27
Missletoe,28
Nurse,29
Fall.30
Sicknesse.31
Aire.32
Birds.33
Beggar.34
Hawke and hen.35
Water.36
Shaddow.37
Shadow.38
Greene wood,39
Almes.40
Smithes water.41
Lute.42
Physitian.43
Rivers.44
Traitor.45
Hue and crie.46
Member.47
Watch-wheeles.48
Organ.49
Shepheards dog.50
Bees.51
Snake.52
Gilt.53
Patient.54
Compasses.55
Broome.56
Cloth.57
Chirurgion.58
[Page]Traveller59
Cipher.60
Burning glasse.61
Gloe-worme.62
Arteries.63
Marriner.64
Salt-water.65
Swimmer.66
Sun.67
Servant.68
Vapour.69
Bleeding70
Scholler.71
Diall.72
Pigeon.73
Salt.74
Tree.75
Duck.76
Marriners needle.77
Love-tokens.78
Dogge.79
Vizor.80
Ferrie-boat.81
Oven.82
Venemous creature.83
Sinck.84
Kine.85
Arrowes.86
Drug.87
Potion.88
Houre-glasse.89
Puddle.90
Garments.91
Plowing.92
Weeds.93
High-way.94
Shooting.95
Raine.96
Butt.97
Almanack.98
Tree.99
Breath.100

An Alphabeticall Table of the matter to which the com­parisons tend.

A
 Simile.
A Boundance of outward things a hinde­rance.17. 18. 19, 20
Ayme of a Christian.36
Afflictions their benefit.41
Afflictions why sont.58
Gods ayme in afflictions.88
Atheisme rewarded.100

B
Blessings outward how to use them.12
Blessings outward how disposed40

C
Covetous mans curse.11
Christians carriage.24
Content see humble. 
Christ see sinners. 
[Page] Christians and hypocrites differ,53
Civill men discovered.62
Consideration beneficiall.56
Care see ordinances. 
Custome forcible.80
Constancie of a Christian.85
Corruption discovered.90
Conversion of wicked men.93

D
Death of wicked men.3
Death of wicked men vntimely.15
Differe [...]e of men after death.35
Dispositions different.39
Doubting with faith.77

E
Experience beyond knowledge.54

F
Fals of Gods children.30
False friends.37
Faith and love.55
Flight of faith.73
Faith see doubting. 

G
Growth after falls.31
[Page] Griefe immoderate cured.70
Grace sanctifieth all things.74
Griefe concealed, double.75
Great men reprooved how.92

H
Humble men content.16
Way to humilitie.51
Hipocrite see Christian. 
Hipocrites behaviour.78. 79
How to know we belong to heaven.83
Hipocrite vncased.91

I
Iudgement brought by sin.2
Infirmities in the Saints.27
Infirmities to be borne with.47
Progresse in our spirituall journey.59
God immutable.67
Iudgement delayed heavie.96

K
Vnprofitable Knowledge.34
Knowledge see Experience. 
Knowledge different in God and man.98

L
Life, cause of the shortnesse of it.10
[Page] Life of good men why prolonged.22
Love of God discovered,44
Love see faith 
Love of God efficacious.61
Labour lost,66

M
Mercy in God by nature.6
Mercy in God supreame,7
Men different.49
Meanes how to vse them.64
Meanes see spirit. 
To serve God in serving men,68
Different carriage in an evill man.81
Miracles ceased.99

O
Outward things variable.38
Care in Gods ordinances.71
Obduration finall.75

P
Promises the use of them,9
Plenty enjoyed by wicked men.21
Punishments.21
Punishment feared by wicked men. [...]
Purpose of God effected.4 [...]
Persecutors their end.50
Prayers how to regard them.86
Prayers long sometimes dangerous.97

R
Reason the defect of it.14
Rewards23
Riches vncertaine.33

S
Secret sins dangerous.1
Sin willbe felt at last.4
Sins of others why not offensive.5
Sin the deformity of it.25
Sin the nature of it.28
God our strength.29
Strength from Christ,32
Scriptures how vnderstood.42
Sinceritie the reward of it.43
Sinners how brought to Christ.46
Soule the object of it.60
Meanes effectuall by the Spirit.63
Not to hoard up for our selves.69
Effiicacie of the Spirit.87

T
Thankfulnesse the way to it.45
Trouble the cause of it.57
Transcient things how to see them.72
Time of God the best.89

V
Variable see outward. 

W
Weake how to instruct them,8
Weakenesse of man,13
Wickednesse discovered.52
Worldly things the nature of them. [...]
Worldly things defective.76
World the older the worse.84
Way of God to be kept in.94
FINIS.

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