things naturall and not ignorant of any kind of learning or discipline may by the discourse in this Booke bee sufficiently prooued and manifestly gathered for that in their writings they vse many Similitudes and make so many comparisons of things fetched off and from the very secrets and bowels of nature as namely from wilde and tame beastes foules wormes creeping and swimming creatures Hearbs Trees the Elements fire water earth ayre riuers brookes welles Cesternes Seas stars pearles stones lightning thunder raine deaw heate drowth cold winds blasts haile snow frost yce Corne seede salt leuen nets snares and likewise from the humours in a mans body as bloud milke women in trauaile in child birth drosse Iron Gold Siluer and innumerable other things wherewith they learnedly beautifie their matter and as it were brauely garnish and decke out their termes words and sentences with tropes and figuratiue phrases Metaphors Translations Parables Comparisons Collations Examples Shemes and other ornaments of speech giuing thereby vnto their matter a certaine kind of liuely gesture and so consequently attyring it with light perspicuitie easinesse estimation and dignitie stirring vp thereby mens drowsie minds and awaking slouthfull negligent carelesse sluggish and retchlesse people to the consideration and acknowledgement of the truth and to the following and imbracing of vertue and godlinesse Hereby as they doo labour to deterre and withdraw the wicked from their wicked wayes by laying downe before them Similitudes tending to such purpose So doo they no lesse stirre them vp to vertue to true happinesse to perfect felicitie to sound assurance to the feare of God and trust in his mercie Finally they each way seeke to winne them to the knowledge of God and of themselues and leaue no way vnattempted to allure and bring them to the truth and perfect blessednesse And as touching the godly which feare the Lord and frame their liues accordingly they cease not to encourage confirme strengthen and establish them in their vertuous doings by earnest exhortations to persist in their well begunne exercise They doo as the Apostle Saint Paule also willeth Admonish such as walke inordinately and liue out of course being vntractable and vnruly 2. Thes 3.11 1. Thes 5.11 to remember their dutie to acknowledge their fault they gently reprooue them and mildly seeke to recouer them they comfort the weake and cheare vp the mourneful they strengthen the feeble and broken hearted they reuiue the sorrowfull and heauie spirited they raise vp them that are throwne downe they vse lenitie mildnesse and compassion towardes all men in generall they are slow to anger slow to reuenge and violence they heale the broken and brused consciences they preach deliuerance to the captiues sight to the blind libertie to the imprisoned comfort to the afflicted ioy to the distressed health to the sicke recouerie to the diseased and to the miserable releasement from the thraldome and tyrannie of the Diuel all these and many other they notably and elegantly set forth in their writings by most apt Parables forcible Comparisons and effectuous Similitudes Christ in whome are hidden all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge Mat. 13.3 saith the Euangelist spake all these things to the multitude by Parables and without a Parable spake he nothing vnto them that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet who said I will open my mouth in Parables c. To the which Tertullian in his fourth Booke against Marcion dooth very fitly agree saying Neither is the forme of Christs speech new when he obiecteth Similitudes Also Origen cap. in Math. 13. writeth that Christ spake nothing to the companies of common people without Parables which are a kind of Similies but to his Disciples to whom it was giuen to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heauen he did not so Therefore a Similie is most fit for a Preacher because it reasoneth from things confessed and very manifestly and wonderfully layeth the matter euen before the eyes So that the vse of a Similie reacheth very farre for it is vsed for ornament for delight for plainnesse for grauitie Nothing bringeth more grace pleasure or dignitie Neither is it to bee couered in silence that Chrysostome the auncient Church men did commonly beginne with a Similie agreeing to their argument And the same in their Exordiums yea in all parts of their speeches and writings did the Princes of wise eloquence and eloquent wisedome vse as Tertullian Origen Cyprian Nazianzen Basil Iohn Chrysostome Hierom Ambrose Augustin But of the great vse of Similituds we may read more largely in the Homely of Io. Chrysostome vpon the 33. of Ioh. and his Homely vpon Gene. 13. And in Origens Homely vpon Leuit. 10. And in Augustine in the very beginning of his second Booke concerning Christian doctrine And D. Gregorie in the 36. cap. of his third Booke of Morals And to conclude in Agrigola his first Booke of Logicall inuention cap. 25. Seeing therfore each one of the Prophets among whom many were Kings descended of royall bloud haue discoursed of these things and inserted and spoken of the same in their writings seeing likewise our Sauiour Iesus Christ and his Apostles haue practised the same and shewed foorth the like kind of doctrine as also the learned writers haue done I thought my labour should bee well imployed and bestowed if I should in this Treatise plainely shew what store of excellent learning profound wisdome hidden knowledge and exact skill of nature what zeale likewise of aduancing true Religion and of banishing all Idolatrie and superstition there rested in those men that by diuine inspiration haue left and deliuered vnto vs such worthie and wholesome matters in such surpassing knowledge by drawing into their Bookes for the greater ornament and setting out of their speech the whole store and furniture of nature Now calling to mind Right Worshipfulls not onely the manifold curtesies and benefites which I found and receiued now more then thirtie yeares agoe when I taught the Grammer Schoole at Okeham in Rutland and sundrie times since of the Religious and vertuous Lady Lucie Harington your Worships Mother my especial friend in the Lord but also the great kindnesse and fauourable good will during my long trouble and since by both your Worshippes towards me extended In consideration whereof least I should seeme altogether vnthankfull which compriseth and containeth in it selfe all vices both towards God and men I am therefore euen prouoked in some small measure of dutie to shew my selfe some wayes thankfull vnto you And whereas at this time euerie gratefull person doth not onely in word but also in deedes with their presents and giftes shew some signe and token of this their thankfulnesse Euen so I also out of my simple Garden haue chosen and gleaned a handfull of Flowers as it were a Nosegay the best present I haue to Dedicate offer vnto you Thus humbly desiring your Worships to accept this my simple present most earnestly beseeching
A TREASVRIE OR STORE-HOVSE of Similies Both pleasaunt delightfull and profitable for all estates of men in generall Newly collected into Heades and Common places By Robert Cawdray LONDON Printed by Tho. Creede dwelling in the Old Chaunge at the Signe of the Eagle and Childe neare Old Fish-streete 1600. TO THE RIGHT VVORSHIPFVL and his singular benefactors Sir Iohn Harington Knight as also to the VVorshipfull Iames Harington Esquire his brother R. C. wisheth in this life the aboundant increase of all spirituall graces and in the world to come life euerlasting through Christ Iesus our alone Sauiour THis Booke Right Worshipfulls conteineth certain verie pleasant delightfull and profitable Similies that is when two things or moe then two are so compared resembled and conferred together that they in some one propertie seeme like Wherein not onely sundrie and very many most horrible and foule vices and daungerous sinnes of all sorts are so familiarly and so plainly laid open ripped vp and displayed in their kinds and so pointed at with the finger of God in his sacred and holy Scriptures to signifie his wrath and indignation belonging vnto them that such as are Christians in deed being seasoned and indued with the spirit of grace and hauing God before their eyes will bee verie feareful euen in loue that they beare to God to pollute and defile their hearts their minds their mouthes or hands with any such forbidden things as also many very notable vertues with their due commendations so liuely and truly expressed according to the plaine meaning of the word of God that the godly Reader being of a Christian inclination will be mightily inflamed with an earnest liking and a loue vnto them Ouer and besides it containeth the explayning and plaine opening of many grounds and principles of Christian Religion so manifestly decyphered out that euerie one euen the very simplest and ignorantest Reader may easily and plainely vnderstand the true and right meaning thereof as may bee for the increase of knowledge and godlinesse euen in all degrees of men and for their better vnderstanding therein For many times that thing which cannont bee perceiued or vnderstood of Readers of Bookes and hearers of Sermons by a simple precept may yet by a Similitude or plaine example bee attained vnto So that if any be desirous to compare a thing from the lesse to the greater Similitudes will helpe him greatly in this behalfe c. And that there is a necessarie and profitable vse of Similies we may easily gather for that the holy Ghost hath so often vsed them both in the old and new Testament as amongst many these few quotations doo shew 2. Sam. 12.1 2 3 4. 14.6 c. 23.4 Iudg. 9.8 c. Psal 103.12 123.2 Iob. 15.33 Prou. 27.8 9 10 21. Esay 5.7 24. 55.10 11. 61.10 11. Iere. 2.26 33.22 Math. 13.4 c. 18.23 c. Mark 4.29 c. Luk. 15.4 c. 17.7 c. Ioh. 3.14 15.1 c. Rom. 5.12 18 19. 6.4 7.2 c. 1. Cor. 12.12 14.11 12. 15.40 41 47. 2. Cor. 11.3 Gal. 4.1 Ephe. 5.25 So that this worke in my simple opinion for the choyse of the Argument rarietie of the matter profit of the circumstance deserueth to be aduisedly read attentiuely considered effectually ruminated and perfectly digested because that it will breede and increase in all degrees no small skill in knowledge wisedome and vertue For I know no estate of men for whome this Booke is not necessarie for Princes it is prettie for Preachers profitable for sage Counsellours it is singular meete for Magistrates lawdable for Lawyers a Iewell for Gentlemen a staffe to leane on for students good to further godlinesse and therefore apt and profitable for all men The Prophets of God were moued as their writings do manifestly prooue to fetch from plants hearbes and other naturall things many right apt and fine Similitudes and proper comparisons to adorne their Sermons garnish their speeches withall to make the same by such familiar meanes the easier to be conceiued and the readier to be belieued And although in euerie other kind of learning humaine discipline and Phylosophie there be many singular ornaments and peculiar garnishments effectually to delight the minde and to draw it by example and imitation to vertue and honestie yet for the true and perfect attaining and fuller bringing to passe of these things there bee none of greater nor yet of like force and efficacie to those that are vsed by the holy Prophets in their diuine writings and prophesies So that to him that is any whit reasonably seene either in the workes of nature or in heauenly contemplations it may easily appeare how that their writings and prophesies are not barren rude ignorant and vnartificiall but profitable fruitfull learned and eloquent For the holy Scripture being giuen by inspiration from God fully and sufficiently instructeth the minde and furnisheth the conscience and soule with most sweet foode wholsome nourishment Which thing the writings both of the Prophets in the old Testament and also of the Euangelists and Apostles in the new Testament do plentifully declare Now for that there be very fit Similitudes borrowed from many kindes and sundrie naturall things both in the olde and new Testament diligently noted and found out as well by ordinarie practise and course of life as also by obseruing of the nature effect and vertue of things I haue thought good at this time to take some paines and to bestow some labour in this Booke to set down the same with others vnto the view and consideration of the diligent and studious Reader Whereby he may see what a rich treasure of knowledge and wisedome there is laide vp in the holy Scriptures which affoordeth vnto the industrious and painfull Christian store enough of matter both pleasurable and profitable delightfull wholesome and comfortable Neither is it possible for a man to reape any the like benefit of plentiful knowledge and store of learning nor to taste such plentie of necessarie foode both for soule and conscience out of any workes written by Phylosophers Oratours or Poets as hee may out of the plentifull storehouse and aye lasting fountaine of Diuinitie and out of those Books which were indighted and penned by the holy Ghost and written by heauenly inspiration So that whosoeuer shall aduisedly consider and attentiuely discusse the deepe misteries profound knowledge laide vp in the Scriptures and therewithall also what surpassing wisedome lodged in their minds which left behinde them such diuine instructions and wholesome documents cannot choose but most plainely perceiue by how many degrees diuine learning and sacred studies doo incomperably surmount all prophane skill and humane knowledge and how farre things heauenly and eternall doo excell things earthly and transitorie That the holy Prophets were not onely most exactly seene in the peerelesse skill of Diuinitie but most exquisitely also furnished with the entire knowledge of all
the eye is not in all places that the sight dooth reach vnto As wee knowe that seueritie and mercie are in God so ioyntly ioyned together that the one cannot be seperated from the other and yet they that feele his seueritie doo not feele his mercie that is to say those whom he doth according to his righteous iudgement punish euerlastingly in hell fire them doth he vtterly banish and put away from his bounteous goodnesse and mercie Euen so although the Diuinitie and humanitie of Christ be so lincked and ioyned together that wheresoeuer the one is it doth not therfore follow that the other is there also For the godhead of Christ can be euerie where and in more places then in one at once but his manhood cannot be euerie where nor in moe places then one at once Bread and Wine in the Lords Supper do no more change their substance nor qualities then the water in Baptisme 1 AS in the Sacrament of Baptisme the substance of water remaineth still So likewise in the Lords Supper remaineth the substance of Bread and Wine 2 As in Baptisme is giuen vnto vs the holy Ghost and pardon of our sinnes which yet lie not lurking or inclosed in the water so in the Lords Supper is giuen vnto vs the Communion of Christes body and bloud that is grace forgiuenesse of sinnes innocencie life immortalitie without any transubstantiation or including of the same in the Bread Mar. 16.19 Luk. 24.6.51 Act. 1.9.10 Iohn 12.8.26 3 As by Baptisme the old man is put off and the new man put on yea * Gal. 3.27 Christ is put on but without transubstantiation or chaunging of the water Euen so it is in the Lords Supper wee by faith spiritually in our soules do feede on Christs Body broken do eate his flesh and drinke his bloud do dwell in him and he in vs but without transubstantiation Bookes 1 AS Theeues be loth to assault an house where they know to be good Armour and Artillerie so wheresoeuer the Bookes of the holy Scriptures be wel occupied and exercised there neither the diuell nor any of his angels dare come neare 2 Like as Smithes Masons Carpenters and other handie craftsmen what need soeuer they be in or what shift soeuer they make will not sell or lay to pledge the tooles of their occupation for then they could not worke or follow their trade and so get their liuing So likewise euerie good Christian ought to be like minded and affectioned towards the Bookes of the Prophets Apostles and other holy writers inspired by the holy Ghost the instruments of their saluation and therefore not to sell or pawne them away 3 As vnto those precious stones the greatest price is due which not onely with their colours do delight the eyes but also are of effect for medicines So vnto those Bookes is the chiefest praise due which in them do not onely containe pleasant speech and eloquent but also that do deliuer the minde from all vice and corruption 4 Like as one dish of meate well chewed and digested will comfort nature more then diuerse delicates that lie rawe and vndigested in the stomacke Euen so one good Booke often and throughly read will do thy soule more good then the superficiall sight and taste of a thousand 5 Like as no wise man will receiue a writing for the least plotte of grounde without the counsell of some learned Lawier nor a medicine for his body without the aduise of some learned Phisition Euen so much more ought a Christian not to venture vpon a Booke wherein may be some damnable errour which may conuey from him his heauenly inheritance or some deadly poyson which may kill his soule without the direction of some godly Diuine 6 As vnto men of diuers complexions and affections God hath giuen choise of meates and varietie of apparell So likewise many Bookes to one ende are published and set forth by sundrie men in diuers fashions and with a diuers gift order and facilitie that hee whom one Booke sauoureth not might yet like the taste of an other Our second Birth LIke as we see the naturall Body from the first Birth to receiue diuers members and euerie member diuers offices vses as it is the vse of the eye to see good or euill and of the hand to take vnto it that which is good and to remoue from the Body that which is euill Euen so in the second Birth we receiue new members whereof euerie one hath his diuerse vse and function as knowledge of the will of God hope loue faith which is as it were the hand reaching vnto vs all the mercifull promises of GOD in Christ whereby we are so surely ioyned in affection to the Lord that by nothing we can be seperated Cares of the world hurtfull AS a Clocke can neuer stand still from running so long as the peases and plummets doo hang thereat Euen so a worldly man hauing infinite Cares cogitations and anxieties hanging vpon his minde as waights vpon the Clocke can neuer haue rest or quiet day or night but is enforced to beate his braines when other men sleepe for the compassing of those trifles wherwith he is encombred Carelesse keepers of Gods commandements AS the Scribes and Pharisies that came from Ierusalem picked a quarell against our Sauiour Christ because his Disciples did eate with vnwashed hands wherby they transgressed as they said the tradition of the Elders Our Sauiour Christ in defence of his Disciples chargeth the Scribes and Pharisies which were so zealous to maintaine their owne ceremonies that they were carelesse to breake the commaundements of God Euen so it commeth to passe alwaies that they which are most earnest in vpholding and defending traditions and ceremonies inuented by man are most forgetfull in keeping the commaundements of God But this is the iust iudgement of GOD against those that inuent a new worship of their owne braine That first they loose their labour and secondly that they are depriued of all-right vnderstanding because they haue presumed to be wiser then God Whom the word of God condemneth Esa 29.13 14. 6.9 Math. 13.14 Act. 28.26 Rom. 11.8 Iohn 12.40 Carnall minded men AS with a leaude and naughtie Companion if wee keepe companie we shall learne no good but rather be readie to be infected with his sinne and vice Euen so if wee suffer our selues to be acquainted with the flesh and vse it as a companion in all our dealings and yeeld vnto it we shall then be sure to learne no good of it for the flesh prouoketh vs to whordome to drunkennes to wantonnesse c. Now if we shall acquaint our selues with the flesh we shall learne those things which tend to our destruction Gal. 6.8 Rom. 8.12 13 14 15 16. Tit. 2.12 The Cause of Gods plagues are diligently to be searched out LIke as the Phisition seeing in a glasse by the water the disease within the body by skill and learning searches out the cause of
with our much heate and drought except after the planting thereof it be by showers watered Euen so the Church with ouer much heate of afflictions withereth away except afterwardes it bee moystened by the water of the holy Ghost which is the sincere preaching of the Gospell 16 As there be three formes in one and the selfesame Schoole and be not all alike taught and yet make not sundrie schooles but containe sundrie schollers and learners in one selfesame schoole So likewise is the Church not made many neither by alteration of times neither by difference of places nor by chaunges of orders and dispensations 17 As there be in one Schoole diuers Vshers diuers teaching but yet all tending to one end to wit to attaine learning and so to come to the Vniuersitie Euen so the true Church of Christ before the Lawe and vnder the Lawe and since in the time of the Gospell haue beene diuers instructors as Prophets Apostles Pastors and teachers but yet all ayming at one marke and labouring to bring the people to the Kingdome of heauen 18 Like as it is not in the power of any man to dispense minister or distribute any parte of that nourishment which hee receiueth in at his mouth vnto any member which either is mortified and dead in his bodie or that is cut off from the same Euen so it is vndoubtedly to be beleeued that neither the death passion and bloud-shedding of our Sauior Christ nor his Sacraments nor any of the graces of the holy Ghost nor any good worke in the world doo or can any thing profit to remission and forgiuenesse of sinnes or saluation to any person which is out of the Catholique Church as long as he shall so stand and continue out of the same 19 Like as if a subiect knowing the Letters of his Prince and also his Seale should because that hee knoweth them wel and alloweth them to be his presume and take vpon him to counterfeit his Princes Letters or Seale he should be no true subiect but a Fellone and a Traytour Euen so if the Church because that shee knoweth the Scriptures of the olde and newe Testament to be the true and infallible word of her Lord and Sauiour and the Sacraments to be his Seales should presume or take vpon her to alter Gods word I meane the scriptures that be cōteined in the Canonical bookes of the old new Testament or to counterfeit the Sacraments that is to say to minister them otherwise then her Lord and maister hath instituted and appointed in his word she ought not to be called the true Church but the most trayterous harlot of Antichrist 20 As it is great folly for a man that hath a mote in his eye to growe into such a chafe or dislike with it that so he should bee vnthankfull for his eye Euen so it is much more follie for men to seperate themselues from our Church and wholely to condemne it by reason that there be some imperfections and wants in it which is a meanes to breede vnthankfulnesse by forgetting the manifold blessings which wee haue receiued and doo still enioy which is the readie way to prouoke God rather in his iustice to take away these good benefites that we enioy alreadie then in mercie to prouoke him to encrease them more 21 As the glory of God is shewed most herein that he defendeth his spouse and hath bewtified her with gifts frō aboue that she might be a pure and vndefiled spouse chaste and holy vnto himselfe Euen so this is our greatest glory of what state or condition so euer we be to be members of this Church by the Communion whereof wee are his members 22 As a man will not wittingly bestowe a Diamond vpon him that thinkes it to be but a peece of Glasse or a Pearle of him that esteemeth it to be but a graine of salte Euen so the Lord will not bestowe his blessings but vpon those that by his Spirit shall knowe and feele what they are for if they feele them not and know not what they are then they are not yet of Gods house or Church Heb. 3.6 23 As it is not inough to set or sowe a garden with good hearbes and seedes and then let it alone but there must be a Gardiner to ouersee it to dresse it and often to weede it Euen so it is not sufficient for a Church to haue the word planted and sowen in it but there must be diligent painfull Preachers Pastors continually to water and gouerne it or else it will growe barren and fruitlesse 24 Like as if the land be not often tilled but lie barren it will bring forth nothing but briars thistles and nettles Euen so if Churches be not continually laboured by Preaching and Catechising they will waxe secure and so bring forth nothing but ignorance Atheisme superstition idolatrie and all wickednesse of life 25 As the armie of heauen is innumerable and the sand of the sea vnmeasurable Euen so God will multiplie his Church Iere. 33.22 26 As the Bride pertaineth to none but to the Bridegroome So likewise the Church pertaineth to Christ alone Hose 2.19 2. Cor. 11.2 Iohn 3.29 27 As euerie true friend to the Bridegroome reioyceth to see the Bridegroomes voyce obeyed Euen so euery godly man is glad to see euery member of the Church to frame themselues to the obedience of the word of Christ 28 As a Giant is too strong for meane men of middle size and as his voyce and looke is fearefull to his enemies So likewise will God be to all such as rise vp against him and his Church Esa 42.13 29 As a waste grounde broken vp and rid of those things wherewith it was ouergrowne and the fruitfulnesse thereof hindered is by good husbandrie brought to flourish and to be fruitful euen so such is the state of the Church when after persecution it pleaseth God to send peace and prosperitie thereto Esay 33.1 2. 30 As men hedge their grounds round about to keepe them from being spoyled with cattell Euen so GOD dooth fence his Church and those which feare him round about that they may be defended against all euils 31 As the groundes are eaten wasted deuoured and rooted vp when the hedges and fences thereof are neglected and suffered to lie open Euen so it fareth with the Church and with them that professe the name of God when hee is prouoked with their sinnes in withdrawing his friendly defence and fatherly protection from them 32 As the Shipmaisters are such as haue cunning to guide the ship wherin both themselues and other men do saile So almightie God maketh choise of such to guide his Church as can gouern themselues and so many as are committed to their charge 33 As that bush which Moses saw was burning but not consumed Euen so the Church of God must be tried in the fire of affliction but not destroyed Exo. 3.2 34 As the Moone is sometimes eclipsed and sometimes in
2 As a Dead man in his graue cannot stir the least finger because he wants the very power of life sense and motion So likewise no more can he that is Dead in sinne will the least good Nay if he could either will or doo any good he could not be Dead in sinne 3 Euen as a Dead man in the graue cannot rise but by the power of God So no more can hee that is Dead in sinne rise but by the power of Gods grace alone without any power of his owne Iohn 3.3 Ephes 2.10 4.24 Phil. 2.13 Deuise of the wicked AS the Egges of the Cockatrice hatched are full of poyson Euen so are the deuises of the wicked and the execution of their enterprises hurtfull Esay 59.5 The Diuell fearefull and enuious 1 LIke as if an enemie of great might hauing also an aduantage of vs by reason of the ground wherein he hath planted himself be dreadful to vs so as we haue good cause to feare him Euen so much more we ought to bee afraid of the Diuel hauing the like or greater aduantages of vs. Ephe. 6.11.12 2 As a good Midwife is carefull to helpe the woman in trauell and saue the child Euen so the Diuell contrariwise is ready to hinder and hurt the Church to destroy her seede Reue. 12.2.3 God Delighteth in the conuersion of a sinner AS a Father taketh great ioy and comfort when his Sonne who was wilde vnthriftie and vngodly becommeth modest thriftie and religous Euen so it is a Delightfull and acceptable thing to God when any sinner is conuerted from his wicked and lewde course and now liueth Christianly Luk. 15.23.24 Dissentions AS Bees when they striue together and are stirred vp through some vehement motion with throwing of dust are brought into order and appeased Euen so men when they are tossed and tormented with troublesome broyles perturbations and passions if they would remember dust whereinto of necessitie they must be turned and neuer forget death which they shall neuer bee able to escape they would easily bestayed pacified and quietted would represse keepe within compasse their strangling lusts and vnruly appetites which cannot indure to be tamed and ruled by reason How to encounter with Death 1 LIke as if a man were to fight with a Dragon his best way to deale with him is to pull out his venemous sting Euen so the Dragon wherewith euery Christian man is to encounter is Death whose sting is sinne therefore that we may not take the foyle of Death we are in all our life to labour to bereaue him of this his sting 1. Cor. 15.56 2 As the Philistines that they might the better deale with Sampson cut off his haire where his strength lay So also euery one of vs that wee may the better deale with Death are to cut off our sinnes which bee the strength of Death Iud. 16.5 c. Death 1 LIke as hee that is to passe ouer some great and deepe ryuer must not looke downeward to the streame of the water But if he would preuent feare hee must set his foote sure cast his eye to the banke on the furthest side Euen so he that draws neare Death must as it were looke ouer the waues of Death and directly fixe the eye of his faith vpon eternall life 2 Like as if a poore man should be commaunded by a Prince to put off his torne and beggerly garments and in steade thereof to put on royall and costly robes it would be a great reioycing to his heart Euen so much more ioyfull newes must this be vnto all repentant and sorrowfull sinners when the King of heauen and earth comes vnto them by Death and bids them lay downe their bodies as ragged and patched garments and prepare themselues to put on the princely robe of immortalitie No tongue can bee able to expresse the excellencie of this most blessed and happie estate 3 Euen when a man was to offer a Bullocke or Lambe in sacrifice to God he must leaue his offering at the Altar and first goe and be reconciled to his brethren if they had ought against him So much more must this bee done when men are in Death to offer vp themselues their bodies and soules as an acceptable sacrifice vnto God Rom. 12.1 4 As Trauellers not thinking of the Sunne setting are ouertaken with darkenesse before they be aware So doth Death sodainly come vpon many that neuer thought of it neither haue learned to die nor what shall become of them when they be dead so that it behooueth all Christians that wil be saued to watch to stand stedfast in the faith of Christ to quite themselues like men and to be strong and to do all that they do in loue 1. Cor. 16.13 5 As earthen vessels are alike subiect to danger breaking whether they be new or olde made So likewise all men are open and subiect to Death alike whether they be yong men and in their lusty and flourishing age or they be old men and well strooken in yeares 6 Like as if a man shal come into a Potters ware-house where he shall see a large Table set full of Pots some old and some new some little and some great and shall demaund of the Potter which of them all shall first be broken he may well say for answer That which shall fall first to the ground Euen so among men he dieth not first that is elder but he that first falleth to the ground that is commeth first to his graue Psal 2.9 Esay 30.14 Reue. 2.27 7 Like as if a Begger should be commaunded to put off his old ragges that he might be cloathed with rich costly garments he would not be sory though he should stand naked a while till he were wholly bestripped of his rags So likewise when God calls a man to Death and bids him put off his old ragges of sinne and corruption and be cloathed with the glorious roabe of Christes righteousnesse there is no cause why he should be loth to die seeing his abode in the graue is but for a space while corruption be put off 2. Cor. 5.1 2. 8 As bread of all other nourishment doth sustaine the body So aboue all things a continuall thought of Death is wholesome for the soule 9 As yong schollers who hauing spent their time diligētly at their bookes return from the Vniuersities to their friends and are welcommed home both of father mother brother and sister euery one preasing forward with great desire to kisse them and to make the greatest demonstration of ioy and gladnesse that may be for their happie returne So in like maner when true Christians die depart out of this world where they are as it were at schoole to returne to their fathers house God himselfe is the first that biddeth them welcome and willeth them to enter into the ioy of their Lorde and Father Iesus Christ is the next which taketh leadeth them into the Pallace of the