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B25425 Troposchēmalogia: Tropes and figures; or, A treatise of the metaphors, allegories, and express similitudes, &c. contained in the Bible of the Old and New Testament To which is prefixed, divers arguments to prove the divine authority of the Holy Scriptures wherein also 'tis largely evinced, that by the great whore, mystery Babylon is meant the Papal hierarchy, or present state and church of Rome. Philologia sacra, the second part. Wherein the schemes, or figures in Scripture, are reduced under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Together with a treatise of types, parables, &c. with an improvement of them parallel-wise. By B. K; Tropologia. Book 4. Keach, Benjamin, 1640-1704.; De Laune, Thomas, d. 1685. Tropologia. aut 1682 (1682) Wing K101A; ESTC R7039 690,855 608

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and such wicked Ways 6. He grows soon after this Conscience-proof and Sermon-proof nay and Judgment-proof too he neither fears Rod nor Sword a Stone will yield as soon as he 7. He after this sits down in the Seat of the Scorner derides and reproaches the Law and mocks at approaching Judgments like the Sodomites 8. And at last becomes a Persecutor of them that are godly like cursed Pharaoh c. Quest What are the Signs of a hard Heart Answ 1. When many Blows will not break it nor make the Heart yield Notwithstanding God lays on hard and heavy Strokes by his Word by Conscience and by Judgments yet nothing works remorse 2. When that Word or Sermon which wrought powerfully upon another Person works not at all upon thee 3. When the divine Rain of the Word glides off of thy Heart and will not remain or abide with thee 't is a Sign thy Heart is hard 4. When thou art neither troubled for thy own Sins nor troubled for the Sins of others 5. When thine own Miseries the Miseries of the Saints and the Distresses of Sion do not melt thee nor work Compassion in thy Soul Tho God is dishonoured his Right and Sovereignty invaded and Ruine seems to be at the Door yet thou art not troubled at any of these things Wicked Men compared to Eagles Hos 8.1 He shall come as an Eagle against the House of the Lord. Some understand this Eagle signified Nebuchadnezzar others the Assyrian c. Lam. 4.19 Our Persecutors are swifter than the Eagles of Heaven c. Tyrants and cruel Persecutors are compared to Eagles Parallels EAgles are very swift in their Flight and that especially when they pursue their Prey So cruel Persecutors are swift to shed Blood Isa 5.26 They haste like Eagles to the Prey II. Eagles are quarrelsom Creatures preying devouring envious proud lofty the Plague and Tormenters of all other Birds or Fowls of Heaven as Naturalists observe Gesner reports that in a certain Eagle's Nest were found three hundred Ducks one hundred and sixty Geese forty Hares and many Fishes c. In these respects wicked Men or bloody Persecutors may fitly be compared to them They are very quarrelsom always seeking occasion against the Innocent envious proud and lofty as appeared in Pharaoh and others They are the very Plague and Torment of all their Neighbours How many hath the Roman Eagle destroyed how many Thousands nay Hundred Thousands of the Sheep and Lambs of Jesus Christ have been found in her Nest as I may so say In her was found the Blood of Prophets Rev. 18.24 and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth III. The Eagle is a subtil and crafty Creature She will fill her Wings with Dust and get upon a Stag's Horns and by beating the Dust and Sand into his Eyes she blinds him and then soon conquers him She also carries Shell-Fishes on high letting them fall upon a Rock to break them which sets forth her great Subtilty c. How crafty have many Persecutors been to destroy the Godly Come saith Pharaoh let us deal wisely with them Their common Practice is to put the Saints into Wolves Skins and then set the Dogs upon them to worry them Christ was accused for being an Enemy to Caesar and the Apostles as Movers of Sedition Acts 24.5 Thus the cruel Papists dealt with the good Lord Cobham and many other Christians viz. accused them with Treason and Rebellion that so they might with the better colour take away their Lives IV. An Eagle is an unclean Creature and therefore God would not have it to be offered up in Sacrifice tho she be accounted the King of Birds yet God rather chose the Dove upon this account and refused the Eagle So wicked Men are unclean and their Prayers and Sacrifices yea their best Performances Prov. 15.8 9. are an Abomination in the sight of the Lord. V. An Eagle is no comely Bird she hath no sweet Voice nor is she good for Food So wicked Men are not comely but contrary-wise very fulsom and ill-favoured in God's sight neither is their Voice sweet in his Ears Christ takes great delight to see his People and in hearing their Voice Let me see thy Countenance Cant. 2.14 let me hear thy Voice for sweet is thy Voice and thy Countenance is comely But thus he speaks not of the Ungodly their Persons and Prayers are no ways delightful to the Almighty God had respect to Abel and his Offering but unto Cain and his Offering Gen 4.4 5 he had not respect Disparity AN Eagle hath many and excellent Properties wherein there is a great Disparity between her and ungodly Men and upon this account the Lord Jesus is compared to an Eagle and his Saints to Eagles See Christ an Eagle in the First Volume Wicked Men compared to the Devil John 6.10 Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a Devil Rev. 2.10 The Devil shall cast some of you into Prison c. VIle and ungodly Men may in many respects be compared unto the Devil himself Parallels THe Devil at first was formed or created by the Almighty I do not say he was created a Devil Sin made him a Devil but God at first made him he was created an Angel of Light So God created wicked Men they are God's Creatures Eccles 7.29 Tho God at first made no Man wicked The Lord created Man upright but he hath sought out many Inventions 'T is Sin that hath made Man so vile II. The Devil then is grievously degenerated from what he once was so are wicked Men from what they were in Adam III. The Devil is an Enemy to God he was God's first Enemy So are wicked Men cursed Enemies of God and early Enemies too 'T is thought Man became God's Enemy not many days after Satan fell he is almost as old an Enemy as the Devil is IV. The Devil conspired like a vile Traitor against his lawful Sovereign So have all the ungodly ever done and still daily do They would not have God reign nor his Laws be obeyed c. but would magnify themselves and their cursed Edicts above the righteous Laws and Statutes of Heaven V. The Devil sins freely naturally with full purpose and cannot but sin So wicked Men sin freely 't is sweet and pleasant to them 't is like sweet Wine c. They delight in Sin Eccles 8.11 Job 15.16 Jer. 13.3 2 Pet. 2.24 their Hearts as Solomon says are fully set in them to do wickedly They drink in Iniquity as the Fish drinks Water Can the Aethiopian change his Skin then may they who are accustomed to do Evil learn to do well Hence saith the Apostle Having their Eyes full of Adultery and that cannot cease from Sin VI. The Devil hates those that are truly godly and seeks to beguile and deceive them So wicked and ungodly Men hate the Saints and strive to entice and draw away their
more safe and secure to dwell in and some Cities have two or three Walls to make them more impregnable II. The Church of God hath strong Walls about it We have a strong City Isa 26.1 Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks The Church hath a threefold Wall about it First The Wall of God's Providence Hast not thou made a Hedg or Wall about him As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem Job 1. Psal 125.2 so the Lord is round about them that fear him c. Secondly The Protection of the holy Angels Psal 34.7 The Angels of the Lord encamp round about them that fear him c. Thirdly God in an extraordinary manner is as a Wall of Fire round about her Zech. 2.5 every one of his Attributes is a gracious Defence to the Church III. Some Cities are bravely scituated they are built upon a Hill III. The Church of God is famous upon this account Beautiful for Scituation Psal 48.2 the Joy of the whole Earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the North the City of the great King Mat. 16.18 Ye are as a City set upon a Hill IV. A City is built of many Materials and in it are many Buildings or Houses set in rare Uniformity curiously joined and compacted together IV. The Church of God is built up of many living Stones consisting of divers particular Societies or spiritual Houses Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Foreigners Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. but Fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth to an holy Temple in the Lord c. In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Jerusalem is builded as a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 V. A City hath its particular Laws Institutions and Customs by which it is governed V. The Church of God also hath special Laws Institutions and Customs belonging to it by which it is in all things governed which are contained in the holy Scripture the great Charter and Statute-Book of the Church VI. A City hath a supreme Governor in it who rectifies all Disorders and Confusions that otherwise would be therein considering the Multitude of its Inhabitants VI. The Church of God is not without a good Government and a Supreme Magistrate viz. the Lord J●sus Christ who is the chief Judg and Law-giver or Head of this spiritual Corporation VII A City hath besides the chief Governor and principal Magistrate divers inferior Officers for Administration of Justice and well governing thereof VII So the Church of God hath inferior Officers under Jesus Christ which the Citizens by the appointment of Christ are required to substitute and ordain to govern and keep all things in good Order And he gave some Apostles Ephes 4.8 9 10 11 12. and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. VIII A City hath some special Trade belonging to it by which its Inhabitants are enriched VIII The Church or City of God hath a spiritual Trade belonging to it which all the Citizens do and ought always to follow by which they are also greatly enriched IX Many Cities have Merchants in them who trade into remote parts of the World and fetch their Merchandize from afar IX The Saints or Citizens of Zion are all Merchants who trade daily to Heaven they fetch their blessed Merchandize from thence Phil. 3.20 Prov. 41. Our Conversation is in Heaven Hence the Church is by Solomon compared to Merchants Ships See Merchants Ships Saints have like other Merchants their Correspondent Jesus Christ who makes glorious Returns of all they venture or send to Heaven For every Duty rightly performed he makes Returns of Mercy for Tears of godly Sorrow he returns them the Oil of Joy Thou wilt saith holy David put my Tears into thy Bottle By which means the spiritual Citizens grow rich in Faith Hope Experience c. See the Parable of the Merchant-man Now touching the Trade Traffick or Merchandize of this City upon which its Wealth and Prosperity doth wholly depend take what follows First Their Trade is heavenly Wherefore holy Brethren Heb. 3.1 2 Partakers of the heavenly Calling consider the Apostle and High-Priest of our Profession Jesus Christ And as they are all Merchants and use one Trade so they all deal with one and the same Benefactor from whom they have quick Returns they fetch their Goods from afar Something touching the Excellency of the Trade of the City of God I shall hint in a few Particul●rs Secondly As touching her Commodities or the Merchandize which her Citizens deal in First Negatively 1. They are not prohibited Goods 2. They are not counterfeit Goods 3. They are not temporal and corruptible Goods Secondly Affirmatively and more directly they are 1. Soul enriching Commodities things that are of very great worth and value The Merchandize of Wisdom is better than the Merchandize of Silver Prov. 3.14 and the Gain thereof than fine Gold 2. They are needful things such things as we cannot be without Some things that Merchants of a City deal in and fetch from afar tho they are of great value yet we may very well subsist and live comfortably without them as Pearl and precious Stones c. But there is an absolute Necessity of all those things the Citizens of this City trade in and for 3. They are such Commodities as will make the Nations and Persons that buy them happy for ever and indeed there is no true Happiness without them Quest What is the Traffick of this City of God Answ The first thing that I shall mention is the Truth this she offers to Sale Buy the Truth and sell it not Prov. 23.23 The Church is called the Pillar and Ground of Truth 1 Tim. 3.15 Truth is only to be found in this City or in the Ware-Houses of the Citizens of Zion viz. the Word of God and the Hearts of Believers The second thing is a Soul-converting Gospel and blessed Ordinances The Law goeth forth of Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Mic. 2.4 The third thing they deal in are the Gifts and Soul-enriching Graces of the Spirit Hope Love Humility c. things of very great worth The fourth is Justification every true Sinner makes it his Business to get this precious Treasure The fifth thing is the Peace of God which passeth all Understanding one of the rarest Commodities in the World The sixth thing is Union and Communion with God 1 Joh. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ The seventh thing is Peace of Conscience Herein do I exercise my self Acts 24.16
to fight against and slaughter his deceived Nations of whom it is said The Lord shall go forth and fight against those Nations Zech. 14. as when he fought in the Day of Battel Which will be so dreadful a Fight or Battel as never yet was fought for Slaughter and Blood and so destroy this vile Person with the Brightness of his Appearance to fulfill 2 Thess 2. and cast him as the Son of Perdition into the burning Flames to fulfill Rev. 19.20 And the Fowls of Heaven shall be filled with their Flesh And here is the Mind that hath Wisdom The Beast that was and is not and yet is is of the seventh Head and is the eighth and goeth into Perdition V. The first Beast or Head of the Caldean Kingdom or Literal Babylon did invade Judea besiege Jerusalem take the City and trample it under foot till raised again by an Edict from the next great King of Persia V. The last Beast or Head of the Roman Kingdom call'd Mystery Babylon doth invade Sion the Gospel-Church hath closely besieged her and block'd up her Privileges and trampled under f●ot the holy City for a long space of Time Rev. 11.2 VI. The first Beast or Power of the Caldean Kingdom call'd Literal Babylon did take away the two Olive-Trees that stood before the God of the whole Earth VI. The last Beast or Power of the Roman Kingdom hath taken away or endeavoured to slay the two Witnesses that bore up the Light and Testimony of God to the World VII Caldea or Literal Babylon did set up Image-Worship commanding upon pain of Burning the Worshippers of the true God to fall down Jer. 5.38 Dan. 3.6 It is the Place of graven Images and they are mad upon their Idols And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same Hour be cast into the midst of the burning fiery Furnace VII Rome or Mystery Babylon requires Worship to be given to the Crucifix the Image of the Virgin Mary and other Saints but especially to the Idol of the Mass so that whosoever will not own that most ridiculous Idolatry of a piece of consecrated Bread coming out of the Priest's unhallowed Hands to be their God and Saviour shall be burned at a Stake as many blessed Men and Women young and old were in the Marian Days See Fox 's Acts and Monuments VIII Caldea or Literal Babylon was the Place of Captivity and Spoil for she carried the Servants of God away captive and made a Spoil of their Treasures and rejoiced in so doing Jer. 52.28 29 30. Ezek. 1. Dan. 1. Here we shall find Ezekiel and Daniel and Thousands more in Captivity here we shall find the Spoils of Jerusalem and the Enemy rejoicing in the Spoil Because ye were glad because ye rejoyced at the Destruction ye are grown fat as the Heifers at Grass and bellow as Bulls c. VIII Rome or Mystery Babylon is become the place of Captivity and Spoil for 't is by her Orders Dictates and Influence that the Servants of God have been carried away captive and their Goods and Possessions made a Spoil of in all parts of the Christian World In her Dominions it was where we find John Hus Jerome of Prague the Noble Lord Cobham and thousands more captivated and destroyed 'T is in their Jails we find good Men imprisoned in Popish Countries we find the Inquisition and other cruel Usages For who is it in all the Christian World besides that imprisons spoils and destroys Men for their Religion that persecutes the People of God but the Vassals of this sinful City of Rome Her wicked Sons did not only kill and spoil in Bohemia Piedmont and other Countries but they rejoyced in their horrid Wickedness as appears in the Histories of the Saints Sufferings written by Mr. Fox Mr. Clark Sir Sam. Moreland and others c. IX Caldea or literal Babylon notwithstanding her great Wickedness yet was the most lofty and proud of all Countries besides called the Lady of Kingdoms and the Glory and Beauty of Excellency for which God doth severely threaten her Isa 13.19 Behold I am against thee O thou most Proud saith the Lord God of Hosts Jer. 50.31 For thy Day is come the time that I will visit thee IX Rome or Mystery Babylon notwithstanding her great Crimes and most horrid Wickedness yet hath been the most Proud of any City or People in the Christian World who saith in her Heart I sit a Queen am no Widow shall see no Sorrow for which Haughtiness and Pride of hers the Lord will remember her with Judgment and Severity when he comes to make Inquisition for Blood and avenge upon her the Injury done to Sion Rev. 18.7 How much she hath glorified her self and lived deliciously so much Torment and Sorrow give her c. X. Chaldea or literal Babylon was not only a People of great Pomp Pride and Covetousness but of great Riches and Treasures Thou that dwellest upon many Waters Jer. 50.37 51.13 abundant in Treasures thine end is come the end of thy Covetousness X. Rome or Mystery Babylon is not only a People of great Pomp and Pride arrayed with Purple Scarlet Gold Pearl and precious Stones but she sits upon many Waters is Covetous as well as Proud and full of Treasures and indeed it must needs be so for besides the Gifts that were first given in the time of Constantine as is pretended she hath made a Prey upon Nations a Spoil upon Saints had the Gifts of Kings had vast Revenues setled upon her Orders and Clergy she has peeled the People by selling Pardons and Indulgences raising Peter-Pence and the like so horribly covetous is she that she is not willing any should go to Heaven without the Gift of Money to holy Church by which slight she is grown so exceeding Rich and full of Treasure that she can afford a golden Cup to present her intoxicating Wine in to be clothed with Scarlet deck'd with Gold Pearl and precious Stones she makes the Merchants of the Earth rich that do trade with her she hath indeed as a full answer to her Type Lam. 1.10 stretch'd forth her hand upon all the pleasant things of those Countries and Kingdoms where she hath sate as a Queen XI Caldea or literal Babylon did spoil the meetings of God's People made the Ways of Sion to mourn because Men could not come to the solemn Assemblies Lam. 1.4 The Ways of Sion do mourn because none can come to her solemn Feasts or Assemblies All her Gates are desolate her Priests or Ministers do sigh her Virgins are afflicted and she is in Bitterness c. XI Rome or Mystery Babylon hath spoiled the Meetings of God's People the true Professors of the Religion of the Holy Jesus by driving the Gospel Sion or Church into the Wilderness and oftentimes burning and plucking down their Meeting-Places and persecuting her Ministers driving them into Corners frighting and dispersing their Auditors by Fines Imprisonments
above another and larger each than other VI. So in the Church God hath placed Degrees of Officers some greater and higher in Glory than others as Apostles Eph. 4.11 Pastors Teachers c. VII The Walls of the Temple were covered round about with Cherubims Palm-Trees and Flowers VII To note saith Mr. Guild the Protection of the Church by the Ministry of Angels tho they are not seen and its peaceable victorious and flourishing State under the same VII Solomon consecrated the Temple unto the Lord. VIII Joh. 17. So did Christ his Church unto the Father IX There was Musick used in the Temple IX Which signifies that Joy of Heart Eph. 5.19 and heavenly Melody that is in the Church amongst the faithful and sincere Converts thereof X. In the Temple was the Ark of the Testimony and in the midst of the House 't is said he set it X. So in the Church is God's Word and Covenant of Grace born by Christ and by his true Ministers by preaching and publishing the same XI The Glory of the Lord filled the Temple God promised to dwell therein and hear the Prayers that should be there made I have hallowed this House 2 Chron. 7.15 saith God that thou hast built to put my Name there for ever and mine Eyes and my Heart shall be there perpetually XI So the glorious Presence of Go is in his Church he dwelleth in Sion and from thence the Perfection of Beauty shines forth and the Promises of blessed Grace Peace Pardon and Acceptance is made to them who dwell therein His Eye is always upon the Righteous his Ears open to their Cry 1 Pet. 3.12 and his tender Compassion is ever toward them Type Disparity THe Temple was built with dead and senseless Stones THe Church is built with living 1 Pet. 2.5 sensible and lively Stones II. The Stones were polished and hewen by the hands of Men. II. These Stones are hewn and polished by the hand of the Spirit III. The Temple that was built by Solomon was utterly destroyed by the Babylonians III. The Church of God can never be destroyed the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it Mat. 16.18 so as utterly to overthrow it tho it is not denied but the outward Courts have been trodden down by the Popish Gentiles Rev. 11.2 A Parallel between the second Temple built in the Days of Nehemiah and the Church of God Built in the latter Days Metaphor Parallel THe Temple that was built in the Days of Nehemiah was first destroyed by the literal Babylonians SIgnifying the Church of God should be greatly defaced and spoiled and the outward Courts trodden down by the mystical Babylonians Rev. 11 2 3 and afterwards rebuilt or rather repaired again II. The Temple was built in a troublesom Time they wrought with one hand and held a Sword in the other II. Signifying that the Church of God should be rebuilt in a troublesom time and that great Opposition should be made against them III. The Temple was rebuilt by such as had been for many Years in the Babylonian Captivity Neh. 4.13 III. Signifying that the rebuilding of God's Church should be by such as had been a long time in spiritual Captivity under the mystical Babylonians or Mother of Harlots IV. The Builders of this second Temple were look'd upon as poor weak and contemptible Persons in comparison of Solomon Neh. 4.2 and those that built with him IV. Signifying that those whom God would raise up to repair the waste Places of Sion in the latter Days should be poor weak inconsiderable Persons very unlikely to perfect so great a Work as Reformation is What was Luther and others whom God employed to the holy Apostles who were the first Builders V. The Builders of this Temple were greatly mock'd and jeer'd There were Sanballat Gesham Tobiah and others who in reproachful manner said What will these feeble Jews do Neh. 4.2 3 4. will they make an end in a Day If a Fox go up he shall even break down their Stone-Wall V. So the Rebuilders in these latter Days have been greatly reproached and contemned by the Enemies of Christ those that are truly religious called feeble weak and foolish Ones c. nay Hereticks Schismaticks and many other reproachful Names have been and still are daily given to them and their Work much slighted and despised also VI. The Builders of this Temple had much Rubbish to remove Neh. 4.2 before they could go on with their Work VI. So the Builders of God's Church in these latter Days have had much Popish Rubbish to remove much Filth of humane Inventions and Traditions of that Church being in their way some Stones being almost quite lost amongst this Rubbish and others ready to mistake and instead of a Stone of Sion they take a Stone of Babylon VII The Builders of this Temple were hindred and for a time the Work ceased VII So the Builders of God's House or Reformers in Religion have often been hindred or obstructed in these latter Days VIII Many People were very backward about rebuilding the Temple Hag. 1.2 in the Days of Haggai and Nehemiah crying the Time was not come that the House of the Lord should be built VIII So have many Souls been very backward about the Work of Reformation or repairing the House of God they have dwelt in their cieled Houses and let the House of God as it were lie waste IX Tho many cruel Enemies endeavoured to hinder the rebuilding of the Temple yet the Work went on and was finished in some Time to the Joy of the Faithful IX So the Enemies now as in former Times strive to hinder the repairing of God's House yet the Work of Reformation shall in due time be perfected to the Joy of all sincere Christians X. That Work was carried on not by Might Zech 4 6. nor by Power but by the Spirit of the Lord. X. So the Work in these Days goes on not so much by the Power of Men or human Help as by the Power of God and his Spirit XI God promised that the Glory of the second House should exceed the Glory of the first Hag. 2.9 which some conceive was made good by Christ's coming whose personal Presence in the Temple greatly added to its Glory XI So the Church of God in the latter Day will be far more glorious than it was ever yet since the beginning of the World which will be accomplished as will be shewed in respect of these things following 1. God will destroy all the Enemies of his Church 1 Sam. 2.10 Psal 37.10 11. The Adversaries of the Lord shall be broken in pieces out of Heaven God will thunder upon them for evil Doers shall be cut off Yet a little while and the Wicked shall not be but the Meek shall possess the Earth c. And all that lift up a hand against Zion shall be torn in pieces God will plead the
Judgment make haste their Consciences being thereby awakened by the Lord to get into that Place of Security God hath provided for them viz. the Rock Christ who is called an Hiding-Place Isa 32.2 IX There are many Sorts of Worms IX So there are many Sorts of Men Worms 1. Some great and some small Ones and yet all are but Worms 1. So there are some great Men mighty Ones of the Earth as Kings c. and some small or poor Men but yet all are but Worms weak and contemptible Creatures in God's sight David called himself a Worm I am a Worm and no Man c. Psal 22 6. 2. There are some Dunghil-Worms who love to abide or live in Dung and Muck of the Earth 2. So there are some Men whom we commonly call Muck-worms who delight in nothing more than in the Dung or Filth of the Earth or Muck of this World their Hearts and Hands are always in the Earth Take them out of this Filth and they are as dead Men and let them alone and you shall presently see them craul to their old Delights Nothing but the World is in their Mouths they wallow in their filthy Lusts and Earthly-mindedness as the Swine tumbles in the Mire III. There are some Worms very loathsom such as breed in rotten putrified Flesh which are called Carrion-Worms 3. Such a Worm is a wicked Man a Vermine a Worm that breeds in Corruption as it were a loathsom Creature in God's Sight See the Head of the Metaphor 4. There are some Worms that deceive the Eye seeming to be what they are not Many have thought they had seen Fire in the Night when they have cast their Eye upon them in the place where they have lain These are called Glow-worms R. W. tells us a Story of a Parson that in the Night being drunk casting his Eye upon one of these Worms having his Pipe of Tobacco filled went bodily towards it crying out Fire I hope Fire I hope When the Light comes these appear to all to be but Worms 4. There are some Men who deceive their Neighbours They take them to be holy and good Men precious Saints of God and yet are greatly mistaken in them they being no better than painted Sepulchers meer Hypocrites and notwithstanding their outward Shew of Holinesss and Sanctity are but Earth-Worms having the World viz. external Advantage or vain Glory in their Eye as the great Thing they aim at in their Profession and in the Day of Christ they will appear to be what in truth they are 5. There are some very hurtful Worms who spoil Trees Flowers and the Fruits of the Earth See Joel 1.4 Amos 4.9 Such are the Palmer-Worm the Caterpillar and the Canker-Worm Which Sort of hurtful Vermin God hath often brought upon a People and Nation as a Punishment of their Sins 5. So there are some Men who like to these Worms are of a very hurtful Nature and endeavour to spoil Christ's spiritual Trees Flowers and precious Fruit c. They are called Locusts or Caterpillars by the Holy-Ghost Rev. 9.3 they are said to come out of the Bottomless Pit And to them was given Power as the Scorpions of the Earth have Power c. By these Locusts are meant as Franciscus Claudius a Carmelite Fryar and others expound the Place as is noted by Mr. Wilson ' those great Swarms of Popish Priests Friars Monks Cardinals even the whole Popish Hierarchy and Pontificial Clergy These are fitly likened unto Locusts which are a little vile Vermine springing as some say out of Smoke c. And truly this is made too evident of that Sort of Men this day in England and other Nations of Europe Never were a more destructive Generation of vile Vermine in the World none make or threaten to make greater Spoil of Christ's Vineyard and precious Fruit-Trees than they And in that they are let in upon us we may plainly read God's Displeasure against us thereby and nothing but unfeigned Repentance and Reformation will doubtless free this poor Nation from them for at this very time we are sadly plagued and pestered with them See God an Husbandman 6. There are also some profitable Worms who are very laborious and cloath the World with Silk and they are called Silk-Worms 6. This Sort of Worms resemble the laborious and faithful Ministers of Christ who spend themselves in Preaching and in divine Prayer and Meditation that so they may enrich Mens Souls with Grace and true Vertue These as Instruments in God's Hand may be said to cloath Men and Women with Silk or gloriously adorn their better Part tho hereby through Zeal and faithful Industry for God's Glory they waste and consume their own Carcases spending and being spent as the Apostle speaks X. The House or Place of divers Worms is the Earth they lie hid in the Ground X. So Man who is a Worm must take up his Place for a short time in the Earth The Grave is my House saith Job Job 17.13 the Place appointed for all Living This Worm must go to his Fellows to the Worms Inferences BY this we may see what a poor thing Man is The mighty Ones of the Earth who boast of great Matters are but Worms And if Man be but a Worm why doth he swell above the Clouds as if he would make his Nest among the Stars when as he must shortly fall among the Clods and be eaten of Worms 2. Take heed of having Mens Persons in Admiration it is a vain thing to give flattering Titles to others As it becomes us not to reproach or vilify any Man tho all Men are but as Worms so it is a God provoking Evil to flatter Men thereby creating high thoughts in them of themselves as some once served Herod crying out It is the Voice of a God and not of a Man But the Almighty Acts 12.22 to shew how much he abhorred such as gave not him the Glory made them know he was but a Worm and therefore the Angel of the Lord smote him and he was eaten up of Worms 3. Be not envious at others tho more rich and honourable than thee The greatest of Men are but Worms and tho some sparkle and shine in outward Glory and Splendor and seem to excell every way yet they may be but like Glow-worms 't is but for a Night they seem like Stars in the Morning they will appear like others 4. Let us learn from hence not to overvalue our selves nor our Lives What is the Life of a Worm 5. What Fools are the Wicked of the Earth to muster up their Force against God's People Whom do they come out against It is but against a Worm Could they prevail what Honour would they gain by it Is it so great a matter to destroy a Worm for so Jacob in his low Estate is called Fear not thou Worm Jacob. But let them know this Worm hath a mighty God to take its part I will help
Christ who is their Righteousness and Strength He satisfieth their Mouth with good things Psal 103.5 so that their Strength is renewed like the Eagle's As the Lord brings his People low by bodily Sickness and Weakness and then renews their natural Strength so when there are Decays and Declinings upon their Souls he renews their spiritual Strength And as the Eagle renews her Strength by the Growth and Succession of new Feathers of the same kind in the place of the old so a Believer reneweth his Youth and Strength by casting off gradually the Old Man which is corrupt and by putting on more of the New Man Eph. 4.24 who is quite of another kind created after God in Righteousness and true Holiness IX Naturalists do observe that Eagles are fed and best nourished by Blood they suck and take in that both young and old IX So saith Mr. Caryl do Believers the feeding of the new Creature is upon Blood every godly Man spiritually drinks the Blood of Christ My Blood saith he is Drink indeed as offered to him both in the Promises and Ordinances of the Gospel A Saint could not live a Moment nor have any subsistence in Grace if he had not as the Eagle Blood to drink A godly Man is nourished by a believing Contemplation upon the Sufferings of Christ and the Effusion of his Blood X. Young Eagles are borne and carried upon the Wings of the old Eagle and thereby are preserved from the Dangers of Enemies X. So the Saints are borne supported and carried by the Power and Arms of the Almighty who is pleased to compare himself to an Eagle Deut. 32 11 12. As an Eagle stirreth up her Nest fluttereth over her Young spreadeth abroad her Wings taketh them and beareth them upon her Wings so the Lord alone did lead him and there was no strange God with him Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians and how I bore you upon Eagle's Wings and brought you to my self See Christ compared to an Eagle Disparity EAgles have many evil Qualities They are Birds of Prey c. yea and a very Vermine Sort of Creature and upon that account wicked Men are compared to Eagles which is opened under that Head of Metaphors concerning ungodly Men and Persecutors to which we refer you Saints compared to Sheep John 10.27 My Sheep hear my Voice c. THe Saints may be compared to Sheep in many respects Sheep are harmless Creatures meek sociable contented with hard Commons very tractable patient fruitful and very profitable are made a Prey to evil Beasts c. Upon all which Considerations and many others the Saints are likened to Sheep which is fully opened under the Metaphor Flock to which we refer you Saints compared to Souldiers 2 Tim. 2.3 Thou therefore endure Hardness as a good Souldier of Jesus Christ. A Souldier is taken in Scripture either properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or metaphorically Properly it is understood of a Person that is employed in Military Affairs one that bears Arms and is under Military Command Mat. 8.9 Metaphorically it is to be understood of a Christian that is engaged to fight the good Fight of Faith under the Command of Jesus Christ against the Enemies of the Soul This Title is not appropriated only to Ministers it is not a discriminating Title only to distinguish them from other Saints as the Title of Ambassador Pastor Watchman c. but a Title that belongs to every Christian and Professor of Christ So that Timothy is not called a Souldier meerly because he was an Evangelist but as he was a Disciple c. Saints are compared to Souldiers every true Christian is a spiritual Souldier of Jesus Christ Metaphor Parallel A Souldier is listed under some Captain or Commander he gives up his Name to him and enters himself into his Service SO every true Christian listeth himself under the Command of Jesus Christ who is the Captain of our Salvation He gives up his Name to him to serve him in all Uprightness as becometh a faithful Souldier to do making a solemn Covenant with Christ and his People to be on their side and this is visibly done in Baptism II. A Souldier leaves all other worldly Affairs and Incumbrances to follow that particular Employ No Man that warreth 2 Tim. 2.4 entangleth himself with the Affairs of this Life that he may please him that hath chosen him to be a Souldier They ought not like Reuben to abide among the Sheep-folds Jud. 5.16 to hear the Bleating of the Sheep II. So a true Christian forsakes all and follows Christ he becomes dead to this World he is crucified to it and that many times to him His Heart is not set upon Things below Col. 3.1 2. but upon Things above he looks upon Religion and Godliness as his great Work and Business They that are after the Flesh Rom 8.5 do mind the Things of the Flesh but they that are after the Spirit the Things of the Spirit III. A Souldier after he is listed and entred into his Company he is armed and put into a fit Posture for that Work and Service he is called to III. So a true Christian also is no sooner converted listed and entred into Christ's Company viz. his Church but he is armed likewise He puts on the whole Armor of God hath his Loins girt about with Truth and hath the Breast-plate of Righteousness his Feet shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Eph. 6 10 11 12. the Shield of Faith the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God And because most of those Parts or Pieces of a Christian's Armor are spoken to and opened under that Head of Metaphors respecting the Graces of the Spirit we shall speak no more of it here IV. A Souldier is known by his Habit Armor and Weapons from other Men they put off their own Clothes and put on the King 's especially if poor and ragged when they are listed IV. So a true Christian is known by the Clothes he hath on from the Wicked and Ungodly of the World He is cloathed with the Garment of Holiness and Humility and hath on all the precious Graces of the Spirit as Armor of Proof fast girt to him by the Girdle of Sincerity and this shews him to be one of Christ's Souldiers V. Souldiers many times are cloathed at the King's Charge and it is greatly for the Honour of a Captain to have all his Men bravely cloathed and glittering in their Armor V. So Christ cloaths all his Souldiers and they are all attired alike cloathed in white Their Robes cost dear viz. the Price of his own most precious Blood and it greatly tends to his Honour to have them kept clean and without Spot or Stain all glittering in their spiritual Armor viz. adorned with the blessed Graces of the Spirit VI. It is a Reproach to Souldiers to be meer mercenary to fight for
their Service couragiously Heb. 10 34 Prov. 28.1 They took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods The Wicked flie when none pursue but the Righteous are as bold as a Lion Shall such a Man as I fly was the Saying of a brave Souldier of this Captain's When Modestus the Emperor's Lieutenant threatned Basil with Confiscation of Goods Banishment and Death how couragiously did he bear it If you have any thing else threaten it for these things are nothing This was somewhat like that of Paul notwithstanding Bonds Imprisonment and Death was threatned against him yet saith he None of these things move me Acts 20.24 Rom. 5.3 neither account I my Life dear unto me c. We glory in Tribulation 4. Saints endure Hardness constantly the whole Life of a Christian is a Time of Warfare till this Life is done his Warfare is not done Job 17.9 The Righteous shall hold on their Way and he that hath clean Hands shall grow stronger and stronger A Saint must never cease being a Souldier Godliness must be his Trade as long as he lives As Satan will never have done tempting so he must never cease from resisting his Temptations 5. And then all this is done sincerely he hath holy Aims and Ends in what he doth XVIII A good Souldier spares none of the Enemy when he hath such a Command given him And Saul for not complying with the Requirement of God in this respect lost his Kingdom viz. in sparing Agag the King and the Fat of the Cattel when the Word of Command was 1 Sam. 15. Go smite Amalek and utterly destroy all that they have and spare them not but slay both Men and Women Infant and Suckling Oxen and Sheep Camels and Asses c. XVIII So a Saint or good Souldier of Jesus Christ spares not one Lust Every Sin like the cursed Amalekites must be put to the Sword He is no sound Christian that suffers any Sin to abide quietly in his Heart or Life unmortified If there be any one Darling-Lust spared it is a palpable Sign of Hypocrisy Some Men are ready to excuse their evil Lusts as Saul did They will cover their covetous Designs under the Pretence of doing good and distributing to the Necessities of the Poor but alas this will not do Obedience is better than Sacrifice A Saint must kill all put all his Sins to the Sword or die to them One Sin spared as Agag was will exclude thee the Kingdom of Heaven Rom. 8.13 If ye live after the Flesh ye shall die but if ye mortify the Deeds of the Body ye shall live XIX A good Souldier will keep with his Colours It is punishable by Martial Law for a Souldier to lie behind his Colours and Death without Mercy to depart quite from them XIX So a good Souldier of Christ will keep and abide with the Banner of Truth The Gospel saith Ainsworth is the Saints Ensign Isa 5.26 And he will lift up an Ensign to the People c. Christ will lash such as lie behind Peter was made to weep bitterly for straying from his Colours And it will be Death without Mercy to those that quite depart from the Truth and embrace Heresy or Idolatry And here let me caution all Christians to take heed lest they are deceived by their Enemies Satan like a cunning Pirate sometimes transforms himself into an Angel of Light he puts out false Colours comes with a seeming Banner or Ensign of Truth he can make use of Scripture when it will make for his purpose to deceive XX. A good Souldier will not turn his Back upon the Enemy to the dishonour of his Captain tho his Life be in danger he will not flie nor cowardly betray his Trust XX. So a good Souldier of Jesus Christ will not turn his Back to flie from the Enemy or utterly depart from the Truth whatsoever befalls him such is his Love to the Lord Jesus and Zeal for his Glory And besides he knows if he doth the great Danger he exposeth his own Soul to thereby for among all the Armor that Christians should take unto them we read of no Back-piece for if they turn their Back they are gone and undone for ever If any Man draw back Heb. 10.38 my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him XXI A Souldier is greatly animated and encouraged in all his Encounters and sharp Conflicts with the Enemy by considering the Reward and Honour he shall receive if he manfully holds out and gets the Victory XXI So a Saint is carried on with much Zeal and Courage by the consideration of the eternal Reward he shall receive in the end This made Moses despise the Glory of Egypt and refuse to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter He saw him who was invisible and had an Eye to the Recompence of Reward Heb. 1● Christ himself this way animates his Followers and faithful Souldiers I appoint to you a Kingdom Be you faithful unto Death Rev. 2.10 2 Tim. 4.8 9. and I will give you a Crown of Life I have saith Paul fought the good Fight and finished my Course and kept the Faith And henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which God the Righteous Judg will give me at that Day and not to me only but to all them that love his appearing XXII Some Souldiers of an Army are now and then singled out as Champions to engage an Enemy alone Tho every Champion be a Souldier yet every Souldier is not a Champion A Captain will not chuse any Souldier to this Work but such only as he knows are Men of Courage and Experience c. XXII So Christ sometimes calls forth one of his spiritual Army to engage the Enemy alone and as a Champion of the Truth to sacrifice his Life in the behalf of it What greater Honour can be conferred upon a Christian than this Such a Champion was St. Stephen Antipas c. who were brave Men Acts 7. Rev. 2.13 Saints of undaunted Courage and Resolution who loved not their Lives unto Death Metaphor Disparity NO earthly Souldiers know what the Event or Issue of their Wars will be they cannot tell whether they shall overcome and get the Victory or not tho they be never so valiant and couragious in their Service and faithful and true to their Captain and Leader BUt a true Christian knows and is assured that he shall overcome and obtain the Victory He fights not at an uncertainty the Issue of the War being made known unto him by Christ in his Word And altho a Christian may sometimes doubt of the Truth of his own Sincerity yet being sincere he doth not doubt of obtaining the Conquest II. Earthly Souldiers many times lose their Limbs and precious Lives in Fight and it is not in the Power of the wisest Captain in the World to repair or make up that Loss again II. But Christ's Souldiers never engage their Enemies to the Loss of Limbs