and defileth. In this respect sundry corruptions are resembled to Leven, which sowreth and infecteth; as corrupt doctrine, Matth. 16. 6. hypocrisie, Luk. 10. •…•…. maliciousnesse, 1 Cor. 5. 8. lewd and evill company, 1 Cor. 5. 6, 7. Our spreading 〈◊〉〈◊〉 infecting nature. The Apostle reckons up sundry effects that sprout from thence, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 5. 9.
Obj. The kingdome of hevean is said to be as leven, how then can leven infect?
Answ. Things resembled to leven, are to be taken according to their own kind, whether they be good or evill: and the metaphor of leven is used in the generall nature of it, which is, to diffuse to others that vertue which it hath in it self. If the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it self be good, then it intendeth a diffusion of that which is good. If it be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then it intendeth infection and diffusion of that which is evill. Thus the word i•…•… said to be a savor of life unto life, and a savor of death unto death: thus Christ and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Devill are both resembled to a Lyon: Christ in his strength and courage; the Devill in his voracity and desire of mischief: so in sundry other things, the same si∣•…•… litude may set out contrary matters.
Corruption is also set out to be of an infecting nature, by the comparison of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Tim. 2. 17. which fretteth, infecteth, and eateth up one part after ano∣ther. Yea it is also resembled to a fire.
This is also a strong motive to make men watchfull against corruption, that they •…•…e not infected and defiled therewith. How watchfull are men against the Leprosie, and against the Plague? in that these diseases do infect and defile a man.
The last word many, doth adde much emphasis to the point, and sheweth, that the infection of corruption is very great, not only parties themselves, but others also, and those many, are defiled therewith. By Ieroboams sin were many defiled, 1 King. 12. 30. This was his stile, Ieroboam which made the people to sin, 2 King. 10. 29. So many were defiled with the God of Ahab, as Elijah thought none free but himself, 1 King. 19. 14. The false prophesies of false Prophets defiled more then the true and faithfull Prophets could instruct and heale: witnesse Ieremiahs time. Not only Scribes and Pharisees, and the rest of the Jewes, but also Christian disciples were infected with the Pharisaicall conceipt of an externall and worldy Monarchy of the Messiah. Multitudes of beleevers in the Apostles time were in∣fected with the leven of the Ceremoniall Law. After the Apostles time, as other Here∣sies, so that pestilent heresie of Arrianisme spread exceeding far: in so much as the Arrians assembled sundry Councils, which ratified their heresies, and Bishops gave their suffrages thereto. An Ancient Father hath this elegant expression of the fierce spreading of this heresie, The whole world doth groane, and wonders that she is made an Arrian. Yet Popery hath spread it self far further. How many in Germany, Denmark, Swethland, and other places, who have renounced the Popish Religion, are notwithstanding infected with consubstantiation, ubiquity of Christs body, free will, and many like errors. Arminianisme also, and Anabaptisme, hath much prevailed. I would to God that the infection of many of those leprosies and plagues, had not spread so far as they have done into this Island, whereby many have here been defiled.
As this circumstance of multitude is a great aggravation of corruption, so the sup∣pressing of it is a great amplification of their good paines, who do their best endea∣vour to suppresse it.