§. I. The Allegoricall and Anagogicall sense or application of SOLOMONS [ 20] Ophirian Nauigation.
THis is an extract of Solomons Story, so much as concernes our present purpose, the autho∣ritie whereof is Sacred, a Diuine, infallible, inuiolable, and vndenyable veritie; the fitter ground for many high and worthy consequences hereafter to be deliuered. I shall here leaue to the Diuinitie Schooles, in more leisurely contemplation to behold the Allegoricall sense (shall I say, or application?) wherein Solomon seemes to signifie Christ,* 1.1 his Nauy the Church, (long before liuely represented in that first of Ships, the Ark of Noah) which in the Sea of this variable World seekes for the golden Treasures of Wisdome and Knowledge, with (that plentifull riches) the rich plentie of good Workes. The Seruants of Hiram,* 1.2 the Doctors [ 30] chosen out of the Gentiles, with the learned Christian Iewes (the seruants of Solomon) imployed ioyntly in this Ophirian Discouery, thence bring the rich materialls (as the Israelites the Aegyp∣tian spoyles for the Tabernacle, so these) for building and adorning the Temple (the true sense of Scripture) after long absence by a troublesome Nauigation (in the search of Authors Diuine, Ec∣clesiasticall and Humane, an Ocean of toyle) from their homes. For the naturall man, that abides at home in himselfe, and hath not trauelled from his owne Wisdome and Selfe-conceit, knowes not the things of God, nor the great Mysteries of Godlinesse; he must leaue the Land, his Earthly Wisdome (Terrae{que} vrbes{que} recedant) and lanch into the deepe, there hauing his sayles filled with the winde, the illumination of that Spirit, which leads into all truth; the Scriptures being their Card, the faithful heart the Load-stone, Christ himselfe the Load-starre and Sunne of Truth, as before is intimated. [ 40] Thus shall the Temple, and Church of God be edified, enriched, adorned, after wee haue arriued at Ophir, and haue seene our owne weaknesse, and taken paines in myning Gods Treasures, and vn∣dermining our owne hearts, searching and trying our owne and Gods wayes; casting off, and pur∣ging from vs all superfluous Earth, and detaining the Gold and richer Mettall, which wee may carry and present, as the Talents gained by our Talents, in the best improuement of Gods graces, when wee shall returne to our Solomon, the Iudge of quicke and dead, after our Nauigation and earthly Pilgrimage ended. But alas how many make shipwracke of Faith by the way, and either are split on the Rockes of enormous crying Sinnes, or sinke in the smaller innumerable sands of habituall Lusts, couered with the shallowes (meere shadowes) of ciuill Righteousnesse.
Or if you had rather adioyne to the Allegory, the Anagogicall sense and vse; this History [ 50] will appeare also a Mystery and Type of Eternitie. Euery Christian man is a ship, a weake ves∣sell, in this Nauie of Solomon, and dwelling in a mortall body, is within lesse then foure inches, then one inch of death. From Ierusalem the Word and Law of our Solomon first proceeded, by preaching of Solomons and Hirams seruants, the Pastors and Elect vessells to carry his Name, ga∣thered out of Iewes and Gentiles, which guide these Ships through a stormy Sea, beginning at the Red Sea, Christs bloudy Crosse, which yeelded Water and Bloud, till they arriue at Ophir, the communion of Saints in the holy Catholike Church. Thither by the water of Baptisme first, and by the waters of Repentance, drawn out of our hearts and eyes in manifold Mortifications after; (the feare of God beginning this Wisdome, the windy lusts of concupiscence, and vnstable waues of the world in vaine assailing) they attaine in the certaintie of Faith and assurance:* 1.3 where seeking [ 60] for Knowledge as for Siluer, and searching for her as for hidden Treasures, they doe as it were labour in the Mynes for Gold, which they further purifie by experimentall practise and studie of good Workes: yet not in such perfection, but that to this foundation, Gold, Siluer, precious Stones,* 1.4 some Almug trees are added for the Temples Pillars, oftentimes also of our owne, Hay and Stub∣ble, as worse and more combustible matter ioyned; the Iuory, being a dead Bone may serue for a