* 1.1VERS. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrarye
[Quest. 1] What is here Allegorically meant by the ship, and the sea?
[Answ.] By the Sea is meant the World; and by the Ship is meant the Church
[Quest. 2] Why is the Church meant by the Ship?
[Answ. 1] First, because, as the Marriners and Passengers are saved in the ship from drowning; so are the faithfull saved in the Church: For as none were saved, but those who were in the Arke; so none can be saved, but such as are within the Church; for Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus.
Secondly, because as the ship never abides [Answ. 2] long in any one certaine place: so the Church is not tied to any one Citie, or nation perpetu∣ally: but as the Ship is carried by the wind, so the Church is gathered by the Holy Spirit, whe∣ther hee please; for the wind blowes where it lists, Iohn 3.
[Quest. 3] What resemblance, or Analogie is there, be∣tweene the Church, and a Ship?
[Answ.] For answer hereunto observe; that in a Ship there are many things: namely,
First, there is Nauelerus, the Master and Pilot of the Ship; and this is Christ, who is,
I. Potens, an able Pilot; and can defend the Church against all Pirats whatsoever.
II. Bonus, a good Pilot; and doth graciously gather up, or let loose the saile, as hee sees most fit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sometimes his Church sailes with ful sailes, and is in a prosperous, and peaceable estate; some∣times it is (as it were) becalmed, and stands at a stay: yea, sometimes tossed to and fro with the waves: But the good Pilots care is such; that although it seeme for a while, to make but a smal progresse; yet he doth preserve it even then from danger.
III Sapiens, Christ is so a wise Pilot; and doth so direct this Ship, his Church, through quicke sands, and rocks; that at length it ar∣rives to the haven of happinesse, and eternal rest.
Secondly, there are in a Ship, Remiges, the Mariners; and these are the Ministers of the Church, who helpe to manage this Ship, and to carry, or transport it, from haven to haven; and from one Kingdome to another.
Thirdly, in a Ship there are Vela, sayles; and Clavus, a Rudder; and this is the word of God, whereby the Church is governed.
Fourthly, there is Ʋentus, wind: now this is two-fold, namely:
I. A faire wind, which carries the Ship to his wished Port: and this is the Holy Spirit, who agi∣tates, and animates the sayles of the word.
II. A crosse, contrary, and tempestuous wind, which endangers the Ship: Now the hurtfull, and troublesome winds, are either,
I. Heretikes, who deceive the simple, and cause them to make shipwracke of faith; as did Ebi••n, Arius, Cerinthus, and divers others of old, and many in our ages. Or,
II. Tyrants, who persecute the Church, as did Maximinus, Decius, Diocletianus, Iulianus; and many moe besides. Or,
Secondly, Intra nos, within us; and this is the Devill; who raiseth sometimes the wind of pride, promising honour (as he did unto Christ) sometimes the wind of pleasure (as he did unto David) sometimes the wind of covetousnesse, as hee did unto Nabal: yea, sometimes hee blowes one blast, sometimes another, according to the nature and disposition of him hee tempts.
Fifthly; there are Conscensus, the steps, or ladder by which a man climbes up to the Ship. This is Baptisme, which is the ordinary admission, and entrance into the Church. For as Noah numbred the creatures, which entred into the Arke, by steps made for that purpose. So by Baptisme, the faithfull are publikely admitted into a covenant with God.
Sixthly, there is Naulum, the fraught, or fare which is paid for passage over the sea in a Ship; this is, the Covenant which wee make with our Christ in Baptisme: hee promiseth to carry us safe over the troublesome, and dangerous sea of this world; and bring us to our wished haven; and wee promise him, that wee will faithfully, without fraud, or coven pay our fraught. He pro∣miseth to bring us to our eternall countrey, and immortall kingdome; and wee promise him, to render due, and faithfull obedience, throughout