Miscellanea philo-theologica, or, God, & man A treatise compendiously describing the nature of God in his attributes, with a lively pourtraiture of his wisedome in ordering, and disposing of the celestiall, and terrestriall bodies. Containing much variety of matter ... and apt applications singular for brevity, and perspicuity. By Henry Church.

Of Fire.

1. Of the divers names of fire.

2. Of fire properly so called.

3. Of the qualities of fire.

4. Of the improper fire: fire met aphoricall.

5. Divers resolves concerning fire.

[Sect. 1] First, of divers names given to fire.

SOmetimes fire is attributed to God. Heb. 12.29. Our God is a consuming fire: so Christ in purging the elect, is like a purging fire, Mal. 3.2. and the holy Ghost is like fire, Matth, 3.11. and the word is as fire to perplexe the carnall, Luke 12.49. and fire to try and ex∣amine mens doctrines, 1. Cor. 3.13. so afflictions are fire, Psal. 66.12. And fire is that which is made with com∣bustible things, as wood, Acts 28.2, 3. and coales, Isai. 54.16. But all fire may be ranked to two heads: pro∣per, or improper fire; fire naturall, and fire meta∣phoricall.

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[Sect. 2] Secondly, of naturall or proper fire.

• 1. Fire is hid and secret.
• 2. Fire appeares alwaies with another thing.
• 3. Fire is alwaies in motion and working.
• 4. The fire it ascending upwards.

The effects of fire are in the third Section.

First, it gives light. Secondly, it gives heat. Thirdly, it consumes. Fourthly, it changes. Fifthly, it purifies.

Againe, fire

Is not lessened by giving heat; it is encreased by adding fuell; it pierces by degrees; it is never satisfied.

First, fire is hid and secret.

We see the earth and water distinctly: we feele the aire, but the earth lyes hid: it appeares not of it selfe, we must take paines to get it, and care to looke to it when we have it.

Considerations.

1. How is naturall corruption like to fire? it lies hid: Lit∣tle thought Hazael that there had beene that wickenes in his heart, which after manifested it selfe. 2. King. 8.13.

2. As the steele discovers the fire which lay hid in the flint, so doe occasions bring forth the corruptions which like fire lay hid.

For example,

1. A mans preferment discovers what was in his heart: as we see in Saul and in Vzzia. 2. Chron. 26.

2. Affliction discovers a mans heart. Isai. 8.21. Rev.

3. A mans praises discovers him. Prov. 27.21.9.20, 21.

4. Heresies discovers a mans corruptions that lay hid; he yeeldes when the lovers of truth shew themselves ap∣proved ones, 1. Cor. 11.19. Quos experientia docuerit esse fidei & pietatis sincerae.

3. So is grace hid, and secret in the heart as faith, and love, and meeknesse, and patience: yea occasions

manifests the same, as Iosephs chastity appeared by his mistresse tentation; and Davids loyalty, when she cut off the lappe of his masters garment, and would not kill him: we come to know the good and evill that is in our selves and others by experience, and occasions will de∣clare what grace, and what sinne is in us.

Secondly, Fire appeares with another thing.

The sparke stayes not, unlesse yee nourish it with tinder or touch-wood, then Brimstone, or wood, or cole, or paper, or match, or straw, or turffe, or some combu∣stible thing must shew it preserve, and continue it.

Considerations.

1. How doth grace manifest it selfe with that it works withall, like to the fire it comes from God, and is kind∣led in the heart; and then Grace is the fire and thoughts is as the fuell: Grace is the fire, and words is the fuell, Grace appeares with duties of piety, workes of righteous∣nesse and Mercy.

2. That which appeares with the fire, doth nourish it, and continue it: so Faith begets prayer, and prayer nou∣rishes Faith: Ioy begets strength, and strength preserves Ioy: dilligence it breeds assurance, and assurance nouri∣shes dilligence; faith begets works, and works confirme Faith, patience comes from hope, and hope prolongs patience, as fire breeds ashes, and ashes preserves fire.

3. So sin appeares as fire in the fuell: Jgnorance ap∣peares in pride, and pride will not be informed, but be ig∣norant still.

Thirdly.

Fire is alwayes in motion ever working like the clock wound up, and pulses which alwayes beate: the fire ever goes forward, working on the fuell to turne it into his owne nature.

Consideration.

So is Grace, ever operative, turning the subject where it is to his owne nature: it ever provokes a man to read

or pray, or fast, or worke, or exhort, or comfort others, or reconcile them at oddes. A man that hath Grace, is never idle, he is a busie Creature in his generall calling, or his perticular, or both, hee will endeauour to spread truth, and oppose errour, and mortifie sinne in himselfe, and stop sinne, and bewaile it in others, he is alwayes in action, much in devotion.

2. Sinne in the unregenerate, is as fire ever in motion: In their beds they imagine mischeife, being risen they acte it, they are resolved to do evill, and act sin with a great delight. Pharaoh was a plotter against Gods peo∣ple, and Saul breathed out threats, and procures letters and takes a journy; men will break their sleepe, and be at cost, and unwearied, and unsatisfied in the service of sin.

In the fourth place.

Fire ascends upwards, it being his natural motion, and disposition, so it ascends.

1. Speedily, as soone as tis kindled.

2. Strongly, because naturall motion is strong.

3. Constantly, naturall motions are constant.

4. Easily, without compulsion.

5. If the flame be beaten down, or kept down, it breaks upward assoone as that is remooved that held it down, and strives all the time tis opposed and kept downe.

Considerations.

1. What fit resemblance is between fire and true grace: Fire, the naturall motion is upward; so Grace makes the Soule ascend upward, to seeke the things aboue, Col. 3.1. and to make our Minds heavenly. Phil. 3.20.

2. Fire hath a strong motion upward; so grace carries the soule to God with strength, Psal. 42.2. the soule thirsteth for God: and thirst is the strongest passion: In Act. 17.16. St. Pauls spirit was stirred for God, non po∣terat sustinere, he could not forbeare: so grace stirres the heart upward to minde things above; it makes men spiritu ferventes, Rom. 12.11. fervent in spirit; as Christ

was strong in the Spirit, Luke 1.80. hence Christians have deepe sighes, strong cryes within them, earnest groanes and longing, strong and fervent prayers. Psal. 51. Iam. 5.16.

3. Fire hath a constant motion upward: so grace is alwayes aspiring to the things above; when a man breakes off his sleepe he awakes with God. Psalme 139.18. grace makes a man trust in God all the day, Psal. 25.5. to call upon God continually, Psal. 86.3. to set God alwaies before us, Psal. 16.8. grace is thinking de∣vising, contriving, desiring, questioning, seeking, and ex∣ercising it selfe about things above, things holy, heaven∣ly, gratious and spirituall.

4. Fire ascends easily without compulsion; so grace hath a propensity and facillity to heavenly things: grace makes a man joyfull to come to the house of God, Psal. 122.1. and willing to come to the assemblies: Ps. 110.3. a man comes with gladnesse, Philipians 1.4. heares with readinesse, Acts. 10.33. his praises comes from his joy, Psalme 63.5. his almes for a chearefull minde, 2. Cor. 8.3. he is easie to be intreated, Iames 3.17. he is as ripe fruit soone shaken, as ripe corne soone threshed.

5. If the flame be kept downe, it ascends againe as soone as that kept it downe is removed. So grace may be suppressed, but take that away which keepes it downe, it doth flame up againe presently. Sinne quelled grace in David, but his sinne being pardoned, how did his graces flame upward! what sweet prayers did hee make to God? what holy Psal••s did he indite: Tyranny, and tentation, and reproaches may seeme to extinguish the graces of Gods children, but they burne inwardly, Psal. 39.3. and there is a recourse to God. Jer. 20.9.12. and when they doe get victory, enlargement, and liber∣ty, then it is apparant the fire was kept in, but by vio∣lence, and they flame more than they did before; as the Smiths fire by his casting water on it, burnes the more fervent.

[Sect. 3] Thirdly, Of the quallities and effects of fire.

1. FIre gives light so saith the Prophet, Isay 50.11.

2. Fire gives heate, so saith St. Marke, chap. 14. vers. 54.

3. Fire consumes, Amos 2.1. Combusserit ossa, &c.

4. Fire it changes, Psal. 68.2.

5. Fire it purifies, Mal. 3.2.

6. Fire encreases by adding fuell.

7. Fire is never satisfied, Prou. 30.16.

[ 1] 8. It is not lessened by communicating heate.

Fire gives light, so doth Gods word: instructi∣on is the light, shines from the Law, Proverb. 6.23. by preaching men receive light, Acts 26.18.

Considerations.

1. Light doth distinguish; so doth the word, by it we know what is good, and what is evill.

2. Light is comfortable, so is the word, Ier. 15.16.

3. Light makes us walke safely, so doth the word; [ 2] guide us in the waies of peace and safety.

Fire gives heate, so doth Gods spirit; he heates us with zeale and warmes our affections.

Considerations.

1. Heate makes us joyfull: a man that is warmed at the fire saith Aha, Isai. 44.16. so the comforts of Gods spirit makes a man much refreshed, Psal. 94.19.

2. Heate makes a man active, his benumednesse being removed; so Gods peo••••e are active being cheared with the comforts of Gods holy spirit, the joy of the Lord is their strength.

3. The fire giving heate, men presse to it, and desire to be nigh it: so Gods spirit working heate and comfort in our soules, we should ever desire and much pray for it.

[ 3] Fire consumes all combustible matter it meetes with, as wood, straw, coale, &c.

Considerations.

1. The curse of God consumes, Zach. 5.3.4. as the fire consumes two wayes, either secretly by degrees, or violently and swiftly: so the curse is secret, as a moath and rottennesse, Hos 5.12. or more violent and terrible as a Lyon, or Lyons whelp, vers. 14.

2. Fire consumes not only the house where it first kin∣dles, but the next house to it, and if it be not quenched it reaches to many houses: so the curse of God reaches to a sinner, to his next heires, yea if repentance doe not come betweene, it reaches to the third and fourth gene∣ration.

[ 4] Fire changes; it turnes the couler of that you put into it, it meltes the waxe comes neere it, it hardens the clay, it drives the moisture out of the paper or cloth that is held before it.

As fire changes, so doth Gods spirit, 2. Cor. 3.18.

Considerations.

1. In their condition, they were captives, 2. Tim. 2.14. now they have liberty, 2. Cor. 3.17. They were children of wrath, Ephes. 2.2. they be changed to be children of God, 1. Iohn 3.1.

2. They be changed in disposition, Isa. 11.6, 7, 8. they were enemies, Rom. 5.10. now are friends, Ioh. 15.14. they have a divine nature, 2. Pet. 1.4. and a new heart, and a new spirit Eze. 36.26.

3. They be changed in conversation; the old compa∣nions they cry away from me▪ Psal. 119.115. they be changed in their speeches which were once rotten, Eph. 4.29. but now gratious, Col. 4.6. they are changed in their a••tions, they eschew evill and doe good, they pra∣ctice righteousnesse and doe exercise mercy, they doe performe duties of piety from an inward principle, from a new life infused into them, there is an universall change where Gods spirit comes, savingly and effe∣ctually.

5. Fire purifies, and purges, and seperats, the drosse from the mettall.

Considerations.

1. As fire purges and purifies, so doe afflictions; God hath his furnace in Sion, there is fiery tryals to prove and to try the people of God, Psal. 66.10. 1. Pet. 4.12.

2. As the fire is made according to the will of the gold-smith, so our afflictions are according to the will of God.

3. As the time of the mettalls being in the fire is ac∣cording to the wisedome of the goldsmith, so the time of our afflictions are according to the wisedome of God.

4. When the mettall is melted and the drosse taken away, then it comes forth more pure, so when our hearts are humbled, and our corruptions purged, then we come forth as gold.

6. Fire increases by adding of fuell.

Addition breeds multiplication: the more fuell the greater is the fire.

Considerations.

1. So is it with coveteousnesse and riches, as wealth comes in, coveteousnesse encreases, having hundreds the desires run after thousands, the desires are not quenched with money no more then fire is with fuell.

2. Addition of graces are as the fuell: assurance of salvation as the fire; the more graces, the more assurance, by the joyning grace to grace we make our calling and election sure.

3. Wicked men adde ••o the people of God affliction and misery, this they do willingly, but by this meanes they adde fuell to their felicity and glory, this they do unwillingly.

7. Fire is never satisfied: yea may adde till you be weary, fire still desires more.

1. So is it with all earthly things, they doe never sa∣tisfie the restlesse desire of man: the Bee flies from one

flower to another, as unsatisfied: Solomon proved by experience, no full satisfaction in earthly things; like the fire we still desire more.

8. Fire is not lessenned by communicating heate, nor have we the lesse by communicating of our gifts to o∣thers: wealth communicated to others lessenneth our store; but in heavenly graces it is otherwise: in heating others we are not the colder; in quickning others we are not the more dull: the Cock claps his wings, and awakes himselfe, he crowes, and awakes others: The fire burnes if that no body be neare it, if you warme you, there is no diminishing: it burnes, and heates, and doth good with advantage to us, and no dis-advantage to it selfe. So much of proper fire: next

[Sect. 4] Of improper fire; metaphoricall fire.

BY improper fire we may understand the metaphori∣call fire, that is like fire; or the extraordinary fire we read of, which doth differ from our material Fire.

This is of two sorts:

• 1. Supernall fire.
• 2. Infernall fire.

1. Supernall fire comming from above, and of these are two causes.

• 1. From Gods anger.
• 2. From Gods favour.

1. From Gods anger; so Fire came downe from hea∣ven on Sodome and Gomorrah, Gen. 19.24. Also on them that offered Incense in the conspiracy of Korah. Numb. 16.35. On the Captaine and his fifty. 2. Kings 1.10.

2. From Gods favour: so Fire came downe on the sacrifice of Solomon, 2. Chron. 7.1. and on the sacrifice of Eliah, 2. King. 18.38. Thus God shewed his love and favour to these his seruants by fire from heaven.

2. Infernall fire is that which the damned doe feele in hell, set forth in Scripture.

1. For the greatnesse, there is fire and much wood: the Prophet speakes to our capacity. Isaiah 30.33.

2. By the terriblenesse, it is a lake of fire, as St. Iohn saith. Revel 21.15.

3. The eternity of it is everlasting. Matth. 25.41.

This fire ceaseth on the soules of men, it layes hold on spirits and hath

1. Shame, for they shall bee looked upon as spe∣ctacles of wrath to their infamy. Isaiah 66.24.

2. This fire differs from fire on earth, and hath with it darknesse and paine: our fire gives light and warmth.

3. This fire hath with it indignation, and an exceeding vexation; for there is gnashing of teeth.

4. Divines thinke there is horrible blasphemie, because of their torments.

5. The company of the divels most fearefull and ter∣rible. And in this Fire

1. Is no resistance, for now they suffer, Jude 7. and are bound hand and foote. Matth. 22.13.

2. Is not the least mittigation. Luke 16.24, 25.

3. There is a gnawing worme in the fire. Mar. 9.44.

4. A senciblenesse of the torment. Luk 16.24.

5. A knowledge that others be in joy. Luke 16.23.

6. The torment is on the whole man, all the faculties of the soule, and all the parts of the body.

The degrees of torment.

1. According to the measure of wickednesse commit∣ted. Matth. 23.14.

2. According to the meanes of grace they despised. Matth. 11.24.

[Sect. 5] Fifthly, of divers resolves concerning fire, both naturall and divine: and of Meteors.

First of them that are naturall.

[Quest. 1] HOw many waies may fire be put out?

[Answ.] First by spreading it abroad. Secondly, by with∣drawing

of the fuell. Thirdly, by throwing water on it.

So our lust may be quenched; by separating of them, by taking away that which doth nourish them, by teares of repentance.

[Quest. 2] Why doth fire burne hottest in frosty weather?

[Answ.] The extremity of the cold aire provokes it to be more vehement.

[Quest. 3] Why doth Wine, and some strong waters burne and take fire?

[Answ.] Because of the strongnesse, and clamminesse, and fatnesse that is in it, it is combustible.

[Quest. 4] Why doe men burne the ends of pales which they do put in the ground?

[Answ.] That the moysture being expelled, the putrefacting part may remaine the longer in the ground without rot∣ting.

[Quest. 5] What is the cause of the continuall fire that is on mount Aetna?

[Answ.] The minerals of Brimstone, or some other combu∣stible Oare; which quantity being great, the fire conti∣nues: thus the learned doe thinke.

[Quest. 6] Quenching the hot Iron in the Smiths forge, why doth it ••isse and make a noyse?

[Answ.] First, suddaine alterations breedes distemper in the ve∣ry iron: Secondly, violent extreames doe fight and make anoyse.

[Quest. 7] How may we prove the foure elements in a fire-stick?

• [Answ.] 1. There is fire in the one end of the sticke.
• 2. There is water wooses out at the other end.
• 3. There is aire fumes out with the water.
• 4. The sticke burnes to ashes, there is earth.

[Quest. 8] Why doe children love to play with the Fire?

• [Answ.] 1. Because of the finenesse of the colour.
• 2. Because they want experience of the operation of it.

[Quest. 9] Why doe english people make bonefires the fifth of every November?

[Answ.] 1. That the Fire may be a lively remembrance of our deliverance from Popish Fire.

2. That our children might aske the meaning, and be instructed in Gods mercies to us.

3. To daunt the enemy when they see us rejoycing, whom they rather would see weeping and mourning.

4. We expresse outwardly what we have inwardly, the fire of zeale and thankfulnesse.

5. The burning of the wood, shewes how traitors shall burne in hell.

6. We would teach them: we make fires, not to burne them, as they did us, but to give them light and warmth.

Secondly, other resolves concerning metaphoricall fire.

[Quest. 1] How is anger like to fire?

[Answ.] 1. A little may grow to a great flame.

2. Fire and anger be hurtful out of their proper places.

3. Fire is dangerous neare flaxe, and anger is dange∣rous where is provocations.

4. Wisedome orders fire, so a wise man orders his anger.

5. Fire raked in ashes, stirring discovers it; so concealed anger, occasions doe manifest it.

6. There is likenesse in the quenching of fire and anger.

1. Fire is quenched by with-drawing fuell: so anger is appeased by removing that which doth nourish it.

2. Fire is quenched by water, and anger is quenched by teares of humiliation.

3. Houses on fire are holpen by pulling downe, so anger is cured by pulling downe pride and high conceits.

[Quest. 2] How doth wickednesse burne like fire?

[Answ.] 1. One coale kindles another; so one wicked man doth infect another.

2. Fire consumes; so doth wickednesse consume all good in the soule, the strength of the body, the goods, the good name.

3. Some sport with fire; some sport with sinne.

4. When fire gets mastery wee are undone: so

when sinne gets dominion we perish.

5. When a man sees fire in his house, too late, he cries desperately: so it is with sinne at the death bed.

6. Fire hath undone them that were very rich: so wickednesse did undone the very Angels.

7. If we espy fire very dangerous, if we can timely quench it, we doe rejoyce; so if we espy our sinnes, and timely repent, it aboundantly comforts us.

8. If a man be cryed unto, his house is on fire, if hee he stirre not, he is like to perish: so if the Preacher crye out of the sinne in mans soule, if hee repent not, hee perishes.

9. If fire be almost put out, if it have matter it will revive againe; so wickednesse curbed by law, education, shame, example, if not throughly mortified, it will re∣vive againe.

10. If fire be blowne, it is more furious: so if sin bee provoked, furthered and animated, it is more furious; provoked lusts are strong.

[Quest. 3] How is jealousie like unto fire?

[Answ.] 1. As fire is ever working, so jealousie is never at rest.

2. Fire works on the least advantage, so doth jealousie.

3. Fire blowne, and added unto, is outragious, so is jea∣lousie, if it be stirred, and new matter added to it.

4. Many times the neighbours are called to helpe quench fire: so often times the neighbours and the friends are called to appease the jealous party.

5. Fire will except of no gifts, nor be intreated not to burne: so the jealous man will endure no ransome, though the gifts be augmented. Prov. 6.

6. Fire lies sometimes invisible in the ashes: so jea∣lousie lies secret hid in the heart.

7. Fire burnes those that touch it; so the jealous per∣son is angry with those converse with them.

8. A sure way to quench fire, is to cast on water, and take away the fuel: so to quench jealousie, the best way

is to weepe for them, and to give them no just occa∣sion.

9. If a man come with a handfull of flaxe or straw to beate the fire, hee encreases it: so to come to the jealous party with passion, rough words, or threats, doth more enrage them.

10. Put two fires together, they doe burne the hotter; so put two jealous persons together, let them talke to∣gether, they strengthen each other.

11. Fire sometimes burnes where it should not: so the jealous person sometimes suspects were he should not.

12. Fire welcomes that will encrease it: so doth the jealous party welcome the tales and reports that encrea∣ses jealousie.

[Quest. 4] What lessons may we learne from the fire which fel on Sodome?

[Answ.] 1. That God is just as well as mercifull.

2. Strange sinnes bring strange punishments.

3. The equity: they burnd in lust first, and then were burned with fire.

4. Voluptuous living hath a smarting conclusion.

5. Vniversality of sinnes, brings universall destru∣ction.

6. Those which cannot abide to be reproved, must a∣bide to be punished.

7. We should take examples, least we make examples.

[Quest. 5] How is Gods word like to fire?

[Answ.] 1. The fire gives light: so doth Gods word. Psal. 19.

2. The fire gives heat; so doth the word.

3. The fire in his place rejoyces; so doth the word rightly applyed. Ier. 15. Job. 23.

4. The fire consumes the combustible stuffe; so the word consumes our sinnes and lusts.

5. The fire changes some things, and drawes some things to it; so doth the word change us, and win us, and turne us to his owne likenesse.

[Quest. 6] How are the judgements like fire?

[Answ.] 1. Fire is terrible, when it is cryed fire, fire; so Gods judgements are terrible in the threats.

2. Fire it impartiall: so are Gods Judgements.

3. Fire consumes; so doe Gods judgements.

4. Fire torments men; so doe Gods judgements.

5. The spoyle that fire makes, is reported a farre off from the place: so Gods judgements are heard of, and famous for report and record.

6. When fire is cryed, and kindled, men doe remove their Goods, and cast water on their neighbours houses, or flye away: so in the threatning and beginning of judgements, it is wisedome to pray, and to give almes, to lay up treasure in heaven: to weep for the sinnes and miseries of others, to the from the sins of the time, un∣to the name of God, to the throne of grace.

7. When wee see the flame a farre, wee beginne to bestirre our selves, so the judgements on neighbour na∣tions should now awaken us.

8. The mining sunder ground are least perceived, and yet most terrible, sudden, and inevitable: so inward spi∣rituall judgements are least perceived, and most dan∣gerous.

9. As those that kindled the fire are worthy of our ha∣tred, and those that quenched it are worthy of our love: so the wicked that procure Gods judgements are worthy of most hatred, and the godly that preserve us from them, or by their prayers remove them, deserve most love.

Notes

• Nehem. 8.10.
• Luke 11.13.
• Job 23.10.
• 2. Pet. 1.