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

The Church compared to a Golden Candlestick.

Rev. 1.20. The Golden Candlesticks are the seven Churches.

MR. Brightman, and others, understand this Metaphor of Golden Candlesticks, is taken from the Candlesticks that were in the Tabernacle erected by Moses; and the Resemblance between these holds good in two or three Particulars, which take as follow.

Metaphor.	Parallel.
IN general, the Use of a Candle∣stick is to hold out the Light to others. No Man (saith our Savi∣our) lighteth a Candle, and putteth it under a Bushel, but into a Candle∣stick; and it giveth Light to all that are in the House.	SO the Church holdeth out the Light of God's Word to all that dwell therein, in which respect the Apostle calleth the Church the Pillar of Truth,* 1.1 because she holds out the Truth to be seen, (saith Weemse) the Expression being taken from the Custom of many Nations, who are used to write their Laws in Tables, and so to hang them upon Pillars of Stone, that the People whom it concerned to know them, might see and read them; as amongst us, Proclamations are nailed to Posts in Market-Towns. Dr. White. The Church holds out her Light three ways, 1. By her Doctrine; she having divers approved Ministers belonging to her, that she calleth forth to preach and publish the Word of Truth. Hence the Law is said to go forth of Zion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 2. By her holy Discipline. 3. By her godly Example and Conversation: Let your Light so shine before Men, that they may see your good Works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. Mat. 5.16. Walk as the Children of the Light, Eph. 5.8. The Church ought to meet publickly, to make a publick Profession.
II. Candlesticks of Gold are of great Worth, and seldom found but in the Houses of Princes.	II. So the Church is very precious in God's sight:* 1.2 Ye shall be a peculiar Trea∣sure unto me, above all People. Hence they are called his Jewels. This Candlestick only belongs to the Prince of Heaven and Earth; they are Christ's Churches.

III. Those Golden Candlesticks had some part of them for Use, and some part for Ornament; there were Knobs and Flowers curiously set upon them.	III. The Church of God is not only of use to hold out the Light of God's Word;* 1.3 but it is also richly adorned with several choice and heavenly Graces, that make it, and every Member thereof, who truly fears God, amiable in Christ's Sight.
IV. The throwing down, or re∣moving of the Candlestick, throw∣eth down and removeth the Light or Candle also.	IV. So when a Church is removed out of its place, the Light of God's Word is many times removed from a Nation or People likewise; which severe Judgment hath befallen the People of Asia long ago, by God's taking away or removing those seven famous Golden Candlesticks, or Churches, that once were there.

Inference.

LEt the Saints and People of God take heed how they walk before Him: It be∣hoves them to strive to recover themselves from whence they are fallen, lest He remove their Candlestick out of its place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Tim. 3.17. Exercit. Divin. Exer. 9. Way to the true Church, p. 80. Gurs. The∣ol. part 2. Col. 324.
• * 1.2

  Exod. 19.5, 6. Mal. 3.17.
• * 1.3

  1 Pet. 3.3, 4.