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

Saints compared to Merchants.

Mat. 13.45, 46. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Mer∣chant-Man, seeking goodly Pearls, who when he had found one Pearl of great Price, &c.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World.	A True Christian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven; his Affecti∣ons are set upon those Things that are above,* 1.1 where Christ fitteth at the Right∣hand of God.
II. The best and greatest Mer∣chants trade and deal in the richest and choicest Things on Earth, viz. Jewels, Pearls, &c.	II. The true Christian desireth, and seeketh after the Riches of Grace, and Riches of Glory, called Pearls, which are of the greatest Value and Worth, in which he may be most happy. He seeketh for Pearls, but he fixeth most upon the Pearl of greatest Price, Jesus Christ.* 1.2
III. Merchants in their first Tra∣ding are not so skilful in their Mer∣chandize, as they are afterwards, when by commercing with other Merchants, they have found out the true Worth of their Merchan∣dize, and the manner of their Dealings.	III. So the true Christian, when he is first concerned in the Matters of Christi∣anity, is not so skilful as afterward, when he hath by Christian Converse found out the Worth of spiritual Things, and the Deceitfulness of Satan, the World, and his own Heart, together with the Faithfulness of God.
IV. Merchants are most careful of their Concerns, when they have met with some Loss; then they be∣gin to fear they shall be undone, if such Losses encrease upon them.	IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal Concernments, when they have met with some spiritual Losses, and are attended with a holy Fear, lest eternal Ruine should follow.
V. Merchants that deal in preci∣ous Stones, are very careful lest they should be deceived with coun∣terfeit Stones, which are very like the true Ones.	V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should he deceived in his Spiritua∣lities, viz. have a false Faith, a false Re∣pentance, and a false Obedience, and counterfeit Grace, which may be very like the true.

VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries; their chief Con∣cerns come from thence, whereby they grow rich.	VI. True Christians have their chief Concerns from Heaven, whereby they grow spiritually rich. Heaven is called a far Country.* 1.3
VII. Merchants have Correspon∣dents in those Countries to which they trade, who receive their Mer∣chandize which they send, and make Returns of more gainful Things.	VII. The true Christian hath his Cor∣respondent in Heaven, who manageth all his Concerns, viz. Jesus Christ the Righteous; He is their Advocate and In∣tercessor, he appears in Heaven for them, Heb. 9.24. He receives their Duties, and makes Returns of Mercy; He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow, and return the Oil of Joy. Thou puttest my Tears into thy Bottle, &c.
VIII. Merchants are strongly en∣gaged by the Profitableness of their Trade, to follow it very close. O how diligent are Merchants, when they find Riches come in apace up∣on them!	VIII. So should it be with true Chri∣stians; the Gainfulness of Godliness should engage them to follow the hea∣venly Trade more closely, because it hath the Promise of the Life that now is,* 1.4 and that which is to come; for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life; what Time cannot do, Eternity shall.
IX. Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange, where they have an account of their Fo∣reign Affairs, and also an Oppor∣tunity to trade further, either in selling or buying; and they that are negligent in this Matter, do give just cause of Suspicion, that they will soon fail, and cease to be Merchants.	IX. True Christians do make Consci∣ence, and exercise a godly Care in at∣tending the Meetings of the Saints, in their solemn Worshipping of God, whereby they get Understanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven, as managed by Jesus Christ. And there they have the Opportunity to put off spiritual Duties,* 1.5 and receive heavenly Blessings. And such as do neglect this Practice, may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians.
X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts; they are often in their Compting-Houses. They who are wise, will be sure their Books are well kept, and that their Accompts are in good Order, that so they may see a good End of their Af∣fairs, and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof.	X. True Christians are, and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Clo∣set and secret Communion with God, by private Prayer, and Self-Examination, that so they may give their Account up to God with Joy, and not with Grief; and may also enjoy divine Consolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Christianity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Col. 3 1.
• * 1.2

  Mat. 13.46
• * 1.3

  Luke 19.
• * 1.4

  1 Tim. 4.8
• * 1.5

  Heb. 10.25