Man compared to a Flower.
Job 14. He cometh up like a Flower, and is cut down.
Isa. 40.6. All Flesh is Grass, and all the Goodness thereof as the Flower of the Field.
A Man in his best Estate, and in every Estate, is altogether Vanity;* 1.1 so he is in his best Days, and in all his Days, but a Flower, or may be compared to a Flower.
Metaphor. | Parallel. |
A Flower hath a Root, from whence it grows and springs up. | SO all Men have one common Root, from whence they spring up, viz. the first Adam. |
II. A Flower springs up out of the Earth suddenly, and at first is but a tender Bud, fresh and flou∣rishing. | II. So Man springs up like a Flower, and at first is like a tender Bud, fresh and flourishing. |
III. A Flower hath but a little time of continuance; tho some abide longer than others, yet most Flowers last not long. | III. So Man that is born of a Woman is but of few Days,* 1.2 his Time is but short upon the Earth; tho some continue longer than others, yet generally their Days on the Earth are but few, in a com∣parative Sence. |
IV. There are divers Sorts of Flowers; some fair to look upon, very lovely to the Eye, but of an ill Savour. | IV. So there are divers Sorts of Men and Women; some very fair and amiable to the outward Sight, but of an ill and stinking Savour in their Lives and Con∣versations, in the Nostrils of God and all good Men, having no Grace, and are be∣sides of a perverse and crooked Nature. |
V. There are some other Flowers that are not beautiful to the Sight, whose Nature and Virtue is most excellent. | V. So there are some Men and Wo∣men, who tho they are not lovely and beautiful to carnal Eyes, yet are of most sweet and gracious Dispositions, and whose Worth and Excellency is exceeding great.* 1.3 |
VI. Great Care is taken of some choice and rare Flowers; they are prized at a high rate by such as own them, and know their Worth. | VI. So the Saints, who are choice Flowers in God's Esteem, are greatly ca∣red for; He esteems them above what Men esteem of their choicest Flowers; they are his Jewels, and prized by him as his chiefest Treasure; of them he hath said, the World was not worthy.* 1.4 |