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 Children.

Rom. 8.17. If Children, then Heirs, &c.

Gal. 3.16. For ye all are the Children of God, by Faith, in Christ Jesus.

Eph. 5.1. Be ye Followers of God, as dear Children.

SAints are God's dear Children, not only Children, but dear Children. Dear Children hath reference to two things: 1. To that high Esteem their Parents have of them; 2. To that gracious and sweet Disposition such Children are of.

Children.	Parallel.
CHildren are begotten of their Parents, and brought forth into this World.	THe Saints are begotten of God: Of his own Will begat he them. Every one that ••••veth him that begat,* 1.1 loveth him also that is begotten of him. They are also brought forth by him into a State of Grace.
II. Children partake of the Na∣ture of their Parents, even of their very Flesh and Bone.	II. The Saints, by their being begot∣ten of God, through Faith, In a mystical sort, are Partakers of the Divine Na∣ture: That which is born of the Spirit,* 1.2 is Spirit.
III. Children are called after the Names of their Parents.	III. So the Saints are called after God's Name, Holy, Heavenly, Godly, &c. Christians, from Christ; Spiritual, from the Spirit.
IV. Children are not in every thing alike, in Stature, Quality, and Condition. Some are gentle, dutiful, and humble, and have a clearer Sight, and more perfect Knowledg than others, yet ought to love one another.	IV. So the Saints of God are not in every thing alike; tho all have Grace, yet not a like measure of it; so tho all see, yet all have not the same degree of Sight and Knowledg in Divine Things. From hence it is that there are so many Diffe∣rences amongst the Godly; but since they are all God's Children, it behoveth them to see that they love one another.
V. Children do not grow alike. Some thrive better upon hard Fare, than others do, who feed upon more choice and delicate Food every day.	V. So some of the Saints thrive, and grow faster in Grace, and in the Know∣ledg of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, (who sit under the Ministry of such Men, whose Preaching is accounted by some but as brown Bread) than others, who are daily fed with the delicate Food of the most acute and elegant Preacher.

Dear Children.

I. A dear Child, one that the Father esteems so, is teachable, rea∣dy to learn what he is taught; he will give his Mind to it, is very flexible.

I. So a dear Child of God is very flexible and yielding to the Teachings of God. If God hath any thing for Abraham to do, he cries, Here am I. They are like holy Job, What I know not, teach thou me.

II. A dear Child is humble and meek, not proud, stubborn, or self-conceited.	II. So a dear Child of God is little in his own Eyes. How humbly did Abra∣ham express himself to God!* 1.3 I who am but Dust and Ashes, &c. and Job, I abhor my self. David cries out, I am a Worm, and no Man. And the holy Apostles esteemed themselves as nothing: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollo? Ʋnto me who am the least of all Saints, &c. I am nothing, &c.
III. A dear Child greatly loves his Father. Many Instances may be given of this, both from Scripture and History.	III. So a dear Child of God dearly loves his heavenly Father, he loves him with all his Soul, with all his Heart, and with all his Strength, loves him sin∣cerely.
IV. A dear Child doth not only love his Father, but also his Mother. and is grieved when she is in distress.	IV. So a dear Child of God doth not only love God, who is his Father, but also dearly loves the Church, who is his Mother. Thus did David,* 1.4 that precious Child and Servant of God: If I forget thee, O Jerusalem,* 1.5 let my Right-hand forget her Cunning; if I I do not remember thee, let my Tongue cleave to the Roof of my Mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief Joy.* 1.6 How greatly was the Prophet Jeremiah troubled for poor Zion, when he cried out, My Bowels, my Bowels! The Church lay near his Heart, he laments like a poor Child, for the Misery of his Mother that bare him.
VI. A dear Child is very obedient to his Parents, will do whatsoever is right, which either Father or Mother doth require.	V. So a dear Child of God is in all things obedient to God's Commands, as is recorded concerning Zacharias and Elizabeth, and many others: They en∣deavour to behave themselves as obedient Children in all respects, will not baulk one of God's holy Precepts:* 1.7 Then shall I not be ashamed, saith David, when I have respect to all thy Commandments. And as they are obedient to God their Father, so likewise to the Church their Mother. As it is a horrid Evil to rebell against God, so such will be left inexcusable who slight the Church. Whatever she requires, that is agreeable to God's Word, must be carefully obeyed; and such as err herein, as disorderly Persons, ought to be proceeded against. See Mother.
VI. A dear Child in all things strives to please his Father, seeking his Approbation, whether at home or abroad, present or absent.	VI. So a dear Child of God strives in all things (like our Saviour) to please his heavenly Farher: Wherefore we labour,* 1.8 that whether present or absent, we may be ac∣cepted of him,* 1.9 — Walking in all well-pleasing, &c.
VII. A dear Child loves Peace, and cannot endure Quarrelling and Discord in his Father's House.	VII. A dear Child of God greatly de∣lights in, and loves Peace and Union amongst his Brethren; and he hates Dis∣cord and Quarrelling in the Church. Blessed are the Peace-makers for they shall be called the Children of God. Behold,* 1.10 saith David, how good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in Ʋnity! Endeavouring to keep the Ʋnity of the Spirit, in the Bond of Peace.
VIII. A dear Child is very ten∣der of his Father's Honour, and is much troubled to hear any speak against him, or any way reproach him.	VIII. So a dear Child of God is sorely troubled, to hear the sacred Name of God reproached and blasphemed, and his holy Laws contemned.* 1.11 Rivers of Waters run down mine Eyes, because Men keep not thy Law. How much were Moses and Joshua concerned for the Honour of God's holy Name!
IX. A dear Child is greatly grie∣ved, when his Father is offended with him, and will endeavour to obtain his Favour again.	IX. So a dear Child of God is grieved, when he hath displeased his heavenly Father: Thou hiddest thy Face,* 1.12 and I was troubled. How did David mourn for his Sin, and strive to obtain the Love and Favour of God again: Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this Evil in thy Sight, &c.

X. A dear Child will not be at undue Times out of his Father's House, but make up his Place there, especially when he knows his Fa∣ther and Mother call for him, and require his Presence.	X. So a precious Saint of God will not be absent from the Church, or hea∣venly Family, at any time when his Pre∣sence is expected there, if it be possible, especially when God calls his People to Prayer and Humiliation, or when sacred Ordinances are administred, or any Work is to be done, which eminently tends to the Glory of God, and the Churches Good.
XI. A dear Child desireth rather to dwell in his Father's House, than in any other place whatsoever.	XI. So a dear Child of God had rather be a Door-keeper in the House of God, than to dwell in the Tents of Wickedness. One thing have I desired of the Lord,* 1.13 and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my Life, &c.
XII. A dear Child will strive to imitate his Father, and walk in his Steps, in all things that are just and right. Thus Solomon was exhorted to follow the good Example of his Father David.	XII. So a dear Saint takes care to follow God: Be ye Followers of God,* 1.14 as dear Children. Be ye holy, for I am holy: That is the Precept, and a sincere Soul labours so to be; it is his great desire to be like God and Christ as near as he can. Be ye Followers of me, as I am of Christ Jesus. 1. A Saint strives to follow God and Christ in Love: We are taught of God to love one another. 2. In Humility. What a Pattern hath God in Christ laid before us herein!* 1.15 Learn of me, saith our Saviour, for I am meek and lowly in Heart, &c. Let the same Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. 3. In being merciful and kind to all. Be ye merciful,* 1.16 as your Father that is in Heaven is merciful. 3. In hating and abominating that which is evil. God loaths Sin, and so doth every sincere Christian. 5. In Forgiveness; they strive to be like God in this. He is ready to pardon, forgive, and forget Injuries done to him, and so ought his Children.* 1.17 And be ye kind one to another, and tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake hath for∣given you. God forgiveth freely, universally, and for ever; so must they.

Inferences.

LAbour to follow God, as dear Children, 1. Sincerely, not in Hypocrisy, not for Loaves. 2. Speedily; do not defer it: I made haste, saith David, &c. 3. In whatsoever he commands you. 4. Diligently. 5. Follow him through all Difficulties and Hardships, as Caleb did, &c. and as Ruth followed Naomi. 6. Follow him hum∣bly. 7. Follow him joyfully. 8. Follow him, when others leave him. 9. Follow him constantly, even to the end. 10. And lastly, follow none but him; forsake all those that would lead you astray. Christ's Sheep will not follow Strangers; they will follow God, and not Baal.

II. From hence every one may perceive, whether they are God's Children, yea or no.

III. This shews also what great Dignity God hath conferred upon Believers. Behold what manner of Love is this God hath bestowed upon us,* 1.18 that we should be called the Sons of God. If David thought it no small thing to be Son in Law to an earthly King, what an Honour hath God conferred on us!

* 1.19IV. Saints may from hence read their Privileges: If Children, then Heirs, Heirs of God, and Joynt-Heirs with Christ.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 John 5.1
• * 1.2

  2 Pet. 1.4.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 18.27. Psal. 22.6. 1 Cor. 3.9.
• * 1.4

  Psal. 137.5, 6.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 137.5, 6.
• * 1.6

  Jer. 4.19.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 119.
• * 1.8

  2 Cor. 5.9.
• * 1.9

  Col. 1.10.
• * 1.10

  Mat. 5.9. Psal. 133.1 Eph. 4.3.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 119.136. Josh. 7.9.
• * 1.12

  Psal 51.4.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 27.4.
• * 1.14

  Eph. 5.1.
• * 1.15

  Mat 11.28 Phil. 2.5, 6
• * 1.16

  Mat. 5.45.48.
• * 1.17

  Eph. 4.34.
• * 1.18

  1 Joh. 3.1, 2
• * 1.19

  Rom. 8.