Parallels.

SOme Clouds seem as if they had much Water or Rain in them, tho empty: So some false Teachers do seem very like the true and faithful Servants and Ministers of Christ; they in outward Show appear devout, and talk like Saints, pretending to much Humility and Godliness, as if they were the very Men that God had appointed to dispense his Word, and heavenly Truth: But alas! they are but meer empty Clouds, being only filled with airy and unprofitable Notions. Some Clouds (as Pliny observes) are nothing else but meer empty Vapours, and these are often carried very swiftly with the Wind: So False-Teachers are carried away as empty Vapors, with the Wind of Delusion, or false Doctrine.

II. Clouds prevent or hinder Mortals from beholding the glorious shining of the Sun, and tend greatly to darken the Heavens: So False-Teachers obstruct (in a great measure) the glorious Gospel in its Light and Splendor, from shining upon the Souls of Men, and tend to darken the blessed Light of Divine Truths, in a Nation where they abound, and are countenanced.