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

Ministers compared to Trumpeters.

Isa. 58.1. Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet.

Joel 2.1. Blow ye the Trumpet in Zion.

1 Cor. 4.8. If the Trumpet give an uncertain Sound, who shall prepare himself for the Battel?

MInisters may fitly be compared to Trumpeters, as divers worthy Men have observed, from these and some other Texts of Scrip∣ture: They were the Priests of the Lord in the time of the Law, that blew the Trumpets, &c.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Trumpeter ought to have Skill, and be well instructed to blow a Trumpet, before he take upon him that Employ.	SO a Man ought to have much Wis∣dom, and be well-instructed in the Mysteries of the Gospel, and also with the Work, Care, and Office of a Minister, before he take upon him that great Employ. Ministers ought to be experi∣enced Men.
II. A Trumpeter ought to be one that is strong to blow, for that weak and defective Men cannot sound a Trumpet.	II. So Ministers ought to be strong in the Lord, and in the Power of his Might, endued with much of the Spirit, that they may lift up their Voices like a Trumpet.
III. A Trumpeter is called to that Place and Office by the Captain, or chief Commander of the Troop. A Man is not to force himself upon a Troop, and say, I will be your Trumpeter; but must be tried, listed, and orderly entred into that Troop.	III. So every true Minister must have a Call to that Place and Function by Jesus Christ; that is to say, ought to be a Per∣son well-gifted and qualified for the Work, and that in the Judgment of the Church, and there to be chosen and cal∣led forth by them: How shall they preach, except they be sent? A Man,* 1.1 or Member of a Congregation, must not force himself upon a Church or People, and say, I will be your Preacher, I have a Gift, and can serve you; but must be tried by the Church, who is the competent Judg of his Fitness for that Work, and so be orderly admitted.

IV. One or two Trumpeters usu∣ally belong to every Troop of Souldiers.	IV. Every particular Church hath one or more Ministers, or Gospel-Preachers, belonging to it.
V. A Trumpeter is to sound to prepare Men to Battel.	V. So the Gospel is to be preached, to prepare and fit Souls to fight the spiritual Battel, against Sin, Satan, the Flesh, and the World.
VI. A Trumpeter ought to know all the distinct Notes or Sounds he is to sound; sometimes to sound a Call, sometimes an Alarm, some∣times a March, sometimes a Bat∣tel, &c. There are many certain and distinct Sounds, and every Souldier (as we have elsewhere shewed) ought to be well acquain∣ted with it, and to know them all. If the Trumpet give an uncertain Sound, who shall prepare himself to the Battel?	VI. So a Minister is sometimes com∣manded to sound an Alarm:* 1.2 Blow the Trumpet in Zion, sound an Alarm in my holy Mountain. They are to pronounce Wrath and Judgment, to thunder as it were from Mount Sinai, to rouze up the sloth∣ful and secure Sinner, or drouzy Professor; and sometimes a Call to Duty, to assem∣ble the People to fast, and cry mightily unto the Lord: Blow the Trumpet in Zion, sanctify a Fast, call the solemn Assembly,* 1.3 gather the People, sanctify the Congregation, assemble the Elders, gather the Children, and those that suck the Breast, &c.
VII. A Trumpeter, by blowing his Trumpet in the Day of Battel, is of great use to an Army; the sounding of the Trumpet greatly encourages and animates the Hearts of Souldiers.	VII. So a true Minister, by preaching the Gospel, is exceeding useful to God's Church, in the Day of Trial, &c. How doth a lively and an awakening Sermon put Spirit and Courage into the Hearts of Christians, and make them fearless, and valiant for the Truth!
VIII. A Trumpeter usually goes before the Troop of Army, soun∣ding his Trumpet; he is often ex∣posed to Danger.	VIII. So the Ministers of the Gospel should be as He-Goats before the Flock, they are the Leaders of the People: Mi∣nisters are often greatly exposed.
IX. A Trumpeter is to keep sounding all the while an Army is engaged; nay, not only to sound his Trumpet, but to sound it loud also.	IX. So a Minister must preach always, in season, and out of season, whilst the Saints and Church of God are militant. Necessity is laid upon me, and wo is me,* 1.4 if I preach not the Gospel. Yea, and it must be preached publickly.
X. Some Trumpeters have Silver Trumpets; nay, God commanded Moses to make two Silver Trumpets, to call the Assembly; and these were for Eleazar and Ithamar, the two Sons of Aaron.	X.* 1.5 So the Tongue of the Righteous is as choice Silver. Ainsworth, speaking of two Silver Trumpets, that were to be made of beaten Work, Numb. 10. saith, it signifies the Labour of the Ministers, of giving themselves to Prayer, and to the Ministry of the Word;* 1.6 The Words of the Lord are pure Words, as Silver, &c.
XI. A Trumpeter makes some∣times sweet Musick with his Trum∣pet. Many love no Musick, like the rare sounding of a Trumpet.	XI. So a Minister makes sweet Musick sometimes, in preaching of the Gospel in the Ears of Men. And lo,* 1.7 thou art unto them as a very lovely Song, of one that hath a lovely Voice, and can play well on an Instrument.

Inferences.

MInisters must cry aloud, and spare not, they must lift up their Voice like a Trum∣pet: They must be endued with Courage, not fearing the Face of Men, spa∣ring none, but reprove and warn great and rich Men, as well as the Poor.

II. They must be Men of Wisdom, that know how to sound distinctly, rightly di∣viding the Word of Truth, lest by their uncertain Sound great Detriment befall Christ's spiritual Souldiers.

III. Hence let all the Saints magnify God, for that they have, and do yet hear the joyful Sound, by which they have been called to engage in the spiritual Warfare, and thereby animated to a Perseverance in the same to the end.

IV. Also hence may be inferred, That as the Saints are spiritual Souldiers, so it is their great Concern to observe the sounding of these spiritual Trumpeters with the Silver Trumpets, that they may be always ready to make good their Ground in an evil Day: And having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, &c.* 1.8

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 10.
• * 1.2

  Joel 2 1.
• * 1.3

  Joel 2.15, 16.
• * 1.4

  1 Cor. 9.16.
• * 1.5

  Prov. 10.20.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 12.7.
• * 1.7

  Ezek. 33.32.
• * 1.8

  Eph. 6.