Metaphors, Allegories, Similes, .Types, &c. CONCERNING THE WORLD, TliE LIFE OF MAN, AND THE FOUR LAST THINGS. THE WORLD COMPARED TO A WILDERNESS. Who is this that cometh out of the Wildernefs, leaning upon her Beloved? &c. Cant. iii. 6. and viii. 5· WILDERNE.SS, 1Mf1, 'J'ohu. AWildernefs is properly a wild Place, a Place with– out Shape or Order. Mofes hath this Word, Gm. i. x. to exprefs the Chaos, 'J'he Earth was without Form, and void. x. Metaphorically, it is taken fometimes for AffliCtion, l-lof ii. '4· Rev. xii. 2. For this World, and fo undertlood generally by Expofitors in this and other Places, i.e. for the prtfent State, Ways, Wor!hips, and l'ollutions of the \Vorld, &c. P A R A L L E L ~ I. A Wildernefs is commonly a wafte, wild and barren Place, fome of which are of . a vaft Bignefs: This ·world is of a vaft Bignefs, and very barren of Grace and Hohnefs. ll. A Wildernefs abounds with Briars and Thorns: So doth the World with wicked and ungodly Men, who are compared to Thorns and Briars. Ill. ln a Wildernefs are many wild and devouri.ng Beafh, fo that it is dangerous to dwell in it, or.pafs through it: So this World abounds with cruel and unmerciful Men, who are called Wolves, Lions, Bears, Dogs, Dragons, &c. by which means God's Peo– ple are always expofed to great Trouble and Danger, whilft they remain therein. JV. In a Wildernefs a Man may foon loofe his Way, and wander up and down: So whilft Men abide in this World, they are fubjeCI: to go aftray, and wander from the Path of Peace and Righteoufnefs, and therefore have great need of a Guide. V. In a \Vildernefs commonly grow Trees of divers forts, fome good and fome evil: So in the World are Men both good and bad, righteous and wicked. VI. In a howling Wildernefs a Wall of Fire is exceeding necelfary to preferve from wild and ravenous Beafts: God upon this account is faid to be a Wall of Fire w his People, whilft they remain in this World, among the Sons of Belial, Zeth. ii. 5.· Vll. In a Wildernefs there is no tilling, fowing, nor planting: So in the common :Field of this 'vVorld there grows little or nothing, but what rhe carnal and natural Hearts of Sinners bring forth. VIII. AWildernefs is a folimy and dolefome Place: So is this World to a godlyMan. THE w 0 R L D COMPARED TO A FIELD. 'l'he Field is the World, Matt. xiii. 38. P A R A L L E L ~ I. THE Field is a broad Piece: So is the World. 11. In a Field grows Whtat and Tares, good and evil Seed: So in this World there
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