A divine herbal together with a forrest of thorns In five sermons. ... By…A divine herball together with a forrest of thornes In five sermons. ... By…

But it is unquestionable truth, that God created the thorns and briers on the earth. Some think, because it is said, Gen. 3.¹ in mans punishment, Maledict• esto terra propter te: Cursed be the earth for thy sake. Thorns and Thistles shall it bring forth to thee: that therefore if mankind had not sinned, the ground should have produced no such thing. But the most received opinion, and consonant to truth is; that these Thorns and briers should have been, though man had never fallen: but they should not have been noxious and hurtful to him. Now let us consider what resemblances may be found, betwixt those natural, and these allegorical thorns and briers.

But it is vnquestionable truth, that God created the thornes and bryers on the earth. Some thinke, because it is sayd, Gen. 3.¹ in mans punishment, Maledict• esto terra propter te: Cursed be the earth for thy sake. Thornes and Thistles shall it bring forth to thee: that therefore if mankind had not sinned, the ground should haue produced no such thing. But the most receiued opinion, and consonant to truth is; that these Thornes and bryers should haue been, though man had neuer faln: but they should not haue been noxious and hurtfull to him. Now let vs consider what resemblances may be found, betwixt those naturall, and these allegoricall thornes and bryers.

1. 1G•n. 3. 18.

1 Where is abundance of thorns, there is most commonly a barren ground. For they hinder the happy influence of the heavens, the kindly heat of the sun, the dews of the clouds, and all those working causes of fertility. God prearms Ezekiel, that he should not wonder at the barrenness of Israel,