A00993:261
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…
A divine herbal together with a forrest of thorns In five sermons. ... By Tho. Adams.A divine herball together with a forrest of thornes In five sermons. ... By Tho. Adams.
London: printed by George Purslowe for John Budge, 1616London: printed by George Purslowe for Iohn Budge, 1616
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
4. Neither do the wicked, only with their thorns and briars, hinder others passage, but even their own. No marvel, if it be so difficult for an ungodly man to get to heaven; for he hedgeth up his own way. Men multiply their transgressions to infinite, and cast up innumerable thorns, yet hope well to be saved. But in vain he purposeth to travel to Jerusalem, that hedgeth up his own passage.1 Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: not of Gods setting, but of their own planting. For (the next words testify) he that keepeth his soul, shall be far from them. There are hindrances enough to heaven, though the wicked make none themselves. The devil will look, that the way shall not be easy. Neither hath God set salvation upon such terms, that we may play and get it. The kingdom of heaven is got by violence: and they must strive, that will pass the narrow gate. Satan hath so many plots and tricks to deceive them; so many tentations, and corruptions ⟨p. 125⟩to oppose them; that they have no cause to fence up the way themselves, against themselves, with a hedge of their own thorns. Heaven-gates will not fall down before men, as the iron-gates of the City to Peter, of their own accord. Nay,2 If the Righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?3
4. Neither doe the wicked, onely with their thorns and bryars, hinder others passage, but euen their owne. No maruell, if it be so difficult for an vngodly man to get to heauen; for hee hedgeth vp his owne way. Men multiply their transgressions to infinite, and cast vp innumerable thornes, yet hope well to be saued. But in vaine he purposeth to trauell to Ierusa•em, that hedgeth vp his owne passage.1 Thornes and snares are in the way of the froward: not of Gods setting, but of their owne planting. For (the next words testifie) hee that keepeth his soule, shall be farre from them. There are hindrances enough to heauen, though the wicked make none themselues. The diuell will looke, that the way shall not bee easie. Neither hath God set saluation vpon such termes, that we may play and get it. The kingdome of heauen is got by violence: and they must striue, that wil passe the narrow gate. Satan hath so many plots and tricks to deceiue them; so many tentations, and corruptions