A01956:1033
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ…The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ…
The happiness of the church, or, A description of those spiritual prerogatives wherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations upon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrews : together with certain other meditations and discourses upon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles whereof immediately precede the book : being the sum of diverse sermons preached in S. Gregory's London / by Thomas Adams ...The happines of the church, or, A description of those spirituall prerogatiues vvherewith Christ hath endowed her considered in some contemplations vpon part of the 12. chapter of the Hebrewes : together with certain other meditations and discourses vpon other portions of Holy Scriptures, the titles wherof immediately precede the booke : being the summe of diuerse sermons preached in S. Gregories London / by Thomas Adams ...
London: printed by G.P. for John Grismand, 1619London: printed by G.P. for Iohn Grismand, 1619
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.
2. For the exercise of the godly. For the reprobate do not only fill up the measure of their sins; that so not mbelieving the truth, they might be damned for their unrighteousness; making their condemnation both just and great. But they serve also for instruments to exercise the faith and patience of the Saints. Babylon is a flail to bruise the nations, at last it self shall be threshed. They are but the rubbish, where with the vessels of honour are scoured: the vessel made bright; the scouring stuff is thrown to the dunghill. They are Apothecaries to make us bitter potions, for the recovery of our spiritual health: but so that they cannot put in one dram more then their allowance: and when they come to be paid for their bills, they find the sum total their own vengeance. They are like shepherds dogs, that serve to hunt the lambs of Christ to the sheepfolds of peace, but their teeth are beaten out, that they cannot worry us. Fr•mit lupus, tremit agnus; the wolf rageth, and the Lamb quaketh, but nfear not little flock; he is greater that is with you, then all they that are against you. Illorum malitia, est ve•ra militia: their ⟨p. 10⟩malice is your warfare; but oin all you shall conquer. They shall make you better, not worse. Hence let us learn.
2. For the excercise of the godly. For the reprobate doe not onely fill vp the measure of their sinnes; that so not mbeleeuing the truth, they might be damned for their vnrighteousnes; making their condemnation both iust and great. But they serue also for instruments to exercise the faith and patience of the Saints. Babilon is a flaile to bruise the nations, at last it selfe shall be threshed. They are but the rubbish, where with the vessells of honour are scowred: the vessell made bright; the scowring stuffe is throwne to the dunghill. They are Apothecaries to make vs bitter potions, for the recouerie of our spirituall health: but so that they cannot put in one dramme more then their allowance: and when they come to be payd for their bills, they find the sum totall their owne vengance. They are like shepheards dogges, that serue to hunt the lambes of Christ to the sheepfolds of peace, but their teeth are beaten out, that they cannot worry vs. Frmit lupus, tremit agnus; the wolfe rageth, and the Lambe quaketh, but