A01956:1040
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.
But that unity which is on earth may be offended, in regard of the parts subiectuall to it. What family hath not complained of distraction? What fraternity not of dissension? What man hath ever been at one with himself? hThere must be divisions, saith Paul: are and must be, by a kind of necessity. But there is a twofold necessity. One absolute and simple: God must be just; a necessity of infallibility. The other exhypothesi, or of consequence; as this, there must be heresies. Satan will be an adversary, man will be proved; a necessity upon presupposition of Satan's malice, & mans wickedness. But woe unto them by whom offences come: we know not the hurt, we bring by our divisions. iThus saith the Lord of Hosts. Zach. 8. Love the truth, and peace. Some love peace well, but they care not for truth. These are secure worldlings: let them alone in their sins, and you would not wish quieter men. Pacem quaerunt, Pietatem fugiunt: they seek peace, but they fly righteousness: as if they would disunite those things which God hath joined together, righteousness and peace. Righteousness and peace shall kiss each other. Others love truth well, but not peace. Let them fabric a Church out of their own brains, or rather a discipline to manage it; and they will keep within verges of the main truth. They cannot be content to have good milk, but they must choose their spoon to eat it with. They are wanton children, and worthy the rod of correction: let them be whipped, only discipline may mend them.
But that vnitie which is on earth may be offended, in regard of the partes subiectuall to it. What familie hath not complained of distraction? What fraternitie not of dissention? What man hath euer beene at one with himselfe? hThere must be diuisions, sayth Paul: are and must be, by a kind of necessitie. But there is a twofolde necessitie. One absolute and simple: God must be iust; a necessitie of infallibilitie. The other exhypothesi, or of consequence; as this, there must be heresies. Satan will be an aduersarie, man will be proued; a necessitie vpon presupposition of Satans malice, & mans wickednesse. But woe vnto them by whom offences come: we know not the hurt, we bring by our diuisions.