A01956:109
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.
This is wonderful comfort to us; they are not weak that fight for us. eMichael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his angels; but prevailed not. The Devil hath a raging malice, but no prevailing power. One Angel is too hard for many devils. But against the power of Angels it is objected, that a man prevailed against an Angel. fJacob had power over the Angel, and prevailed. Some had a sottish opinion, that this Angel was the Devil in Esau's likeness, and that by the power of a good Angel Jacob overcame. Now lest he should ascribe the victory to himself and his own strength, the Angel smote him on the thigh, so that he halted. But there is no mention made save of one Angel: he that wrestled with him, was the same that blessed him: he that blessed him, was the same that touched him: a good Angel, for an evil would never have blessed him. But indeed this Angel was the Son of God. 1. Because he blessed him, God blesseth, not Angels. 2. It is said, Gen. 32. 28. that he prevailed with GOD; and verse 30. that he saw God face to face: therefore it was God, not an Angel. Whether it were God or an Angel, you may see the power of faith, that it can prevail with mighty Angels, with almighty God. He that wrestled with Jacob, gave him power to overcome. Seipso fortior est, so God is stronger then himself. He could not prevail because he would not: he disposeth his power according to his will, not his will according to his power. gHaste thee to Zoar, for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. hLet me alone, that I may consume them. As if Lot and Moses could hinder God. Faith & Prayer are manacles to his hands, whereunto he gives victory against himself.
This is wonderfull comfort to vs; they are not weake that fight for vs. eMichael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his angels; but preuailed not. The Deuill hath a raging malice, but no preuailing power. One Angell is too hard for many deuils. But against the power of Angels it is obiected, that a man preuailed against an Angell.