A01956:119
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 their ministry to us. But it is the Lord, xthat ordereth all our steppes: he spreads the gracious wings of his providence over us: and the Lord Jesus Christ is all in all unto us. Now the rule is, Non multiplicanda Entie sine necessitate; and Frustra fit per plura, quod fieri potest per pauciora. It seems then the help of Angels is more then needs. For ahe that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. I answer, that Angelical custody doth not extenuate, but extol Gods goodness and Greatness towards us: for this is but the execution of his high & holy ⟨p. 45⟩Providence. It is the wisdom of the King, that governs all the Cities and Castles in his Dominions: yet he leaves not these unfurnished of men and munition, to withstand the enemies invasion. The devils range and rage against us in every corner, therefore God hath ordained for our guard an Host of Angels. bThe Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. True it is that God is able to defend us himself by himself, through that immediate concourse that he hath in all things. But to show that the Almighty God being tied to no means, doth yet work by means, to uphold the weakness of our natures. A Prince sees his little children besieged, and sends his stronger sons, able soldiers to relieve them. Their help to us is certain, though not visible: we cannot describe it, nor prescribe it, but we feel it in the success: they preserve us. Against the Syrian band, cthe mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire, to defend Elisha. Neither is this all, but to manifest his abundant goodness to mankind. dWhat is man, O Lord, or the son of man, that thou so (guardest and) regardest him? They are dust and vanity, and rottenness, yet the Lord sends his glorious Angels, his Pages of honour, and Princes of his Court, for their messengers and ministers. As if a King should not only give his subject a charter and Patent of safe conduct, but also sends his own guard to attend him. So the Lord honours us with his own guard royal through Jesus Christ.