A01956:125
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.
First for imitation; there are three things specially to be observed in Angels: Pureness of substance, Readiness of obedience, Fervour of Charity. These are covertly implied from Psal. 104. He maketh his Angels spirits, his ministers 1a flaming fire. Spirits, there is the Purity of their substance: ministers, there's the Readiness of their obedience: Flame of fire, there's the heat of their Charity. Thus were the Cherubims of the Tabernacle made, figuring these three virtues in the Angels. Exod. 25. First, they were made of Pure gold. ver. 18. This shows the excellency of their substance, for gold is the purest and best of metals. To this Gods own Word is compared: aWe will make thee borders of gold, with studs of silver. Secondly, they had two wings stretched out, to witness Promptitudinem ⟨p. 49⟩obedientiae; bGabriel did fly swiftly. Of all creatures the winged are the swiftest. cO that I had wings like a Dove, then would I fly away, and be at rest. The most suddenly transient thing, riches is compared to a winged creature: dRiches makes it self wings like an Eagle. Thirdly, they were made with their faces one towards another, to manifest the truth of their love; not like proud men turning away their countenance from their brethren. Lastly, though one were toward another, yet both toward the Mercy-seat: beholding him in sight, to whom they were beholden in duty.
First for imitation; there are three things specially to be obserued in Angels: Purenesse of substance, Readines of obedience, Feruour of Charitie. These are couertly implied from Psal. 104. He maketh his Angels spirits, his ministers