A01956:1258
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. The Devil in raising seditions and tumults among his own, intends not the destruction, but erection of his kingdom. Perhaps his forces on earth are weakened, but his Territories in hell are replenished: wherein he takes himself to reign most surely. For Satan, during a mans life, knows not certainly, whether he belongs to God, or to him. Predestination is too mystical and secret a book for his condemned eyes to look into; and repentance hath often stepped in betwixt old age and death: frustrating the hopes of Satan. Therefore he hastens a wicked man, with what speed he can, to hell; for till he came within those smoky gates, Satan is not sure of him; he may start out of his clutches. For this cause he precipitates witches with much suddenness to their ends: whom, one would think, he should let live, that they might do more mischief. No; such is his malicious policy, he would be sure of some: and rather take one soul in present, then hazard all on the vain hope of more gains.
2. The Deuill in raising seditions and tumults among his owne, intends not the destruction, but erection of his kingdome. Perhaps his forces on earth are weakned, but his Territories in hell are replenished: wherein he takes himselfe to raigne most surely. For Satan, during a mans life, knowes not certainely, whether he belongs to God, or to him. Predestination is too mysticall and secret a booke for his condemned eyes to looke into; and repentance hath often stepped in betwixt old age and death: frustrating the hopes of Satan. Therefore he hastens a wicked man, with what speed he can, to hell; for till he came within those smoakie gates, Satan is not sure of him; he may start out of his clutches. For this cause he precipitates witches with much suddennesse to their ends: whom, one would thinke, hee should let liue, that they might doe more mischiefe. No; such is his malicious policie, he would be sure of some: and rather take one soule in present, then hazard all on the vaine hope of more gaines.