A01956:1268
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. Contention is like Fire; for both burn so long, as there is any exustible matter to contend against. Only herein it transcends fire: for fire begets not matter, but consumes it; debate begets matter, but not consumes it. For the wicked study cause of contention, as gBenhadad against Ahab 1. king 20. So when the Pope could find no just exception against Frederick the Emperor; he quarrelled with him for holding the wrong stirrup; when the great Prelate should mount his palfrey; and thought he might easily mistake, for Emperors are not used to hold stirrups, yet he was persecuted almost to excommunication, for it. It is woeful dwelling amongst debateful men, whose souls ⟨p. 95⟩hate peace: that are [Greek or Hebrew], hwithout natural affection; which Paul makes a reprobates mark: striking all that stand in their way; and not ceasing to burn, till all matter cease to feed them. Solomon describes such with a fiery comparison. First. ver. 17. he calls him a Busy-body he passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him: 3he thrusts himself into impertinent business; and is like one that taketh a dog by the ears; which he can neither hold, nor well let go. ver. 18. He notes his politic villainy. As a mad-man, who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death; and saith, Am I not in sport? he scattereth abroad mortal mischiefs under the colour of jest. And ver. 20. lest the fire should go out, he administers fuel himself. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out. ver. 21. when he hath kindled this flame, he strives to spread and disperse it; and is as coals to burning coals, and wood to the fire. The words of a tale-bearer are wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. They penetrate and cruciate the most tender and sensible places.
2. Contention is like Fire; for both burne so long, as there is any exustible matter to contend against. Only herein it transcends fire: for fire begets not matter, but consumes it; debate begets matter, but not consumes it. For the wicked study cause of contention, as g