A01956:1287
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.
1. That this fire was kindled in Christs time, and hath burned ever since. For if this rage stroke at the head, it will not favour the members. If the saucy Devil durst meddle and encounter with the Captain, he will not fear to set upon a mean soldier. Remember, saith Christ the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater then the Lord: if they have persecuted 1me, they will also persecute you. We cannot expect that immunity, which our Saviour never found. In the securest and most quiet state of the Church we have found this: that sedition hath trod on the heels of peace; and persecution been borne into the world, with the feet forward for hast.
1. That this fire was kindled in Christs time, and hath burned euer since. For if this rage stroke at the head, it will not fauour the members. If the sawcie Deuill durst meddle and incounter with the Captaine, he will not feare to set vpon a meane souldiour. Remember, sayth Christ the word that I sayd vnto you, The seruant is not greater then the Lord: if they haue persecuted 1me, they will also persecute you. We cannot expect that immunitie, which our Sauiour neuer found. In the securest and most quiet state of the Church we haue found this: that sedition hath trode on the heeles of peace; and persecution beene borne into the world, with the feete forward for hast.
2. That the godly must maintain this fire; for there must be in them no deficiency of fuel. They must hold fast integrity, though this be the matter whereupon this fire works. No peace must be had with them, that have no peace with God: I deny not peace in civill affairs, but in conforming our manners to theirs. For righteousness must not yield to iniquity: Christ must be borne, and being borne must reign, though