A01956:1295
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.
4. That we esteem not the worse of our Profession, but the better. It is no small comfort, that God thinks thee worthy to suffer for his Name. This was the Apostles joy (not that they were worthy, but) that sthey were counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ. He refused not to be our Saviour for the shame he was put to: he brooked a purple robe to cover his white innocency; his face, which is worshipped by the Angels in heaven, to be spit on; his soul in the midst of all his unutterable pangs, to be derided and jested at; some wagging their heads, others moving their tongues to blasphemy: and if the manner of death could add to his ignominy, he suffered the most opprobrious: yet saith Paul, for our sakes, the endured the Cross, and despised the shame; this, all this shame, that he might bring salvation to us, and us to salvation. And shall we be ashamed of his profession; that was not ashamed of our protection? If we be, we have read his judgement; He will be ashamed of us before his Father in Heaven. The King doth not cast away his Crown, though it be the occasion of many treasons. Loose not thy hope and hold of a royal Inheritance, because this Title hath many enemies. He was never worthy to wear a wreath of victory, that cowardlike ran out of the bloody field. The unthrifty soul is justly starved, that will not reap and gather his corn, because there be thistles amongst it. He never knew ⟨p. 108⟩how precious a metal gold is, that will rather throw away his oar, then take pains at the furnace. It is pity that ever the water of Baptism was spilt upon his face, that forsakes the Standard of Christ, because he hath many enemies. Israel had never gotten that promised Canaan, had they been afraid of the sons of Anak. It is honour enough to be a Christian though others that are contemptible do cast contempt upon it. Our Saviour hath armed us with a sweet prediction. uThese things have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace: in the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
4. That we esteeme not the worse of our Profession, but the better. It is no small comfort, that God thinkes thee worthy to suffer for his Name. This was the Apostles ioy (not that they were worthy, but) that