A01956:1300
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.
Therefore the Apostle so often urgeth it: Be ye all of one mind: have the same affection. As children of one house have most usually one and the same education: so all Gods children must be like affected to God, to Christ, to the Church, and one to another. To God in obedience and piety, to Christ in faith and sincerity, to the Church in peace and unity, to their own sins in hatred and enmity, to one another in love and charity. Employing the graces of God bestowed on us, to the edification and consolation of others: spending our selves, like torches, to give others light. A Christian, though he be the freest man of all, yet he is servant to all: to Christ for himself, to others for Christ: bserve one another in love. Let this affection of unity be increased by considering three inconveniences of dissension.
Therefore the Apostle so often vrgeth it: Be ye all of one minde: haue the same affection. As children of one house haue most vsually one and the same education: so all Gods children must be like affected to God, to Christ, to the Church, and one to another. To God in obedience and pietie, to Christ in faith and synceritie, to the Church in peace and vnitie, to their owne sinnes in hatred and enmitie, to one another in loue and charitie. Employing the graces of God bestowed on vs, to the edification and consolation of others: spending our selues, like torches, to giue others light. A Christian, though he be the freest man of all, yet he is seruant to all: to Christ for himselfe, to others for Christ: bserue one another in loue. Let this affection of vnitie be encreased by considering three inconueniences of dissension.
1. A great advantage is given to the enemy. They boast the goodness of others errors, whilst we agree not in our truth. They take opportunity to shuffle in their counterfeit coin, whiles we consent not in our gold; I say not so much for the weight or pureness of sub stance, as for the fashion. Is it not a shame for the children of God to dissent, when the children of hell are at peace? It is a military principle; Tempt not an enemy, by giving him the advantage. What is this, but to hearten their malignant opposition to assault us, when they spy in the City a Breach? Qui unionem rumpit, unitatem ruit: He that dissolves the union of parts, overthrows the unity of the whole.