A01956:1301
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. 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.
1. A great aduantage is giuen to the enemie. They boast the goodnes of others errours, whilst wee agree not in our truth. They take opportunity to shuffle in their counterfet coine, whiles wee consent not in our gold; I say not so much for the waight or purenes 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 enemie, by giuing him the aduantage. What is this, but to harten their malignant opposition to assault vs, when they spie in the Citie a Breach? Qui vnionem rumpit, vnitatem ruit: Hee that dissolues the vnion of parts, ouerthrowes the vnitie of the whole.
2. Sin by this means steals up: nor is there an advantage given only to our adversaries of Rome, but to our enemies of hell. Wickedness is a crafty thief; which spying a town on fire, and all hands labouring to quench it, takes his advantage of booties; and what others redeem, he steals. Whiles we are busy about this Fire, the devils factors come abroad, like Nicholas ⟨p. 111⟩Clerks, and steal away souls. Whiles so many disagree about Christs descending into •ell, Satan gathers many thither.
2. Sinne by this meanes steales vp: nor is there an aduantage giuen only to our aduersaries of Rome, but to our enemies of hell. Wickednes is a crafty theefe; which spying a towne on fire, and all hands labouring to quench it, takes his aduantage of booties; and what others redeeme, he steales. Whiles we are busie about this Fire, the deuils factors come abroad, like Nicholas