A01956:1313
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 The second general fire he kindles, is error and Heresy; a burning river of poison: that Cup of abomination, which he reacheth out to the world in the hand of that great Babylonian Whore. To maintain this fire, he calls Councils, enacts laws, teacheth many Parliaments the promulgation of bloody Statutes: and whereas other laws of Princes (tending to the ruin of iniquity) are ever neglected, those that are made against Christians, have been most severely executed. And least the Devil in this should appear like himself, the Prince of death and darkness; he sits thundering in the Popes mouth like an Angel of light, and so directs him; that under In Dei nomine: Amen; he unmercifully condemneth his brother. So that the usurpation of a divine dispensation, must burn the poor members of Christ at the fiery stakes. Now this fire he kindleth by two malicious courses.
2 The second generall fire he kindles, is error and Heresie; a burning riuer of poyson: that Cup of abomination, which he reacheth out to the world in the hand of that great Babilonian Whore. To maintaine this fire, he cals Councells, enacts lawes, teacheth many Parliaments the promulgation of bloudy Statutes: and wheras other lawes of Princes (tending to the ruine of iniquitie) are euer neglected, those that are made against Christians, haue beene most seuerely executed. And least the Deuill in this should appeare like himselfe, the Prince of death and darknes; heesits thundring in the Popes mouth like an Angell of light, and so directs him; that vnder In Dei nomine: Amen; he vnmercifully condemneth his brother. So that the vsurpation of a diuine dispensation, must burne the poore members of Christ at the fierie stakes. Now this fire he kindleth by two malicious courses.
1. By obscuring the light of the Gospel from mens ⟨p. 116⟩eyes; and heartening their affection to darkness. So that the children of the night have so doted upon Ignorance, that they hate and persecute all the means and messengers of illumination. Shine the Sun never so bright, the Papists will see by nothing but Candlelight. Therefore it may be, they are permitted tapers, torches, and candles, to content their carnal devotion; that they might not spiritually desire the Light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God.