A01956:1318
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. He poisons some hearts with heretical points of doctrine; which being lightly most pleasing to the flesh, are drunk with thirsty attention. Heresy is (thus defined) humanosensu electa, Scripturae sacrae contraria, palam docta, pertinaciter defensa: begot of mans brain, contrary to the holy Scriptures, openly taught, and peremptorily defended. By this, so far as the flesh in man prevails against the Spirit, Satan prevails against the truth. So that if they must needs have any of the pure gold of Gods word, it shall be so sophisticated, ⟨p. 118⟩adulterate, and mingled with the dross of humane Traditions, that they shall not be able to perceive or receive it.
1. He poysons some hearts with hereticall poynts of doctrine; which being lightly most pleasing to the flesh, are drunke with thirstie attention. Heresie is (thus defined) humanosensu electa, Scripturae sacrae contraria, palam docta, pertinaciter defensa: begot of mans braine, contrary to the holy Scriptures, openly taught, and peremptorily defended. By this, so farre as the flesh in man preuailes against the Spirit, Sathan preuailes against the truth. So that if they must needs haue any of the pure gold of Gods word, it shall be so sophisticated, ⟨p. 118⟩adulterate, and mingled with the drosse of humane Traditions, that they shall not be able to perceiue or receiue it.
2. Those whom he cannot corrupt against truth, he incenseth against peace. Division shall accomplish that mischief, which error failed in. Whom he cannot transport to Rome, he ferries over to Amsterdam. He will either keep men on this side the truth, or send them beyond it. Error on the right hand shall cast away souls, if error on the left cannot. Some run so far from Babylon, that they will not keep near Jerusalem: as men that run so eagerly from a Lyon, that they refuge themselves in the hole of a Serpent. The Schismatic meets with the Romanist, in superstition another way. Thus Quibus nequit tollere veritatem, negat permittere unitatem: It he cannot deprive us of truth, he will not permit us peace.