A01956:1338
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. The Passive Bellows are the godly; for they must have no peace with wickedness; No fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. We must love their persons, 1and pray for them as Christ for his crucifiers. But if they will not be converted, if they cannot be suppressed, we may desire either their conversion or confusion: as God wills none to perish as a creature, but as a sinful creature; not of his own making, but of their own marring. So we must hate not virum, but vitium; reproving and condemning evil works, both by our lips and lives; though our good conversation be the passive Bellows to blow this fire.
1. The Passiue Bellowes are the godly; for they must haue no peace with wickednesse; No fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darkenesse. We must loue their persons, 1and pray for them as Christ for his crucifiers. But if they will not be conuerted, if they cannot be suppressed, we may desire either their conuersion or confusion: as God willes none to perish as a creature, but as a sinfull creature; not of his owne making, but of their owne marring. So we must hate not virum, but vitium; reprouing and condemning euill works, both by our lips and liues; though our good conuersation be the passiue Bellowes to blow this fire.
2. The Active are the wicked; who do profoundly hate the good, in regard of both their actions and their persons. To this their own forwardness is helped by the devils instigation. If thou blow the spark it shall burn: if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and 1