A01956:1383
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. Some have the feet of affections, but they lack eyes; and so cannot descry the true and perfect way of Love. Indeed no man can find it without God kShow me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. For it is he that directs lsinners & wanderers to the way. These want him, that should mLead them by the way that they should go. They think that by building up a ladder of good works, their souls shall on meritorious rounds climb up to heaven. They cannot distinguish between Viam regni, and causamregnandi. They suppose, if they relieve Seminaries, fast Lents, keep their numbered orisons, pro digally sacrifice their bloods in treasons for that Romaine Harlot; this is via dilectionis; the way of Love. So the silly servant, bidden to open the gates, set his shoulders to them, but with all his might could not stir them whereas another comes with the key, & easily unlocks them. These men so confident in their good works, do but set their shoulders to heaven-gates: alas! without comfort: for it is the key of faith that only opens them. These have nimble feet, forward affections, harts workable ⟨p. 140⟩to charity, and would Walk in Love if they had eyes. Therefore Let us pray for them. nCause them to know the way, O Lord, wherein they should walk.
1. Some haue the feet of affections, but they lacke eyes; and so cannot descry the true and perfect way of Loue. Indeed no man can find it without God kShew me thy wayes, O Lord; teach me thy pathes. For it is he that directs lsinners & wandrers to the way. These want him, that should mLeade them by the way that they should goe. They thinke that by building vp a ladder of good workes, their soules shall on meritorious rounds climbe vp to heauen. They cannot distinguish betweene Viam regni, and causamregnandi. They suppose, if they releeue Seminaries, fast Lents, keepe their numbredorisons, pro digally sacrifice their blouds in treasons for that Romaine Harlot; this is via dilectionis; the way of Loue. So the silly seruant, biddē to open the gates, set his shoulders to them, but with all his might could not stir them whereas another comes with the key, & easily vnlocks thē. These men so confidēt in their good workes, do but set their shoulders to heauen-gates: alas! without comfort: for it is the key of faith that only opēs them. These haue nimble feete, forward affections, harts workeable