A01956:1386
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.
There be yet others, whose whole course is every step out of the way to God; who is Love; and they must walk in Love, that come unto him.
There be yet others, whose whole course is euery step out of the way to God; who is Loue; and they must walke in Loue, that come vnto him.
1. There is a path of Lust: they err damnably, that call this the way of Love. They turn a spiritual grace into a carnal vice: and whereas Charity and Chastity are of nearer alliance then sound; these debauched tongues call uncleanness Love. Adultery is a cursed way, though a much coursed way for a whore is the high-way to the Devil.
1. There is a path of Lust: they erre damnably, that call this the way of Loue. They turne a spirituall grace into a carnall vice: and whereas Charitie and Chastity are of nearer allyance then sound; these debauched tongues call vncleanesse Loue. Adulterie is a cursed way, though a much coursed way for a whore is the high-way to the Deuill.
2. There is a path of malice, and they that travel it, are bound for the Enemy. Their evil eye is vexed at Gods goodness: and their hands of desolation would undo his mercies. Other mens health is their sickness, others weal their woe. The Jesuits and their bloody Proselytes are pilgrims in this way. We know by experience the scope of their walks. Their malice was strong, as Savire in saxa; but they would turn Jerusalem in aceruum Lapidum; into a heap of stones. Yea such was their rage: that Nil reliqui fecerunt, ⟨p. 142⟩Ut non ipsis elementis fieret iniuria; they spared not to let the elements know the madness of their violence. They could not draw fire from heaven, (their betters could not do it in the days of Christ on earth) therefore they seek it, they dig it from hell. Flectere cùm nequeunt Superos, Acheronta movebunt. Here was a malicious walking.