A01956:149
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. A Church is visible when it flourisheth: not that the faith and secret election of men is seen; but there are apparent signs by frequenting the Sanctuary, and submitting themselves to the Ministry of the Word. Now this visible Church is a mixed company of men professing the faith. I call it mixed, for in it are both believers and hypocrites, corn and tares: it is a band of men, where be some valiant soldiers, and many cowards. It is called a Church from the better, not from the greater part. The ungodly, though they are in the Church, are not of the Church: as the superfluous humours in the veins are not parts of the body, but rather the sickness of it. These profess veram fidem, sed non verè; the true faith, but not truly. Hence it appears, that there be two sorts of members in the Church: members before God, such as beside the outward profession keep a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unfeigned. Members before men, such as have only the colour and husk of Religion, in heart denying the power of godliness: yet these are by us to be esteemed members, according to the rule of charity judging the best.
2. A Church is visible when it flourisheth: not that the faith and secret election of men is seene; but there are apparant signes by frequenting the Sanctuary, and submitting themselues to the Ministery of the Word. Now this visible Church is a mixt company of men professing the faith. I call it mixt, for in it are both beleeuers and hypocrites, corne and tares: it is a band of men, where be some valiant souldiers, and many cowards. It is called a Church from the better, not from the greater part. The vngodly, though they are in the Church, are not of the Church: as the superfluous humours in the veynes are not parts of the body, but rather the sicknesse of it. These professe veram fidem, sed non verè; the true faith, but not truly. Hence it appeares, that there be two sorts of members in the Church: members before God, such as beside the outward profession keepe a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith vnfained. Members before men, such as haue onely the colour and huske of Religion, in heart denying the power of godlinesse: yet these are by vs to be esteemed members, according to the rule of charity iudging the best.