A01956:154
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.
If this be so, that the truth of the Gospel being professed, believed, obeyed among us, manifest us against all adversaries, to be true members of this General assembly: then two subordinate questions offer themselves collaterally here to be handled. First, whether corrupters of our Truth, and disturbers of our peace are to be tolerated. ⟨p. 63⟩Secondly, whether for some corruptions of doctrine, or vices in manners, it be lawful for any of us, to make separation from us.
If this be so, that the truth of the Gospell being professed, belieued, obeyed among vs, manifest vs against all aduersaries, to be true members of this Generall assembly: then two subordinate questions offer themselues collaterally here to be handled. First, whether corrupters of our Truth, and disturbers of our peace are to bee tolerated. ⟨p. 63⟩Secondly, whether for some corruptions of doctrine, or vices in manners, it be lawfull for any of vs, to make separation from vs.
1. Seditious and pestilent seedsmen of heresies are to be restrained. If a little leaven sour the whole lump, what will a little poison do? If Paul to his kGalatians could not endure Christ and Moses together: how would he to his Corinthians, endure lChrist and Belial together? He sticks not to ingeminate Anathema's to them that preached another Gospel. The Papists cry out against us for persecution: they that shame not to belly the Scriptures, will not blush to belly us. Their prosperity, their riches, their numbers among us, directly prove; that a man may be a Papist in England, and live. But if their religion turn to treason, shall it scape unpunished? A Papist may live, a Traitor may not live. To persuade that a Christian king at the Popes will may, yea must be decrowned or murdered: is this the voice of Religion, or Treason? If this be conscience, there is no villainy: if such an act merit Heaven, let no man fear Hell. I would ask a Papist, whether he be not bound by his religion to execute the Popes doctrinal will: whether if he bid him kill his King, he may refrain from that sacred blood, and not sin. If he refuse treason, he is not constant to his Religion: if he keep his Religion, he must not stick at any act of treason. So that who knows whether this day a mere Papist, may not on the Popes command to morrow be a Traitor?