A01956:1557
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.
The Grecians have a fabulous reason of this renovation of serpents. Once mankind strove earnestly with the Gods by supplication, for Perpetual youth. It was granted; and the rich treasure being lapped up, was laid upon an Ass to be carried among men. The silly beast being sore thirsty came to a fountain to drink: the keeper of this fountain was a Serpent; who would not suffer the Ass to drink, unless he would give him his burden. The Ass, both ready to faint for thirst, and willing to be lighted of his lode, condescended. Hereby the Serpent got from man perpetual youth. Indeed the serpent changeth his age for youth, and man his youth for age. And the Ass for his punishment, is more tormented with thirst then any other beast. The serpent may thus get the start of a man for this world; but when he dyes, he dies for e•er; life never returns. But we shall put off, not the skin, but this mortal body: and so be clothed with immortality and eternal life above: we shall be young again in heaven.1
The Grecians haue a fabulous reason of this renouation of serpents. Once mankind stroue earnestly with the Gods by supplication, for Perpetuall youth. It was granted; and the rich tr•sure being lapped vp, was layd vpon an Asse to be carried among men. The silly beast being sore thirstie came to a fountaine to drinke: the keeper of this fountaine was a Serpent; who would not suffer the Asse to drinke, vnles hee would giue him his burden. The Asse, both ready to faint for thirst, and willing to be lighted of his lode, condiscended. Hereby the Serpent got from man perpetuall youth. Indeed the serpent changeth his age for youth, and man his youth for age. And the Asse for his punishment, is more tormented with thirst then any other beast. The serpent may thus get the start of a man for this world; but when he dyes, he dies for e•er; life neuer returnes. But wee shall put off, not the skinne, but this mortall body: and so be clothed with im•ortalitie and eternall life aboue: we shall be young againe in heauen.1