A01956:162
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.
Now we have proved and approved the truth of our own Church at home; let us examine whether the Church of Rome be also a true member of this Catholic Assembly. Errors that annihilate a Church, are of two sorts, some weakening, others destroying the foundation. Weakening error is the building of chay and stubble on the foundation: the stubble burnt, their souls may be dsaved. A man breaks down the windows of his house, the house stands though defaced: he pulls down the lead or tiles, the house stands though uncovered: he beats down the walls, the house stands though deformed? he plucks up the foundation, the house falls, and ceaseth to be an house. Those which destroy the foundation, are the overthrowing errors; by them a Church ceaseth to be a Church. Yet if an error be against the foundation, we are to consider the persons; whether they err of malice, or of weakness. If of malice, elike Jannes and Jambres that withstood Moses, resisting the truth; it is no longer a Church. But if of weakness, we must not so peremptorily conclude: for Paul writes to the Galatians as a Church of God, though they were perverted to another doctrine; embracing a fundamental error of Justification by works. The Church of Rome doth wilfully & obstinately destroy the foundation, therefore may be concluded for no Church. If they will be justified by the works of the law, they are fallen from Grace.
Now wee haue proued and approued the truth of our owne Church at home; let vs examine whether the Church of Rome be also a true member of this Catholike Assembly. Errors that annihilate a Church, are of two sorts, some weakening, others destroying the foundation. Weakening error is the building of chay and stubble on the foundation: the stubble burnt, their soules may be dsaued. A man breakes downe the windowes of his house, the house stands though defaced: he puls downe the lead or tiles, the house stands though vncouered: he beats downe the wals, the house stands though deformed? he plucks vp the foundation, the house falls, and ceaseth to be an house. Those which destroy the foundation, are the ouerthrowing errors; by them a Church ceaseth to bee a Church. Yet if an error be against the foundation, we are to consider the persons; whether they erre of malice, or of weaknesse. If of malice,