A01956:1621
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 Matter.
That they should not return to Herod. Why not to Herod? Because the Lord now lets them see his hypocrisy. For howsoever he pretended. Ver. 8. to come and worship him; yet he intended not seruire, but squire: not to honour him, but to murder him. He calls the Wise men privily, as if he quaked at the propagation of this news, for it came upon him like the pangs of death. He commands them to inquire de infante, not de rege; of the babe, not of the King; for that title galled him to the heart. That I may worship him. Dirum facinus tingit colour pietatis. It is a monstrous wickedness, which he would die in the colours of godliness.
That they should not returne to Herod. Why not to Herod? Because the Lord now lets them see his hypocrisie. For howsoeuer he pretended. Ver. 8. to come and worship him; yet he intended not seruire, but s•uire: not to honour him, but to murder him. He cals the Wisemen priuily, as if hee quaked at the propagation of this newes, for it came vpon him like the pangs of death. He commands them to inquire de infante, not de rege; of the babe, not of the King; for that title galled him to the heart. That I may worship him. Dirum facinus tingit colore pietatis. It is a monstrous wickednesse, which he would die in the colours of godlinesse.
The Lord doth disappoint the purposes of Tyrants: though their Bows be bent, and their swords whetted, yet the mark shall be removed: and they shall rather wound themselves, then their hated object. Though they be igreat with child of iniquity, and conceive mischief, yet they shall bring forth but falsehood. Though those Jews ⟨p. 220⟩