A01956:1663
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.
Wealth is like a bird: it hops all day from man to man, as that doth from tree to tree; and none can say, where it will roost or rest at night. It is like a vagrant fellow, which because he is big boned & able to work, a man takes in a doors, and cherisheth; and perhaps for a while he takes pains: but when he spies opportunity, the fugitive servant is gone, and takes away more with him then all his service came to. The world may seem to stand thee in some stead for a season, but at last it irrevocably runs away, and carries with it thy joys; thy gods, as Rachel stole Labans Idols: thy peace and content of heart goes with it, and thou art left desperate.
Wealth is like a bird: it hops all day from man to man, as that doth from tree to tree; and none can say, where it will roust or rest at night. It is like a vagrant fellow, which because he is big boned & able to worke, a man takes in a dores, and cherisheth; and perhaps for a while he takes paines: but when he spies opportunity, the fugitiue seruant is gone, and takes away more with him then all his seruice came to. The world may seeme to stand thee in some stead for a season, but at last it irreuocably runs away, and carries with it thy ioyes; thy gods, as Rachell stole Labans Idoles: thy peace and content of heart goes with it, and thou art left desperate.
You see how quickly riches cease to be the same: and can any other earthly thing boast more stability? Honour must put off the robes when the play is done: make it never so glorious a show on this worlds stage, it hath but a short part to act. A great name of worldly glory is but like a peal rung on the bells: the Common people are the clappers: the rope that moves them is popularity: if you once let go your hold & leave pulling, the clapper lies still, and farewell honour. Strength, though like rJeroboam, it put forth the arm of oppression, shall soon fall down withered. Beauty ⟨p. 234⟩is like an Almanac: if it last a year, 'tis well. Pleasure like lightning: ritur, moritur: sweet, but short: a flash and away.