A01956:1795
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
The second Sermon. › Our selves.The second Sermon. › Our selues.
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.
1. Take it when God sends it, but be not ambitious of it. Indigni est arripere, non accipere honorem. It is an argument of unworthiness to snatch it denied, not to accept it offered. lGod resisteth the proud; opposeth himself in a profest war against him; as if he held a sword against his breast, when he would rise up in glory, to null him fast down to the earth. But he giveth grace to the humble: like a great & good Prince he gives those servants grace and honour, whom he perceives least ambitious of it. Such men seek not for honour, as for a Jewell they would fain find, but only stumble at it, as Saul sought but his Fathers Asses, when he lighted on a Kingdom. Pride like smoke will surge upward, though it vanish into air: massive virtue like gold keeps below, & is more preciously respected.
1. Take it when God sends it, but bee not ambitious of it. Indigni est arripere, non accipere honorem. It is an argument of vnworthinesse to snatch it denyed, not to accept it offered. lGod resisteth the proud; opposeth himselfe in a profest warre against him; as if he held a sword against his brest, when he would rise vp in glory, to n•le him fast downe to the earth. But he giueth grace to the humble: like a great & good Prince he giues those seruants grace and honour, whom hee perceiues least ambitious of it. Such men seeke not for honour, as for a Iewell they would faine find, but onely stumble at it, as Saul sought but his Fathers Asses, when he lighted on a Kingdome. Pride like smoke will surge vpward, though it vanish into aire: massie vertue like gold keeps below, & is more preciously respected.
He that would mount, cares not what attendance he dances at all hours, upon whose stairs he sits