A01956:1801
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.
5. Lastly, if God gives to some men Honour, it is then manifest that God allows difference of persons. He ordains some to rule and others to obey: some masters, others servants; he setteth some up on high, ⟨p. 277⟩and placeth others in a low degree. To repine at others greatness and our own meanness, is to cavil with God; as if he wanted wisdom and equity in disposing these inferior conditions. It is a savage and popular humour, to malign and inveigh against men in eminent places. That rhyme, When Adam delved, and Eve span, Who was then a Gentleman? seems to be made among Jack Straws followers, and to savour of Rebellious discontent. God allows no man to vilify, where he hath honoured: no scurrilous Libels disgracing those that live, yea disparaging the very dead; shall pass the Court of Gods Justice uncensured. Where the Lord confers and confirms Honour, woe to the tongue that shall traduce it. This second point hath held us long, the brevity of the rest shall ease it.
5. Lastly, if God giues to some men Honour, it is then manifest that God allowes difference of persons. He ordaines some to rule and others to obey: some masters, others seruants; he setteth some vp on high, ⟨p. 277⟩and placeth others in a low degree. To repine at others greatnesse and our owne meannesse, is to cauill with God; as if hee wanted wisedome and equitie in disposing these inferiour conditions. It is a sauage and popular humour, to maligne and inveigh against men in eminent places. That rhyme, When Adam delued, and Eue span, Who was then a Gentleman? seemes to bee made among Iacke Strawes followers, and to sauour of Rebellious discontent. God allowes no man to vilefie, where hee hath honoured: no scurrilous Libelles disgracing those that liue, yea disparaging the very dead; shall passe the Court of Gods Iustice vncensured. Where the Lord conferres and confirmes Honour, woe to the tongue that shall traduce it. This second poynt hath held vs long, the breuitie of the rest shall ease it.