A01956:1803
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.
4. Lastly observe, that though riches and honour be Gods gifts, yet they are but the gifts of his left hand: therefore it necessarily follows, that every wise man ⟨p. 278⟩will first seek the blessings of the Right. aFirst seek the kingdom of God, and his righteousness: and these things shall be added to you. Godliness is the best Riches, Riches the worst: let us strive for the former without condition: for the other if they fall in our way, let us stoop to take them up: if not, let us never covet them. It is no Wisdom to refuse Gods kindness, that offers wealth: nor piety to scratch for it when God withholds it. When the Lord hath set thee up as high as Haman in the Court of Ahasuerus, or promoted thee to ride with Joseph in the second Chariot of Egypt: were thy stock of Cattle exceeding Jobs; bseven thousand sheep, three thousand Camels, five hundred yoke of Oxen: did thy Wardrobe put down Solomons, and thy cup-board of plate Belshazzars, when the vessels of Gods temple were the ornature. Yet all these are but the gifts of Wisdoms left hand; and the possessors may be under the malediction of God and go down to damnation. If it were true, that sanctior qui ditior, that goods could make a man good, I would not blame mens kissing the left hand, and sucking out Riches and Honour. But alas what antidote against the terror of conscience can be chym'd from gold? What charm is there in brave apparel to keep off the rigour of Sathan? Quod tibi praestat opes, non tibi praestat opem. That which makes thee wealthy, cannot make thee happy.
4. Lastly obserue, that though riches and honour be Gods gifts, yet they are but the gifts of his left hand: therefore it necessarily followes, that euery wise man ⟨p. 278⟩will first seeke the blessings of the Right. aFirst seeke the kingdome of God, and his righteousnes: and these things shall be added to you. Godlinesse is the best Riches, Riches the worst: let vs striue for the former without condition: for the other if they fall in our way, let vs stoope to take them vp: if not, let vs neuer couet them. It is no Wisedome to refuse Gods kindnesse, that offers wealth: nor pietie to scratch for it when God withholds it. When the Lord hath set thee vp as high as Haman in the Court of Ahasuerus, or promoted thee to ride with Ioseph in the second Chariot of Egypt: were thy stocke of Cattell exceeding Iobs;