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…

Here is the main difference between the gifts of Gods right hand and of his left. He gives real blessings with the left, but he doth not settle them upon us: he promiseth […] perpetuity; but with the graces of his right he gives assurance of everlastingness. Christ calls Riches the ^criches of deceitfulness: but grace ^dthe better part that shall never be taken away. David compares the wealthy to a flourishing tree that is soon withered: but Faith stablisheth a man like Mount Zion, never to be removed. He that thinks he sits surest in his seat of Riches, let him take heed least he fall. When a great man boasted of his abundance, (saith Paulus Emilius) one of his friends told him, that the anger of God could not long forbear so great prosperity. How many rich Merchants have suddenly lost all! How many Noblemen sold all! How many wealthy heirs spent all! Few Sundays pass over our heads without Collections for Ship-wracks, fires, and other casualties; Demonstrative proofs that prosperity is inconstant, riches casual. And for honour, we read that Bel•sarius an honourable Peer of the Empire, was forced in his old age to beg from door to door, obulum date Bel sario. Frederick a great Emperor was so low brought, that he s•ed to be made but the Sexton of a Church.

Here is the maine difference betweene the gifts of Gods right hand and of his left. He giues reall blessings with the left, but he doth not settle them vpon vs: he promiseth 〈…〉 perpetuitie; but with the graces of his right he giues assurance of euerlastingnes. Christ calles Riches the ^criches of deceitfulnesse: but grace ^dthe better part that shall neuer be taken away. Dauid compares the wealthy to a flourishing tree that is soone withered: but Faith stablisheth a man like Mount Sion, neuer to be remoued. He that thinkes hee sittes surest in his seate of Riches, let him take heed least he fall. When a great man boasted of his abundance, (sayth Paulus Emilius) one of his friends told him, that the anger of God could not long forbeare so great prosperitie. How many rich Marchants haue suddenly lost all! How many Noblemen sold all! How many wealthy heires spent all! Few Sundayes passe ouer our heads without Collections for Ship-wrackes, fires, and other casualties; Demonstratiue proofes that prosperitie is inconstant, riches casuall. And for honour, wee read that Belsarius an honourable Peere of the Empire, was forced in his old age to beg from dore to dore, obulum date Bel sario. Fredericke a great Emperour was so low brought, that he sed to be made but the Sexton of a Church.