A01956:1968
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.
2. That the best Saints have desired to make their Salvation sure. David that knew it, yet entreats to know it more. Psal. 41. I know thou favourest me: yet here still, 1Dic anima, Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. A man can never be too sure of his going to heaven. If we purchase an inheritance on earth, we make it as sure, and our tenure as strong, as the brawn of the law, or the brain of Lawyers can devise. We have conveyance, & bonds, and fines; no strength too much. And shall we not be more curious in the settling our eternal inheritance in heaven? Even the best certainty hath often in this thought it self weak Here we find matter of consolation, of Reprehension, of Admonition. Comfort to some, reproof to others, warning to all. 1. Of Consolation. Even David desires better assurance: to keep us from dejection, behold they often think themselves weakest, that are the strongest. Sum Peccatorum maximus, dicit Apostolorum non minimus. He calls himself the Chiefest of sinners, 2that was not the least of Saints. Indeed sometimes ⟨p. 329⟩a dear Saint may want feeling of the spirit of comfort. Grace comes into the soul, as the morning Sun into the world: there is first a dawning, then a mean light, and at last the Sun in his excellent brightness. In a Christian life there is Professio, Profectio, Perfectio. A profession of the name of Christ wrought in our conversion: not the husk of religion, but the sap: a pure heart, a good conscience, and faith unf•ned. Next there is a profection or going forward •n grace; working up our salvation in fear and trembling. Last a perfection or full assurance, that we are sealed up to the day of redemption.
2. That the best Saints haue desired to make their Saluation sure. Dauid that knew it, yet intreats to know it more. Psal. 41. I know thou fauourest me: yet here still, 1