A01956:1979
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.
3. In the next place observe the means how we may come by this assurance. This is discovered in the text: Dic animae; Say unto my Soul. Who must speak? God. To whom must he speak? to the Soul. So that in this assurance God and the Soul must meet. This St. Paul demonstrates: gThe Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. The word is [Greek or Hebrew], contestari, to bear witness together. Neither our spirit alone, nor Gods spirit alone makes this Certificate; but both concurring.
3. In the next place obserue the meanes how we may come by this assurance. This is discouered in the text: Dic animae; Say vnto my Soule. Who must speake? God. To whom must he speake? to the Soule. So that in this assurance God and the Soule must meet. This St. Paul demonstrates: gThe Spirit it selfe beareth witnesse with our spirit, that we are the children of God. The word is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, contestari, to beare witnesse together. Neither our spirit alone, nor Gods spirit alone makes this Certificate; but both concurring.
Not our spirit alone can give this assurance: for mans heart is always evil, often deceitful. At all times evil. hEvery imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually. At some times deceitful. iThe heart is deceitful above all things; and desperately wicked: Who can know it? Non novi animam meam; saith Job.