A01956:205
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. If the poor be in thy book: and this is reciprocal, then thou art in their book: and the conclusion is infallible, thou art in the book of Life. For the relieved poor by their prayers, xentertain, or make way for thy ⟨p. 94⟩entertainment into everlasting habitations. And Christ at the last day calls them to himself, that have been charitable to his members; Come ye blessed, receive the kingdom prepared for you. Your works have not merited this kingdom, for it was prepared for you: but as that was prepared for you; so your charity hath prepared you for it: Come and take it. Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth: Do thou write it in the dust, the poor will write it in their hearts, GOD finds it in their prayers, their prayers prevail for thy mercy, & mercy writes thy name in heaven. aThy prayers and thy alms are come up for a memorial before God. Therefore Cast thy bread upon the waters, drown it in those watery eyes: it is not lost in that River; like Peter thou throwest in an angle, & bringest up silver; enough to make thee blessed. Via coeli est pauper: si non vis errare, incipe erogare. The poor is the 3high-way to heaven: if thou wouldest not wander in thy journey, show mercy. Non potes habere nisi quòd acceperis: non potes non habere quod dederis. Thou canst have nothing unless thou receive it: thou canst keep nothing unless thou give it. Him that the poor writes not charitable on earth, nor doth God write saveable in heaven.
2. If the poore be in thy booke: and this is reciprocall, then thou art in their booke: and the conclusion is infallible, thou art in the booke of Life. For the relieued poore by their prayers, xentertaine, or make way for thy ⟨p. 94⟩entertainement into euerlasting habitations. And Christ at the last day calls them to himselfe, that haue beene charitable to his members; Come yee blessed, receiue the kingdome prepared for you. Your works haue not merited this kingdome, for it was prepared for you: but as that vvas prepared for you; so your charitie hath prepared you for it: Come and take it. Let not thy left hand knowe vvhat thy right hand doth: Doe thou write it in the dust, the poore will write it in their hearts, GOD findes it in their prayers, their prayers preuaile for thy mercie, & mercy writes thy name in heauen.