A01956:225
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. Honestas conscientiae, honesty of conscience. The Judge that will be corrupted, dares corrupt the truth. Woeful is that judgement which comes from him, who hath vaen•lem •nimam, a saleable soul. Felix was such a Judge, who ghoped that money should have been given him of Paul. Qui vendit justitiam pro pecuniae, perdit pecuniam cum anima. He that sells justice for money, shall lose mercy and his soul. hYou afflict the just, you take a bribe, and turn aside the poor in the gate from their right. They have built them houses of •ewen stone. ver. 11. How? By bribes. What shall become of them? They shall not dwell in them: for ifire shall consume the Tabernacles of bribery. If any Justicers think so to raise themselves, it is but ut lapsu graviore ⟨p. 105⟩ruant; that they may have the sorer fall. There are certain rich stuffs forbidden by the Statute: but to wear clothes cut out of bribes, and laced with exactions; is specially forbidden by the Statute of heaven. When money can open the lock of Justices door, the worst cause is first heard. This pocket-key is fitted for all doors. One spake unhappily: I have a key in my pocket, saith he, that will pass me in all Countries: he meant his purse. In Italy it can open the door of life: Do you hate a man? for money you may have him pistoled or poisoned. In France it can open the door of love: lust you for such a woman? money makes her your harlot. In Spain it opens the door of Justice: the case shall go on the rich mans side. In England it can open the door of honour; money makes a Gentleman, and reputation swells with the Barnes. In Rome it can open the door of heaven, for they sell Claves, Altari•, Christum; peace, and pardon, and heaven, and Christ himself. Gra•s lacerantur pauperes à pravis Judicibus, 4