A01956:244
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.
Now this book is the Touchstone or trial of our works: whatsoever we have either thought, said, or done; is either with or against this Law of God. How we wrangle here to justify many things, which there will not abide the trial? How many arguments doth a contentious man produce, to countenance his wrangling Law-suites? Defensio juris, Intentio legis, retardatio iniuriarum. The defending of his right, the purpose of the Law, the keeping back of injuries; forbear one wrong, and provoke more: and Correctio iniustorum, the punishing of evil doers: and be not these smooth colours? who can now say, Peccasti in litigando? thou hast done ill in going to law? but still we reckon without our Host: thou thinkest thy penny good silver, as the fool thought his pebble a diamond: bring it to the test. aThere is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. ⟨p. 117⟩Whether vvill God judge thee according to thine own humour, or according to this precept? Alas he vvill then try thee Secundum legem suam, non secundum legem tuam; after his law, not after thy lust. It is opus carnis, and will not abide tentationem ignis. bContention, strife, variance, are works of the flesh: & they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Hell fire will confute all reasons.
Now this booke is the Touchstone or tryall of our workes: whatsoeuer wee haue eyther thought, said, or done; is eyther with or against this Law of God. How we wrangle heere to iustifie many things, which there will not abide the tryall? How many arguments doth a contentious man produce, to countenance his wrangling Law-suites? Defensio iuris, Intentio legis, retardatio iniuriarum. The defending of his right, the purpose of the Law, the keeping backe of iniuries; forbeare one wrong, and prouoke more: and Correctio iniustorum, the punishing of euill doers: and be not these smooth colours? who can now say, Peccasti in litigando? thou hast done ill in going to law? but still we reckon vvithout our Oast: thou thinkest thy penny good siluer, as the foole thought his peble a diamond: bring it to the test. aThere is vtterly a fault among you, because ye goe to law one with another.