A01956:265
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.
In regard of the act, the thing they distribute and contribute, is not bare words, but actual mercies; food, clothing, &c. This is the effect of a true faith, not a verbal, but a real working faith. A faith, not like that the Psalmist seems to mention, (though in another sense) I believed, & ideo locutus sum, and therefore I spake: but such as the Apostle speaks of; I believed, & ideo operatus sum, and therefore I wrought a faith working by love. It is easy to mistake Saint Paul, Rom. 14. 22. Hast thou faith? have it to thy self before God. unless we expound him by S. James, Jam. 2. 18. Hast thou faith? show thy faith by thy works. If we vvill be the children of Abraham, qwho is the Father of them that believe: we must be so by Sarah, who is the mother of rthem that obey. They that vvill be trees of righteousness in Gods garden, must not be ⟨p. 128⟩like the fig-tree in the Gospel, that had only leaves, no fruit: but like the stree that brings forth her fruit in due season. Or like Aaron's rod, that of a dead stick, having life and sap put into it; presently bare Almonds; fruit, no leaves spoken of.
In regard of the act, the thing they distribute and contribute, is not bare vvords, but actuall mercies; food, clothing, &c. This is the effect of a true faith, not a verball, but a reall working faith. A faith, not like that the Psalmist seemes to mention, (though in another sense) I belieued, & ideo locutus sum, and therefore I spake: but such as the Apostle speakes of; I belieued, & ideo operatus sum, and therefore I wrought a faith working by loue. It is easie to mistake Saint Paul, Rom. 14. 22. Hast thou faith? haue it to thy selfe before God. vnlesse vve expound him by S. Iames, Iam. 2. 18. Hast thou faith? shew thy faith by thy workes. If vve vvill be the children of Abraham,