A01956:267
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. The reply, or question upon this commendation made by the Saints. Math. 25. 37. Then shall the righteous answer him; Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? &c. This is no denial of that truth Christ hath avouched. But 1. to magnify Christs mercy, who takes these works as done to himself, which are done for his sake. Let no covetous Churl plead, he wants subjects upon whom to exercise his mercy; Pauper ubique jacet: which way can he walk, and not behold one hungry, another thirsty, &c? 2. To testify their humility, that albeit these things are true, yet they acknowledge no merit in them: they have not done so much of these as they ought. Besides, they might have an after-consideration of their sins past; which valued with their good works, they find one to out-weigh a thousand. The Papists ostent their merits on earth, the Saints dare not do so even ready for heaven: but ycast down their crowns before the Throne: saying, Thou, O Lord, art only worthy to receive glory and honour. They have nec boni inopiam, nec in bono superbiam. They are not poor in good works, nor proud of good works. They wrote their charity in the dust, therefore did God write it in Marble. They seem to forget the works of mercy they have done, therefore are they remembered by Jesus Christ.
3. The reply, or question vpon this commendation made by the Saints. Math. 25. 37. Then shall the righteous answere him; Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fedde thee? or thirstie, and gaue thee drinke? &c. This is no deniall of that truth Christ hath auouched. But 1. to magnifie Christs mercy, who takes these workes as done to himselfe, which are done for his sake. Let no couetous Churle plead, he wants subiects vpon whom to exercise his mercy; Pauper vbique iacet: which way can he walke, and not behold one hungry, another thirsty, &c? 2. To testifie their humilitie, that albeit these things are true, yet they acknowledge no merite in them: they haue not done so much of these as they ought. Besides, they might haue an after-consideration of their sinnes past; which valued with their good works, they find one to out-weigh a thousand. The Papists ostent their merits on earth, the Saints dare not doe so euen ready for heauen: but