A01956:269
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.
Here is excellent direction for our works of mercy: that no sinister end draw them from us, but sincere love to Christ. If any fish for the applause of men, his bait shall be his own hook, to snare himselfe. Da Christo; look on the poor man, and in that member behold the Head, Christ. cHe that shall give a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, in the name of a Disciple, he shall in no wise lose his reward. A cup of water is but a small gift, yet done in that Name, and for that cause, it is rewarded, as an excellent work of mercy. It is the true note of a child of God, to show mercy to a Christian, because he is a Christian. Natural men have their private ends, and advantageous respects, in their beneficences. Such a one shall do me service, flatter my addiction, bring intelligences to mine ear; I will make him my property: my charity shall bind him to me. Moral men will sometimes give, even for pities sake: but the true Christian doth it for Christ his sake, and looks no further. dDoing good unto all, especially to them that are of the household of faith. Some think, that the best work is to build Temples and Monasteries: but indeed the best work is to relieve (not the dead, but) the living Temples of Christs mystical Body. It was an ancient complaint; Fulget Ecclesia in parietibus, get in pauperibus. The Church flourisheth in her glorious buildings, but mourneth and pines away in her poor members. Deny not due cost to the dead walls, but first satisfy the living bowels; that Christ may say, Come ye blessed.
Here is excellent direction for our works of mercy: that no sinister end draw them from vs, but syncere loue to Christ. If any fish for the applause of men, his bait shal be his owne hooke, to snare himselfe. Da Christo; looke on the poore man, and in that member behold the Head, Christ. cHe that shall giue a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, in the name of a Disciple, he shall in no wise lose his reward. A cup of water is but a small gift, yet done in that Name, and for that cause, it is rewarded, as an excellent worke of mercy. It is the true note of a child of God, to shew mercy to a Christian, because he is a Christian. Naturall men haue their priuate ends, and aduantagious respects, in their beneficences. Such a one shall doe me seruice, flatter my addiction, bring intelligences to mine eare; I will make him my property: my charity shal bind him to me. Morall men will sometimes giue, euen for pities sake: but the true Christian doth it for Christ his sake, and lookes no further.