A01956:297
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.
To conclude, he that will wear a crown in heaven, must be all his life on earth preparing the gold to make it. Not that thy own virtues crown thee, but that GOD without thy virtues will never crown thee. The robe of glory that is worn there, must be spun and woven here: spun out of the side of Christ by faith, and embroidered with our good works. That eternal light ariseth from this internal life. hLay up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternal life. The ground work of salvation is made here: that high Tower of glory that is built for thee in heaven, hath the foundation of it laid upon earth.
To conclude, hee that will weare a crowne in heauen, must be all his life on earth preparing the gold to make it. Not that thy owne vertues crowne thee, but that GOD without thy vertues will neuer crowne thee. The robe of glory that is worne there, must be spun and wouen heere: spun out of the side of Christ by faith, and embroydered with our good workes. That eternall light ariseth from this internall life. hLay vp in store for your selues a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold on eternall life. The ground worke of saluation is made here: that high Tower of glory that is built for thee in heauen, hath the foundation of it laid vpon earth.
How should a man be Perfectus, that was never factus, well begun? I wonder what perfection a wine-bibber looks for; sure to be a perfect drunkard. What perfection expects the luxurious prodigal: sure to be a perfect beggar. ⟨p. 147⟩What perfection hopes the covetous Churl; that allows himself a race of fourscore years; and sets God at the latter end of it: and he hath that place too with this condition, that he trouble not his mind about it till the last day comes. Surely to live unblessed, and to die unpitied: but that some now bless God he's gone; and other say, it's pity he died no sooner. All his projections have aimed at this perfection, to make himself a perfect slave. What perfection dreams the Jesuit to himself, but to become a perfect traitor? What perfection is likely to the incontinent adulterer, but to be a perfect Lazar. What the malicious, but a perfect villain: what the proud, but a perfect fool: what the blasphemer, but a perfect Devil?