A01956:327
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.
Hereupon some wicked Libertine may offer to rub his filthiness upon Gods purity; and to plead an authentical derivation of all his villainy against the Saints from the Lords warrant: He caused it. We answer to the justification of Truth it self, that God doth ordain and order every persecution, that striketh his children; without any allowance to the instrument that gives the blow. God works in the same action with others, not after the same manner. In the affliction of Job were three Agents: God, Satan, and the Sabeans. The Devil works on his body, the Sabeans on his goods: yet Job confesseth a third party. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Here Oppressors trample on the godly, and God is said to cause it. He causeth affliction for trial: (so ver. 10. and 11. Thou ⟨p. 163⟩hast tried us, &c.) they work it for malice: neither can God be accused, nor they excused.
Heereupon some wicked Libertine may offer to rubbe his filthinesse vpon Gods purity; and to plead an authenticall deriuation of all his villany against the Saints from the Lords warrant: He caused it. Wee answere to the iustification of Truth it selfe, that God doth ordaine and order euery persecution, that striketh his children; without any allowance to the instrument that giues the blow. God workes in the same action with others, not after the same manner. In the affliction of Iob were three Agents: God, Satan, and the Sabeans. The Diuell works on his body, the Sabeans on his goods: yet Iob confesseth a third party. The Lord giues, and the Lord takes away. Here Oppressors trample on the godly, and God is said to cause it. He causeth affliction for triall: (so ver. 10. and 11. Thou ⟨p. 163⟩hast tried vs, &c.) they vvorke it for malice: neither can God be accused, nor they excused.
In a sinful action there be two things: the Material, and the Formal part: which we commonly distinguish into the act and defect. The Material part is of GOD; from whom is all Motion: the Formal is from the pravity of the agent. Persecutors could not accuse us maliciously, if GOD gave not motion to their tongues; nor strike us wrongfully, if he denied strength to their hands. Thought, sight, desire, speech, strength, motion are Gods good gifts: to turn all these to his dishonour, is the wicked persons fault.