A01956:330
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.
The covetous Extortioner taketh away the goods of his neighbour; that robber spoileth. He could have no tongue to plead, nor wit to circumvent, nor hands to carry away, without God: from him he hath those creatures, that notion and motion. But to pervert all these to damnify others, and to damn himself, ariseth from his own avarous and rancorous pravity. His intent is wicked; yet not without Gods wisdom to raise profit from it. Perhaps the oppressed had too good a liking to the ⟨p. 164⟩World, and began to admit a little confidence in their wealth: the Lord hath benefited them, in taking away these snares, to save their souls.
The couetous Extortioner taketh away the goods of his neighbour; that robber spoyleth. He could haue no tongue to plead, nor wit to circumuent, nor hands to carry away, without God: from him hee hath those creatures, that notion and motion. But to peruert all these to damnifie others, and to damne himselfe, ariseth from his owne auarous and rancorous prauity. His intent is wicked; yet not without Gods wisedom to raise profit from it. Perhaps the oppressed had too good a liking to the ⟨p. 164⟩World, and beganne to admit a little confidence in their wealth: the Lord hath benefited them, in taking away these snares, to saue their soules.
Yet without toleration, countenance, or help to the wicked. The Usurer hath done thee good: by making thee poor in purse, helped thee to the riches of grace; yet he goes to hell for his labour. They that do GOD service against their wills, shall have but shrewd wages. It cannot be denied, but the devil did God service; in trying Job, winnowing Peter, buffeting Paul, executing Judas: yet shall not all this ease the least torment of his damnation. For trial here, are these oppressors suffered to ride over the godly's heads, and to drive them through fire and water: when these have like furnaces, purged them from dross & corruption, themselves shall be burnt. For it is usual with God, when he hath done beating his children, to throw the rod into the fire. Babylon a long time shall be the Lords Hammer to bruise the Nations, at last it self shall be bruised. Judas did an act, that redounds to Gods eternal honour, and our blessed salvation, yet was his wages the gallows. All these hammers, axes, rods, saws, swords, instruments, when they have done those offices they never meant, shall for those they have meant, be thrown to confusion.