A01956:367
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 bribe-groping Officer, in what Court soever his dition lies, is an oppressing Rider: they that would have their suites granted, must subject their necks to his feet, and let him ride over them. He confutes the old allegory of Justice, that is usually drawn blind; for he will see to do a Petitioner ease by the light of his angels. Nothing can unlock his lips but a golden key. This Riders horse, like that proud Emperors, must be shod with silver: and the poor man must buy of him, and that at a dear rate, ⟨p. 174⟩his own treading on.
The bribe-groping Officer, in what Court soeuer his dition lies, is an oppressing Rider: they that would haue their suites granted, must subiect their necks to his feete, and let him ride ouer them. He confutes the old allegory of Iustice, that is vsually drawne blind; for he will see to doe a Petitioner ease by the light of his angels. Nothing can vnlocke his lips but a golden key. This Riders horse, like that proud Emperors, must be shod with siluer: and the poore man must buy of him, and that at a deare rate, ⟨p. 174⟩his owne treading on.
I come to him last, whom I have not least cause to think upon, the Church-defrauder; that rides upon a winged horse, as if he would fly to the devil, called Sacrilege. He may appear in the shape of a Protestant, but he is the most absolute Recusant; for he refuseth to pay God his own. He wears the Name of Christ, for the same purpose the Papists wear the Cross; only for a charm. These are the Merchants of souls, the Pirates of Gods Ship the Church, the underminers of Religion; that are still practising trains to blow it up. They will not pay their Levites, their Levites must pay them. They will not part with their Cures, whereof they have the donation, but upon purchase. But it is no wonder if they sell the Cures, that have first sold their souls. The charitable man dreams of building Churches, but starts to think that these men will pull them down again.