A01956:397
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.
Our patience is our crown, and others conversion. Eusebius from Clement reporteth, that when a wicked accuser had brought S. James to condemnation; seeing his Christian fortitude, he was touched in conscience, confessed himself a Christian, and so was taken to execution with him. Where earnestly beseeching S. James to forgive him, he after a little pause kissed him, and said, Peace be to thee, brother; and they were beheaded together. O blessed Patience! which not only gets honour to our selves, but brings other to salvation; and in all glorifies God.
Our patience is our crowne, and others conuersion. Eusebius from Clement reporteth, that when a wicked accuser had brought S. Iames to condemnation; seeing his Christian fortitude, hee was touched in conscience, confessed himself a Christian, and so was taken to execution with him. Where earnestly beseeching S. Iames to forgiue him, he after a little pawse kissed him, and said, Peace be to thee, brother; and they were beheaded together. O blessed Patience! which not onely gets honour to our selues, but brings other to saluation; and in all glorifies God.
2. Prayer. This was the Apostles refuge in the time of affliction, Act. 4. 24. Bernard in a Fiction doth excellently express this necessity, enforce this duty. He supposeth the kings of Babylon and Jerusalem (by whom he means the world and the Church) to be at war one against the other. During this hostility, a soldier of Jerusalem ⟨p. 186⟩was fled to the Castle of Justice. Siege was laid to this Castle, and a multitude of enemies environed and entrenched it round. There lies near this Soldier a fainthearted coward, called Fear: this speaks nothing but discomfort: and when Hope would step in to speak some courage, Fear thrusts her out of doors. Whilst these two opposites fear and hope stand debating, the Christian Soldier resolves to appeal to the direction of sacred Wisdom; who was chief Councillor to the Captain of the Castle, Justice. Hear Wisdom speak. Dost thou not know, faith she, that the God whom we serve is able to deliver us? Is he not the Lord of hosts? even the Lord