A01956:399
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.
Fear replies, What messenger? Darkness is on the face of the world: our walls are begirt with an armed troupe; which are not only strong as Lyons, but also watchful as Dragons. What messenger can either scape through such an host, or find the way into so remote a Country? Wisdom calls for Hope, and chargeth her with all speed to dispatch away her old messenger: Hope calls to Prayer, and says, Lo here a messenger speedy, ready, trusty, knowing the way. Ready; you can not sooner call her then she comes. Speedy; she flies faster then Eagles, as fast as Angels. Trusty; what embassage soever you put in her tongue, she delivers with faithful secrecy. She knows the way to the Court of Mercy; and she will never faint till she come to the chamber of the royal Presence.
Feare replies, What messenger? Darkenesse is on the face of the world: our walls are begirt with an armed troupe; which are not onely strong as Lyons, but also watchfull as Dragons. What messenger can eyther scape through such an hoast, or finde the way into so remote a Countrey? Wisedome calls for Hope, and chargeth her with all speed to dispatch away her olde messenger: Hope calls to Prayer, and sayes, Lo heere a messenger speedy, ready, trusty, knowing the way. Ready; you can not sooner call her then she comes. Speedy; shee flies faster then Eagles, as fast as Angels. Trusty; what embassage soeuer you put in her tongue, shee deliuers with faithfull secrecie. She knowes the way to the Court of Mercie; and shee will neuer faint till shee come to the chamber of the royall Presence.
Prayer hath her message, away she flies, borne on the sure and swift wings of faith and zeal: Wisdom having given her a charge, and Hope a blessing. Finding the gate shut, she knocks and cries; Open, ye gates of righteousness, and be ye open ye everlasting doors of glory: that I may enter, and deliver to the King of Jerusalem my petition. Jesus Christ hears her knock, opens the gate of mercy, attends ⟨p. 187⟩her suite, promiseth her infallible comfort and redress.
Prayer hath her message, away she flies, borne on the sure and swift wings of faith and zeale: Wisedome hauing giuen her a charge, and Hope a blessing. Finding the gate shut, she knockes and cryes; Open, ye gates of righteousnes, and be ye open ye euerlasting dores of glory: that I may enter, and deliuer to the King of Ierusalem my petition. Iesus Christ heares her knock, opens the gate of mercy, attends