A01956:439
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.
But this Resolution hath a stronger force: it is the effect of a mature and deliberate judgement; wrought by Gods Spirit, grounded on a voluntary devotion; not without true sanctification: though it cannot, without some interposition of time and means, come to perform that act which it intends. It is the harbinger of a holy life: the little cloud, like a mhand, that Elijah's servant saw, pointing to the future showers of devotion.
But this Resolution hath a stronger force: it is the effect of a mature and deliberate iudgement; wrought by Gods Spirit, grounded on a voluntary deuotion; not without true sanctification: though it cannot, without some interposition of time and meanes, come to performe that act which it intends. It is the harbinger of a holy life: the little clowd, like a mhand, that Eliah's seruant saw, pointing to the future showres of deuotion.
Well, this is but the beginning, and you know, many begin, that do not accomplish: but what shall become of them that never begin? If he doth little, that purposeth, ⟨p. 200⟩and performs not: what hope is there of them that vvill not purpose? It is hard to make an Usurer leave his extortion, the unclean his lusts, the swearer his dishallowed speeches: when neither of them saith so much, as I vvill leave them. The habit of godliness is far off, when to vvill is not present: & we despair of their performance, in whom cannot be wrought a purpose.
Well, this is but the beginning, and you know, many beginne, that doe not accomplish: but what shall become of them that neuer begin? If he doth little, that purposeth,