A01956:464
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.
I might here take just cause to tax an error of our times. Many come to these holy places, and are so transported with a desire of hearing, that they forget the fervency of praying and praising God. The End is ever held more noble then the means, that conduce unto it. Sin brought in ignorance, and ignorance takes away devotion. The Word preached brings in knowledge, and knowledge rectifies devotion. So that all our preaching is but to beget your praying, to instruct you to praise and ⟨p. 205⟩worship God. The most immediate & proper service and worship of God, is the end, and hearing but the means to that end. And the rule is true; Semper finis excellit id quod est ad finem: the end ever excels that which leads to the end. bScientia non est qualitas activa, sed principium quo aliquis dirigitur in operando. Knowledge is not an active quality, but only a means to direct a man in working.
I might heere take iust cause to taxe an error of our times. Many come to these holy places, and are so transported with a desire of hearing, that they forget the feruencie of praying and praising God. The End is euer held more noble then the meanes, that conduce vnto it. Sin brought in ignorance, and ignorance takes away deuotion. The Word preached brings in knowledge, and knowledge rectifies deuotion. So that all our preaching is but to beget your praying, to instruct you to praise and ⟨p. 205⟩worship God. The most immediate & proper seruice and worship of God, is the end, and hearing but the meanes to that end. And the rule is true; Semper finis excellit id quod est ad finem: the end euer excells that which leads to the end. bScientia non est qualitas actiua, sed principium quo aliquis dirigitur in operando. Knowledge is not an actiue qualitie, but onely a meanes to direct a man in working.
- bTh. 1. qu. 117 art. 1.