A01956:478
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.
2. With Joy. None but a free-will offering is welcome to God. It is a common opinion in the world, that Religion doth dull a mans wits, and deject his spirits: as if mirth and mischief were only sworn brothers. But Gods word teacheth, and a good conscience findeth, that no man can be so joyful, as the faithful: nor is there so merry a land, as the holy Land: no place of joy like the Church. Let the wicked think, that they cannot laugh if they be tied to the Law of Grace, nor be merry if God be in the company. But the Christian knows, there is no true joy, but the good joy: and if this be any where, it is in the Temple. aI was glad when they said unto me: Let us go into the house of the Lord. Indeed therefore we are not merry enough, because we are not enough Christians. ⟨p. 212⟩Can you wish more joy to be received, then that Rom. 14 Peace of conscience, and joy of the holy Ghost? Hilaris cum 2pondere virtus; a joy that can neither be suppressed, nor expressed. Or more joy to be communicated, then Colos. 3. in Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with 3grace in your hearts to the Lord. Think, think, thy God is here. The Angels of heaven rejoice in his glorious presence, and crown it as their chief felicity: and shall not poor man rejoice in his gracious presence; as it were, his most blessed society? yes; the blight of thy Countenance, O Lord, shall put more gladness into our hearts; then into the worldlings their abundance of corn and wine. Cast away then your dullness, and unwillingness of heart; Come merrily and with a joyful soul into the house of God.
2. With Ioy. None but a free-will offering is welcome to God. It is a common opinion in the world, that Religion doth dull a mans wits, and deiect his spirits: as if mirth and mischiefe were onely sworne brothers. But Gods word teacheth, and a good conscience findeth, that no man can be so ioyfull, as the faithfull: nor is there so merry a land, as the holy Land: no place of ioy like the Church. Let the wicked thinke, that they cannot laugh if they be tied to the Law of Grace, nor be merry if God be in the company. But the Christian knowes, there is no true ioy, but the good ioy: and if this be any where, it is in the Temple.