A01956:504
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.
The moral of it suits full to our present purpose. It is reported of Constantinople, that a terrible Earthquake had over thrown many houses, slain much people. Hereupon the remaining Inhabitants affrighted, fell devoutly to their prayers and vows: privately in their chambers, publicly in their Churches: the poor were relieved, justice administered, their lives much amended. But afterwards when God held his hand, they held their tongues: he forbore plaguing, and they forbore praying: the rod ceased, and their piety withal; they forgot their vows.
The morall of it sutes full to our present purpose. It is reported of Constantinople, that a terrible Earthquake had ouer throwne many houses, slaine much people. Hereupon the remaining Inhabitants affrighted, fel deuoutly to their prayers and vowes: priuately in their chambers, publikely in their Churches: the poore were relieued, iustice administred, their liues much amended. But afterwards when God held his hand, they held their tongues: hee forbore plaguing, and they forbore praying: the rod ceased, and their pietie withall; they forgot their vowes.
When the Lord hath stricken us by famine; in withholding the rain from us; or in pouring down too much too fast upon us: Or by a grievous plague, turning our popular streets into a Desert: we straight grow penitent; Zeal carries up our cries to heaven; we pray, we sigh, we weep. Sorrow sits in our eyes, devotion on our lips, God hath at that time more hearty prayers in an hour, then ordinarily in a year. But as the Poet spake, Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectacula manè.
When the Lord hath striken vs by famine; in withholding the raine frō vs; or in powring down too much too fast vpon vs: Or by a greeuous plague, turning our popular streets into a Desart: we straight growe penitent; Zeale carries vp our cryes to heauen; wee pray, wee sigh, we weepe. Sorrow sits in our eyes, deuotion on our lips, God hath at that time more hearty prayers in an houre, then ordinarily in a yeere. But as the Poet spake, Nocte pluit tota, redeunt spectacula manè.