A01956:522
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 Apostle saith, Part of all; why then not the tenth part, which God at the first commanded, and custom in all ages commended? That part once assigned of God, should prevent all arbitrary disposing of men. What Landlord leaves it to his Tenant, to pay him what rent he list? If Mammon must set out Gods portion, he is sure to have but a little. It was never well with the Church, since it was at the worlds finding. No man fears to surfeit, whiles he is at his enemies feeding.
The Apostle saith, Part of all; why then not the tenth part, vvhich God at the first commanded, and custome in all ages commended? That part once assigned of God, should preuent all arbitrary disposing of men. What Landlord leaues it to his Tenant, to pay him vvhat rent he list? If Mammon must set out Gods portion, he is sure to haue but a little. It was neuer well with the Church, since it vvas at the worlds finding. No man feares to surfet, whiles he is at his enemies feeding.
I think the purest and precisest Reformers (deformers I should say) of Religion, can hardly order this matter, better then God hath done. Every plummet is not for this sound: nor every line for this level: nor out of many such blocks can a man carve Mercury. The Canon Law says, that Si Princeps causam inter parts audierit, & sententiam dixerit; lex est in omnibus similibus. If the Prince hear a cause betwixt parties, and give a definitive Sentence, ⟨p. 228⟩that is a •aw to decide all controversies of the same nature. But we have the Prince of heavens Sentence for paying of Tithes; before the Law to Abraham, under the Law to the Jews; therefore small reason that it should not hold under the Gospel among Christians. Be not deceived, God, &c.
I thinke the purest and precisest Reformers (deformers I should say) of Religion, can hardly order this matter, better then God hath done. Euery plummet is not for this sound: nor euery line for this leuell: nor out of many such blockes can a man carue Mercurie. The Canon Law saies, that Si Princeps causam inter partes audierit, & sententiam dixerit; lex est in omnibus similibus. If the Prince heare a cause betwixt parties, and giue a definitiue Sentence,