A01956:524
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.
They were the Churches, why are they not? Plead what you will, God hath a grievous Quare impedit against you. You say, they were taken away from idle drones, and fat bellied Monks. So Rapiuntur ab ind•gnis, […] à dignis. From the unworthy they were taken, and from the worthy they are detained. But to whom are they given? Possidebant P•pistae, possident Rapistae. Those kept some good hospitality with them, these keep none. So that as cComin•us observes upon the battle of Montlch•y: some lost their livings for running away; and they were given to those that ran ten mile further. Idleness lost, and oppression hath gained. But let me say with the Psalmist, Psalm. 11. dThe foundations are cast down: but what hath the righteous done? The foundations of the Church, which should hold up the Gospel, tenths & maintenance, are cast down, because of superstitious abusers; but what hath the righteous done, that these things should be taken from them? eA Bishop coming to a Town, because the Bells rang not, suspended the Organs. A strange kind of revenge, because the Bells rang not in the Steeple, to suspend the Organs in the Quire. So because those Bells, not of Aaron, but of Antichrist, did not ring to Gods glory: you have suspended the Organs and means of living from them that take pains; and in your own consciences preach to you the sincere Gospel of Christ. But be not deceived, God is not mocked.
They were the Churches, why are they not? Plead what you will, God hath a grieuous Quare impedit against you. You say, they were taken away from idle drones, and fatte bellied Monkes. So Rapiuntur ab ind•gnis, 〈…〉 à dignis. From the vnworthy they were taken, and from the worthy they are detained. But to whom are they giuen? Possidebant P•pistae, possident Rapistae. Those kept some good hospitalitie with them, these keepe none. So that as