A01956:525
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.
Or perhaps you say, you must have these Church-livings for Hospitality's sake, that you may keep the better houses. So you make the Clergy poor, that you may make the poor rich.
Or perhaps you say, you must haue these Church-liuings for Hospitalities sake, that you may keepe the better houses. So you make the Cleargy poore, that you may make the poore rich.
I have read, that the Sophy of Persia, being to send a great sum of money for an offering to Mahomet in Arabia, would send none of his own coin; for that he said was gotten by ill means: but exchanged it with English Merchants, because theirs was gotten honestly, and with a good conscience. So it may be, you think that your own unjust moneys, and extorted comings in by the ruin of your Tenants, is no good offering to GOD. But the Church-mans living comes honestly, and with a good conscience; and therefore you will take that, to offer your sacrifice of alms to God. But herein you come short of the Persian: you do not give your own Lordships and lands in exchange. Yet me thinks, if spiritual livings must be given to the poor, you might suffer the Church to give her own. I could never find either in Albo Praetorum, or in Rubrica Martyrum, how the Laity was deputed to this stewardship. Sure they intrude themselves into this Office, and will be Gods Almoners, whether he will or no. If they will give to the poor; let them give that is theirs. fDona quaerit, non spolia Deus. God expects and respects gifts of thine own, not spoils of others. Be not deceived, God is not mocked.
I haue read, that the Sophy of Persia, beeing to send a great summe of money for an offering to Mahomet in Arabia, would send none of his owne coyne; for that he said was gotten by ill meanes: but exchanged it with English Merchants, because theirs was gotten honestly, and with a good conscience. So it may bee, you thinke that your owne vniust moneys, and extorted commings in by the ruine of your Tenants, is no good offering to GOD. But the Church-mans liuing comes honestly, and with a good conscience; and therefore you will take that, to offer your sacrifice of almes to God. But heerein you come short of the Persian: you doe not giue your owne Lordships and lands in exchange. Yet me thinkes, if spirituall liuings must be giuen to the poore, you might suffer the Church to giue her owne. I could neuer finde eyther in Albo Praetorum, or in Rubrica Martyrum, how the Laity was deputed to this stewardship. Sure they intrude themselues into this Office, and will be Gods Almoners, whether he will or no. If they will giue to the poore; let them giue that is theirs.