A01956:544
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.
4. A fourth saith; I have many good deeds to weigh with my evils. Indeed I am an Usurer, an Adulterer, a Swearer; but I keep a good house, I give alms; and I will do more when I am dead. Indeed these are good works; Bona accipientibus, non facientibus. Good to the receivers, not to the Givers. So a man may be borne for the good of many, not for his own. They write that the Pyramids of Egypt was built for that great Pharaohs Tomb; but the Red Sea disappointed him. Many think by good works to build up a heaven for themselves, ⟨p. 236⟩but leading unsanctified lives, hell prevents their purpose. And such a man, as robs many hundreds to relieve some, may at last for his charity go to the Devil. The Papists indeed stand extremely for building Abbeys, Colleges for Jesuits, and augmenting the revenues of Monasteries, that Masses and Dirige's may be sung for their souls: they give full absolution to such a man, and seal him a general acquittance of all his sins. They make the besotted Laity, especially some rich Burger believe, that without any more ado, it is impossible for a man to be damned that lives in such a Profession; and which is strange, here they equivocate truly; so long as a man lives in it; but if he dyes in it, there is the danger. But we know▪ the poison must be justified, or else the work is not sanctified. Be not deceived, GOD is not mocked.
4. A fourth saith; I haue many good deeds to weigh with my euils. Indeed I am an Vsurer, an Adulterer, a Swearer; but I keepe a good house, I giue almes; and I will doe more when I am dead. Indeed these are good workes; Bona accipientibus, non facientibus. Good to the receiuers, not to the Giuers. So a man may be borne for the good of many, not for his owne. They write that the Pyramides of Egypt was built for that great Pharaohs Tombe; but the Red Sea disappointed him. Many thinke by good workes to build vp a heauen for themselues, ⟨p. 236⟩but leading vnsanctified liues, hell preuents their purpose. And such a man, as robbes many hundreds to relieue some, may at last for his charity goe to the Deuill. The Papists indeed stand extremely for building Abbies, Colledges for Iesuites, and augmenting the reuenues of Monasteries, that Masses and Dirige's may bee sung for their soules: they giue full absolution to such a man, and seale him a generall acquittance of all his sinnes. They make the besotted Laity, especially some rich Burger belieue, that without any more adoe, it is impossible for a man to bee damned that liues in such a Profession; and which is strange, here they equiuocate truely; so long as a man liues in it; but if he dyes in it, there is the danger. But wee know the poison must be iustified, or else the worke is not sanctified. Be not deceiued, GOD is not mocked.