A01956:683
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.
Of this spiritual eye: enlightened. For this blessing the Apostle prays to the aFather of lights; from whom comes every good and perfect gift: from him, and from him only, comes this grace of Illumination. Mans mind is not only dark, but bdarkness, till the Spirit of knowledge light on him, and lighten him. Though cZedekiah was in Nebuchadnezzars Court, that great Monarch, newly delivered of his monstrous ambition; to whom all the glories and pleasures of the world came a gossiping: yet he saw none of this pomp and magnificence; his eyes were wanting. So blind dSamson among the merry Philistines, saw none of their rich apparel, costly cheer, and glorious triumphs. When the natural man comes into the Temple, among the Congregation of Gods Saints, his soul is not delighted with their prayers, praises, psalms, and service: he sees no comfort, no pleasure, no content in their actions. True, he doth not, he cannot; for his understanding is not enlightened, to see the hope of their calling, and the glorious riches which the Spirit of grace and consolation sheds into them. He sees no whit into the awful Majesty of God, filling all with his glorious presence, and ruling all events with his providence; even disposing evil to his glory. Nothing of the beauty, mercy, pity of his Saviour, sitting at the right hand of his Father: not his Highness being in heaven, nor yet his Nighness to his brethren on earth. Nothing of eMount Zion, the City of the living God, the celestial Jerusalem; not of the company of innumerable Angels; nor of the general assembly, and company of the first borne which are written in Heaven; not of God, the Judge of all; nor of the spirits of just men made perfect; nor of Jesus the Mediator of the new Testament; ⟨p. 289⟩nor the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things then that of Abel.
Of this spirituall eye: enlightned. For this blessing the Apostle prayes to the