A01956:684
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.
What more then a world of happiness doth this mans eye not see! Hereupon we call a mere fool a natural. The worldlings have esteemed, and misnamed Christians Gods fools: but we know them the fools of the world. The greatest Philosopher is but a sot to the weakest Christian: therefore Philosophy (unbaptized with grace) is said to be monoculate, to have but one eye, and that is of natural Reason; a left eye of the soul. But the Christian hath two eyes: the left eye of Reason, whereby he may see into the secrets of nature, as far as the Philosopher: and the right eye of faith, which the other wanting cannot conceive the mystery of godliness. This fmystery to him, is but like a high candle to a blind man. God only then must give Solomon wisdom; and to his Father, a knowledge above his Teachers. gIf any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. The first Character our forefathers taught us, was Christs Cross. Our first spelling lesson; In the Name of the Father, &c. To teach us, that even all humane knowledge, much more divine, is derived from Gods fountain. There are two reasons, why we must all beg of God for our selves, as Paul did for his Ephesians, this grace of Illumination.
What more then a world of happinesse doth this mans eye not see! Hereupon wee call a meere foole a naturall. The worldlings haue esteemed, and misnamed Christians Gods fooles: but wee know them the fooles of the world. The greatest Philosopher is but a sot to the weakest Christian: therefore Philosophy (vnbaptized vvith grace) is said to be monoculate, to haue but one eye, and that is of naturall Reason; a left eye of the soule. But the Christian hath two eyes: the left eye of Reason, whereby he may see into the secrets of nature, as farre as the Philosopher: and the right eye of faith, which the other wanting cannot conceiue the mystery of godlinesse. This fmysterie to him, is but like a high candle to a blind man. God onely then must giue Salomon wisedome; and to his Father, a knowledge aboue his Teachers. gIf any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God. The first Character our forefathers taught vs, was Christs Crosse. Our first spelling lesson; In the Name of the Father, &c. To teach vs, that euen all humane knowledge, much more diuine, is deriued from Gods fountaine. There are two reasons, why we must all begge of God for our selues, as Paul did for his Ephesians, this grace of Illumination.