A01956:719
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.
2. The Spectacle must be objected to the sight: the eye cannot pierce into penetralia terrae, or sublimia coeli: nor can the understanding see into these supernatural joys, unless the Lord object them to it. Hence it is that many neglectfully pass by ([…] lumine lumen) the light, for want of eyes to regard it. But God here produceth the wardrobe of his glory to the sanctified eyes; as if he said, Uenite & videte, Psal. 46. Come, and see. So Moses; 1Stand still, and see the salvation of God. So Christ to his Apostles. It is given to your eyes to see these things, to others but by parables.
2. The Spectacle must be obiected to the sight: the eye cannot pierce into penetralia terrae, or sublimia coeli: nor can the vnderstanding see into these supernaturall ioyes, vnlesse the Lord obiect them to it. Hence it is that many neglectfully passe by (〈…〉 lumine lumen) the light, for want of eyes to regard it. But God here produceth the wardrobe of his glory to the sanctified eyes; as if he said, Uenite & videte, Psal. 46. Come, and see. So Moses; 1Stand still, and see the saluation of God. So Christ to his Apostles. It is giuen to your eyes to see these things, to others but by parables.
3. That there be a proportional distance betwixt the organ and the object: neither too near, nor too far off. A bright thing held too near the sight, confounds it: be it never so bright, if too far off, it cannot discern it. God hath sweetly ordered and compounded this difference. Those everlasting joys are not close by our eyes, lest the glory should swallow us up: for mortal eyes cannot behold immortal things; nor our corruptible sight see steadfastly that eternal splendour. Who can see God, and live? And though you say, it is the soul that sees; yet even this soul, whiles it is prisoned in this muddy veil, or rather Jail, the flesh, hath by reason of the others impotency and passibleness, a thick cloud cast between it self and glory.