A01956:792
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. This night, the sadness is yet increased by the suddenness. It will be fearful, not only to be surprised in the night, but in that night when he doth not dream of any such matter; when there is no fear, nor suspicion of apprehension. His case is, as with a man that having rested with a pleasing slumber, and been fed with a golden dream; suddenly waking finds his house flaming about his ears, his wife and children dying in the fire, robbers ransacking his coffers, and transporting his goods, all lovers forsaking, no friend pitying, when the very thrusting in of an arm might deliver him. This rich man was long asleep, and been delighted with pretty wanton dreams, of enlarged barns, and plentiful harvests; (as all worldly pleasures are but waking dreams) now he starts up on the hearing of this Soul-knell, and perceives all was but a dream; and that indeed he is everlastingly wretched.
2. This night, the sadnesse is yet encreased by the sodainnesse. It will be fearefull, not onely to bee surprised in the night, but in that night when hee doth not dreame of any such matter; when there is no feare, nor suspition of apprehension. His case is, as with a man that hauing rested with a pleasing slumber, and beene fedde with a golden dreame; suddenly waking findes his house flaming about his eares, his wife and children dying in the fire, robbers ransacking his coffers, and transporting his goods, all louers forsaking, no friend pitying, when the very thrusting in of an arme might deliuer him. This rich man was long asleepe, and beene delighted with prety wanton dreames, of enlarged barnes, and plentifull haruests; (as all worldly pleasures are but waking dreames) now he starts vp on the hearing of this Soule-knell, and perceiues all was but a dreame; and that indeed hee is euerlastingly wretched.
The suddenness increaseth the misery. The rich man hath no time to dispose his goods, how shall he do with his soul? If in his health, wealth, peace, strength; succoured ⟨p. 330⟩with all the helps of nature, of opportunity, preaching of the Gospel, counsel of ministers, comfort of friends, he would not work out his salvation: what shall he do when extreme pangs deny capableness to receive them, and shortness of his time prevents their approaching to him? He hath a huge bottom of sin to unravel by repentance, which he hath been many years winding up by disobedience: now a great work, and a little time do not well agree. This sudden call is fearful, This night shall thy soul be required. Yet before I part from this point, let me give you two notes.