A01956:793
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.
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.
The suddennes encreaseth the misery. The rich man hath no time to dispose his goods, how shall he doe with his soule? If in his health, wealth, peace, strength; succoured ⟨p. 330⟩with all the helps of nature, of opportunity, preaching of the Gospell, counsell of ministers, comfort of friends, he would not worke out his saluation: what shall hee doe when extreame pangs deny capablenesse to receiue them, and shortnesse of his time preuents their approaching to him? He hath a huge bottome of sinne to vnrauell by repentance, which he hath beene many years winding vp by disobedience: now a great worke, and a little time doe not well agree. This sudden call is fearefull, This night shall thy soule be required. Yet before I part from this point, let me giue you two notes.
1. There is mercy in God, that it is hac nocte, this night; not this hour, not this moment. Hac nocte was suddaine, but hoc momento had been more sudden; and that this larger exhibition of time is allowed, was Gods mere mercy, against the worldlings merit. He that spared Nineveh many forties of years, will yet allow her forty days. He that forbore this wretch many days, receiving