A01956:907
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
THE BAD LEAVEN: OR, THE CONTAGION OF SIN.THE BAD LEAVEN: OR, THE CONTAGION OF SINNE.
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.
Satan can hold a mans soul in by a little, as a bird that hangs in the net by a claw. Perhaps shame & fear keeps some from eruption into scandalous things: the appearance is vizarded, the affection is not mortified. Like an Eunuch, he doth not beget palpable & gross turpitudes: yet hath a lust, itch, and concupiscence: this little serves the Devils turn. Satan would keep away the light of the Truth from a man; well, he is so seated that he will have it; by knowledge he seems to cast out Satan. Yet if he can but insinuate into his affection, this little cord will pull him in again with ease. Must he lose the Sconce of thy understanding? Let him hold the Citadel of thy desires: this little gate will let him in at his pleasure.
Satan can hold a mans soule in by a little, as a bird that hangs in the net by a claw. Perhaps shame & feare keepes some from eruption into scandalous things: the appearance is vizarded, the affection is not mortified. Like an Eunuch, he doth not beget palpable & grosse turpitudes: yet hath a lust, itch, and concupiscence: this little serues the Deuils turne. Satan would keepe away the light of the Truth from a man; well, he is so seated that hee will haue it; by knowledge he seemes to cast out Satan. Yet if he can but insinuate into his affection, this little cord will pull him in againe with ease. Must he lose the Sconce of thy vnderstanding? Let him hold the Cittadell of thy desires: this little gate will let him in at his pleasure.
I draw to conclusion; let this teach us all to make a scrutiny in our souls, and seriously to repent of this little leaven. Little in quantity, great in quality: little in estimation, powerful in operation. Little in the sight of men, judging, by outward appearance, great in the sight ⟨p. 395⟩of God judging in truth. Lot said of the City of Zoar; pIs it not a little one? and my soul shall live: thou sayest of thy sin; Is it not a little one, and why should my soul die? A little Postern opened, may betray the greatest City. Jonathan tasted but