A02771:59
The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Cross the fifth of August. 1624. By…The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse the fifth of August. 1624. By…
The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Cross the fifth of August. 1624. By Tho. Adams.The temple A sermon preached at Pauls Crosse the fifth of August. 1624. By Tho. Adams.
London: printed by A. Mathewes for John Grismand, 1624London: printed by A. Mathewes for Iohn Grismand, 1624
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.
Jdols.
Every device of man in the service of God is a mere Idol. Whatsoever we invent out of Gods School, or substitute in Gods room, is to us an Idol. Howsoever we flatter our selves, with reflecting all the honour on God, yet he will reflect the vengeance on us. 1Shall a man speak deceitfully for God, or tell a lye for his glory? He is not so penurious of means to honour himself, as to be beholding to us for a lye. The doctrine of universal grace seems to make much for Gods glory, but himself says it is a lye; for he will have mercy on whom he will have ⟨p. 42⟩mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. To say that Christ in the womb wrought many miracles, hath a fair show of honouring him; but who can say it is not a lye? Sure, we read no such matter. To distribute among the Saints departed several Offices; as one to have the charge of women in child-bed, another to be the Patron of such a City or Country; (to omit their protection of beasts, one for hogs, another for horses) seems to honour God in thus honouring them: but it is a lye, and a plain derogation to his universal providence: yea as absurd, as if the flies should take upon them to give the charges and offices of this kingdom. To say, the Saints in heaven know the occurrents of this nether world, and the condition of their ancient friends or children below, reading them in the Deity, as by the reflection of a glass; this is a fiction that carries a show of honouring God: but it doth indeed dishonour him, by making creatures as omniscient as their Maker. Besides, how absurd is it to say, that John in Patmos seeing Christ, did see all that Christ saw. If I standing on the ground, see a man on the top of a high Turret, do I see all that he seeth. If the sight of him that looketh, be to be measured by the sight of him on whom he looketh; it will follow that he which looketh on a blind man, should see nothing at all. And who seeth not the blindness of this consequence?
Euery deuice of man in the seruice of God is a meere Idol. Whatsoeuer we inuent out of Gods Schoole, or substitute in Gods roome, is to vs an Idol. Howsoeuer we flatter our selues, with reflecting all the honour on God, yet hee will reflect the vengeance on vs.