A10338:46
The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached…
The prophecy of Obadiah opened and applied in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallows and St Mary's in Oxford by that famous and judicious divine John Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and use of that famous University, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.The prophecie of Obadiah opened and applyed in sundry learned and gracious sermons preached at All-Hallowes and St Maries in Oxford by that famous and iudicious divine Iohn Rainolds D. of Divinity and late president of Corp. Chr. Coll. Published for the honour and vse of that famous Vniversity, and for the benefit of the churches of Christ abroad in the country, by W.H.
Oxford: printed by Joseph Barnes, 1613
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And that, which hath been said of the state of the Papacy, extendeth also to the doctrine. For that in as great arrogance of spirit, they magnify their works, making their nests among the stars, & claiming everlasting glory, as a reward of their deeds. For so the Rhemish 1notes say, that eternal joy is a merit; & least we should not know by those general terms, how basely they think of GODS mercy, how proudly of their own works, they expound themselves, and say, that it is as ⟨p. 23⟩a stipend answering in weight & time to the work. Than 2which, what could be said more grossly, or profane? that the works of man should answer to eternal joy equally in time and weight! as though you should say, that ten thousand pounds were equal in time and weight to his works that had laboured one hour. But I come far below in this comparison, for there is some proportion, between an hours work, and the greatest sum of money, for they be finite; but between the everlasting, endless, and infinite joy of heaven, and mans works, that is between finite, & infinite, there is no proportion. But how could it be, that any men should thus speak, if the spirit of Antichrist, had not thus puffed them up, to utter such blasphemte in the pride of their hearts? But what shall I say? when the same men in their notes on the 8. Rom. grant, that if we look to the time, the joy of heaven is a great deal more, & here forsooth flee they to the grace of GOD: but, they must consider, that grace serveth them not, that they may claim it by desert: for whatsoever good the servants of GOD do, it is by grace; 3yet is it said, when they have done all, that is commanded, they have done but their duty, and that which they owed to the Lord. So that seeing we do, but our duty, there is not owing to us so much as thanks, and doth then GOD owe us the reward of eternal joy? The man, that payeth no more then that he oweth, doth his creditor owe him anything for the payment of it; unless he count him indebted to him, as he in the poet said? 4for that the world is so nought, that a man thinketh ⟨p. 24⟩