A26344:121
God's anger
God's anger ; and, Man's comfort two sermons / preached and published by Tho. Adams.
London: printed by Tho. Maxey for Samuel Man, 1652
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.
It is another's complaint; I am shut up in a close prison, where I can neither converse with others 1abroad, nor let in others to communicate with me, in this my confined home. The sparrow on the house-top hath more freedom then I; For that, though wanting a mate, hath ⟨p. 75⟩an open air to fly in, and may so invite company to solace her, I have no society, but my disconsolate thoughts: no friend, to ask me so much, as how I do?
It is anothers complaint; I am shut up in a close prison, where I can neither converse with others 1abroad, nor let in others to communicate with me, in this my confined home. The sparrow on the house-top hath more freedome then I; For that, though wanting a mate, hath ⟨p. 75⟩an open aire to flie in, and may so invite company to solace her, I have no society, but my disconsolate thoughts: no friend, to ask me so much, as how I do?
- 14.
Yet is thy soul at liberty: no barricaded walls, no iron-gates or grates, no dark dungeons can imprison that. The Jail is a strong prison to thy body, and thy body is but (in a metaphorical phrase) a prison to thy soul; Thy body may not walk abroad, thy soul can. Spite of all thy cruel creditors, and some unmerciful Jailors; she can break Prison: She hath wings that can mount her through clouds and mountains, through orbs and constellations, and (like to Enoch) walk with God, in a heavenly contemplation of his infinite goodness. My ears cannot hear those airy Choristers, singing their Creators praise in the groves: my soul, in speculation, can hear the Anthems of Angels in heaven. I may not hear the Hosanna's of the Church militant in our material Temples below: I may conceive, that my soul hears the Hallelujahs of the Church triumphant above. I may not walk in the green pastures, and flowery meadows on earth: my soul may move in the glorious and melodious galleries of heaven. Thus O Lord, though in my strictest confinement here below, thou hast given me large liberty above. Still I will glorify thee for all thy mercies, for thy comforts delight my soul.