The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

In the last (where God layeth a more precise rule & straighter charge to the conscience¹ of man, than flesh and blood would willingly bear, because men think it some rigorous dealing to have their least affections arraigned, and their secret thoughts condemned, as willing to have their thoughts not to be called into any court, to hold up their hand at the bar of judgement) he is constrained as it were by particular branches and several articles to set down the law, that we might not find some starting holes to creep out at, and to wring our selves out of the precincts of the same. Yet more evidently doth this appear in all the commandments of the first table, because they are more contrary to the judgement of man merely natural, although he be otherwise never so wise, and the word ⟨p. 131⟩of truth must only try them: for in the first commandment, the reason is prefixed; in the second, third, and fourth commandments, the reasons are annexed. But here may arise this question, •o wit, why the second and fourth Precepts, are so amplified in words, and strengthened with more reasons than any of the other? Surely herein the Lord declareth, how he plainly foresaw, how amongst the rest these two commandments would² find lea•• entertainment, and most be refused. But what shall we say of the Papists, Familists, and Heretics among us in these days: and other men also otherwise of sound judgement, which affirm, that as well the second as the fourth Commandment, is ceremonial: whereof the one would bring into the Church Images, the other profaneness? Wherefore the Lord in his wisdom foreseeing these cavilling wits, prevented their purposes: so that if either they yield not, or make resistance to the truth so manifest, they oppose themselves to the known and open truth, and so make themselves the more inexcusable. We see to acknowledge that there is a God, to honour Father and Mother, to abstain from blood, not to defile our flesh, not wrongfully to oppress, not to be a notorious slanderer; every Papist and natural man guided but by the light of reason, will easily grant. For the wonderful order of the heavens, the continual course of the Sun, Moon, and stars, the outgoings of the mornings and evenings declare there is a God.