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,…

Doctrine.

1 Because in reading of examples we restrain duties to certain persons, and wring¹ our own neck out of the yoke, or else we chiefly tie the mercies of God to them, and think they appertain not to us; it is good to learn certain rules whereby we may know when the use of the doctrine is general, and when particular, which is set down in singular examples. Three rules are to be observed: first, if we read of any thing in particular, we are to search whether in some other place in the Scripture, the same thing is not set down generally, that is, whether that which is commended, or discommended in some² proper person, be not commanded or forbidden to all: if it be, then the use of that is general, not particular: but if it be a particular precept enjoined to some one, and no warrant found in the word of that to be done of another; then it is a thing personal, proper to some, not general appertaining to all. The second rule is, that wheresoever there is a general³ equity of a thing, there is a general practise to be had, howsoever we see it set down but in particular. The third is, wheresoever by the scope of the place there appears a general⁴ drift, either by something going before or coming after, though the present place seemeth to be particular, yet there is a general use of the doctrine to be gathered out of it.

1 BEcause in reading of examples we restraine duties to certaine persons, and wring