A02178:1820
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,…
The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
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.
There is a difference between faith and opinion or knowledge: for our knowledge and opinions vanish away in afflictions: but as gold is tried in the fire, so faith will abide the fire of affliction. Satan winnowed Peter, but his faith failed not: for Christ failed not, for Christ prayed for him, and for his Disciples, and for all believers, that their faith should not fail.
There is a difference betweene faith and opinion or knowledge: for our knowledge and opinions vanish away in afflictions: but as golde is tried in the fire, so faith will abide the fire of affliction. Sathan winowed Peter, but his faith failed not: for Christ failed not, for Christ praied for him, and for his Disciples, and for all beleeuers, that their faith should not faile.
Next followeth practise: That we have a desire that the word may bring forth increase1 of faith and repentance, Psal. 119 98. By thy commandments thou hast made me wiser than my enemies, for they are •••• with me. The practise of Infidels is nothing, because it is not joined with faith. But Christ saith, Blessed are they which hear and do. And so saith Jame•, that this is that assureth us that we have faith. He that doth this, is compared unto him that buildeth his house upon a rock, and our works are not the foundation of the house, but then we have builded upon Christ when we join the fruits of our faith with knowledge, they will speak for us to our consciences, and to others. Our Saviour Christ saith,2 That that servant that knoweth the will of his master and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes: for it is worse to offend of knowledge than of ignorance. And why should he give us any more, if we practise not that we have? For to him that hath shall be given, but from him that hath not shall be taken away, &c. Why do many hearing the word, either continue or increase in their blindness, but because they would not practise that they knew, and also even that they had is taken from them? If a good conscience be not joined with faith, faith shall be taken away and errors succeed. If then we be forgetful, we must confess that the want of practise is the cause thereof. The rule of reason in all things is, that the best way of learning is by practise: then how much more if we practise will God increase our talents?