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 former part of this chapter is set down the work of God in sending down the holy Ghost on the Apostles, as also the effects hereof, both in the Apostles, and in the hearers, wonderful in the one, diverse in the other, the Apostles speaking with such strage tongues, the hearers hitherto not greatly moved, but secretly murmuring & saying, they had drunk deeply, and so became eloquent. Whereat Peter taking this good occasion confuteth them by two reasons, first telling them it was but yet nine of the clock, or the third hour of the day, at what time men use not to be drunken. Nay, saith he, it is so far off, that we are drunken, as ye suppose, that it is with us clean contrary. For the thing is not come to pass, that one of your own Prophets foretold you, it is not superfluity of drink, but an abundance of God his spirit, not promised by special privilege to us alone, but to all sexes, conditions, and estates of men whatsoever, if ye be prepared to receive it. For as the Lord hath bestowed the gifts of his spirit on us, so will he also do it to you, if ye wilfully refuse not: and therefore the Lord is ready now to work wonders in the world; & whoso either wittingly refuseth, or carelessly abuseth these graces, shall be snared in these judgements, yet so, as the Lord being more ready to magnify his mercy, than to show his justice, will accomplish this, that whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord, shall both escape the judgements threatened, and also obtain these. And thus much both generally & briefly for the scope of this place. More particularly we may observe three special points: first, the liberal testimony of Joel, and his rich commendation of the grace of God in bestowing such graces on his Church under the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and this is set down, vers. 17. 18. the second thing is, that at what time the Lord will thus deal with his people, the Lord will send many judgements, as heresies, offences, dearths, plagues, and wars, which here are declared in figurative and borrowed speeches of blood, fire, vapour of smoke, and such like, whereby he will punish and avenge himself for the contempt of so gracious mercies, as vers. 19. 20. and the third thing is the means how we shall escape such heavy judgements, and attain to such heavenly graces, and so persevere in them, which is declared vers. 21.

IN the former part of this chapter is set down the worke of God in sending downe the holy Ghost on the Apostles, as also the effects hereof, both in the Apostles, and in the hearers, wonderful in the one, diuerse in the other, the Apostles speaking with such strage tongues, the hearers hitherto not greatly moued, but secretly murmuring & saying, they had drunke deepely, and so became eloquent. Whereat Peter taking this good occasion confuteth them by two reasons, first telling them it was but yet nine of the clock, or the third houre of the day, at what time men vse not to be drunken. Nay, saith hee, it is so far off, that we are drunken, as ye suppose, that it is with vs cleane cōtrarie. For the thing is not come to passe, that one of your owne Prophets foretold you, it is not superfluitie of drink, but an aboundance of God his spirit, not promised by speciall priuiledge to vs alone, but to all sexes, conditions, and estates of men whatsoeuer, if ye be prepared to receiue it. For as the Lord hath bestowed the gifts of his spirit on vs, so will he also doe it to you, if ye wilfully refuse not: and therefore the Lord is readie now to worke wonders in the world; & whoso either wittingly refuseth, or carelesly abuseth these graces, shall be snared in these iudgements, yet so, as the Lord being more readie to magnifie his mercie, than to shew his iustice, will accomplish this, that whosoeuer calleth on the name of the Lord, shall both escape the iudgements threatned, and also obtaine these. And thus much both generally & briefely for the scope of this place. More particularly we may obserue three speciall poynts: first, the liberall testimonie of Ioel, and his rich commendation of the grace of God in bestowing such graces on his Church vnder the kingdome of Iesus Christ, and this is set downe, vers. 17. 18. the second thing is, that at what time the Lord will thus deale with his people, the Lord will send many iudgements, as heresies, offences, dearths, plagues, and warres, which here are declared in figuratiue and borrowed speeches of blood, fire, vapour of smoke, and such like, whereby he will punish and auenge himselfe for the contempt of so gracious mercies, as vers. 19. 20. and the third thing is the meanes how wee shall escape such heauie iudgements, and attaine to such heauenly graces, and so perseuere in them, which is declared vers. 21.