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,…

And hearers are here greatly to be circumspect, that they think not so basely of men zealous in gifts of the spirit, as that they should account them mad, melancholic, or choleric men, and such as either would hurt themselves, or do some hurt to others; but rather reverently acknowledge, ⟨p. 218⟩that there is a secret and mighty power of the Spirit, which the Lord often conveyeth into the hearts of the godly. Men can for the most part well away with an ordinary course in preaching, and so long as it falls into an oratory stile, and just proportion of words, or so long as a man showeth a witty invention, and comely composing of the matter: but if a man press into the consciences of men, and with some vehemency speak against their familiar sins, straight way they say, surely this kind of teaching bewrayeth him to be brainsick. And that we may be the more weary herein, let us consider who they were that inveighed thus against the Apostles▪ were they not men out of every nation fearing God, and such as were somewhat religious? yes surely. And who nowadays will sooner and sorer open their mouths against zealous preachers, than men claborate in art, and skilful in precepts, who not being able by reason to see into this vehemency, judge them that use it too austerely? Wherefore as this must correct judgement in hearers, least they justly offend God in being unjustly offended at them that are zealous for the Lord of hosts sake: so also it must teach the Ministers of the word patience, if sometimes they be wrongly construed, & so recompense their fury with meekness, as the Lord may humble their adversaries the more, even by their meek dealing, of whom they thought so hardly: which undoubtedly oftentimes is most effectual even to break the hearts even of the most obstinate gainsayers. And it cannot be gainsaid, that these men seeing the Apostles meekness, were far more won, and sooner humbled, than if he should have breathed out furious speeches, and so have ceased from his holy business.

And hearers are here greatly to be circumspect, that they thinke not so basely of men zealous in gifts of the spirit, as that they should account them mad, melancholike, or cholerike men, and such as either would hurt themselues, or doe some hurt to others; but rather reuerently acknowledge, ⟨p. 218⟩that there is a secret and mightie power of the Spirit, which the Lord often conueieth into the hearts of the godly. Men can for the most part well away with an ordinary course in preaching, and so long as it fals into an oratorie stile, and iust proportion of words, or so long as a man sheweth a wittie inuention, and comely composing of the matter: but if a man presse into the consciences of men, and with some vehemencie speake against their familiar sinnes, straight way they say, surely this kind of teaching bewrayeth him to be brainesick. And that we may be the more wearie herein, let vs consider who they were that inueyed thus against the Apostles were they not men out of euery natiō fearing God, and such as were somewhat religious? yes surely. And who nowadayes will sooner and sorer open their mouthes against zealous preachers, than men claborate in arte, and skilful in precepts, who not being able by reason to see into this vehemencie, iudge them that vse it too austerely? Wherefore as this must correct iudgement in hearers, least they iustly offend God in being vniustly offended at them that are zealous for the Lord of hoasts sake: so also it must teach the Ministers of the word patience, if sometimes they be wrongly cōstrued, & so recompence their furie with meekenes, as the Lord may humble their aduersaries the more, euen by their meeke dealing, of whom they thought so hardly: which vndoubtedly oftentimes is most effectuall euen to breake the hearts euen of the most obstinate gainesayers. And it cannot be gainesayd, that these men seeing the Apostles meekenes, were farre more wonne, and sooner humbled, than if he should haue breathed out furious speeches, and so haue ceased from his holy busines.