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,…

Thus it went with their great Master and father of allegories Origen, who giving himself to follow his devised allegories, could not through God his righteous and just judgement see those ⟨p. 229⟩places, that will admit a trope. For coming to that saying of Christ our Saviour, where he entreateth o• three kinds of chaste persons, whereof one maketh himself chaste for the kingdom of God sake, he taking it too literally did cut off his own members, and so grossly did misunderstand it▪ The true understanding of this place then is this, that in the Apostles times, and in the ages following there should be riper knowledge, than was in the ages before. But if it be here objected, that the men of our days are not like the great men and Prophets of God, as E••y, David▪ Jeremiah, or Daniel: to this we answer, that comparisons must be always in the like. Then, if we compare the Apostles with the Prophets, that were before them, we know, the Apostles in clearness and excellency of knowledge did surpass them. And our Saviour Christ testifieth of John Baptist, that he was the greatest among the Prophets, and yet that the Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel were greater than he. Then compare our Evangelists with the Patriarchs, and they saw a clearer light than these did. For Abraham saw Christ but a far off and to come, they saw him evidently, and already come. Proceed to compare the common sort of people then, with the common sort in these days, and even we do see Christ more lively painted out before us, than they did: they had assurance that these things should come to pass, we know that they are already come to pass, seeing plainly the effects and issues of them. And thus we see that God his graces are moe, and more excellent, than they were in the time of the Law. Compare Christ with Mose, and he did as far exceed him, as the Master builder doth the hired servant. Compare their common Ministers the Priests and Levites with our ordinary Doctors and Pastors▪ and they go beyond them in the evidence of knowledge. All these notable men of the Law knew that Christ should come, and that the holy Ghost should come: but the manner of their coming they saw but very darkly, but we see it and rejoice therein.