A02178:1991
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.
Well, they must know that again, whereof they are wilfully ignorant, that there is a mutual coherence between these two things, the title and the duty. What▪ ye glory that year Prophets, and yet ye prophesy not; ye boast that ye are Kings, and ye overcome not; ye be glad to be counted Priests, and ye sacrifice not. Even Papists, though they taught ignorance to be the mother of devotion, can say more for their superstition, and Heretics can say more for their devilish opinions, than Protestants for the defence of Christ his glorious Gospel. Look but to the Papists and Family of love, how painful and cunning they are to go, to run, to ride, to make one like of their heresies; see how they will look for you at markets, how they will entertain you, what meekness, what mildness they will use to salute you. This ought to shame us, this ought to make us labour more for knowledge, that when temptations invade us, when Satan accuseth us, when heresy shall assault us, we may stand steadfast and unremovable, we may edify one another, and in persecution not be dismayed, but resist constantly ⟨p. 232⟩unto blood. Now, as Peter hath showed that which Joel prophesied to be fulfilled, so these verses following show the judgements of God, which should fall upon the Church for the neglect or contempt of these graces offered. There is some question here about the time. Some understand it of Christ his coming in the flesh-some, of his coming to judgement: others more truly think it to be that whole time, which is between his coming in the flesh and his coming to judgement: and so it appeareth the most probable opinion both by the things going before, and by that which followeth after. For in the words going before, it is said, In the last days I will pour out my spirit, now the giving of the spirit was fulfilled in that whole time spoken of. Again, that which followeth after concerning calling upon the name of the Lord, is also meant of that time. Now it both that which goeth before, and that which followeth after, be understood of that time, then it is probable, that that which is in the midst is likewise so understood. And although Christ his first coming was a most glorious time, as we may see by the testimony of the Apostle, yet his last coming shall be a far more glorious day; as we may see Titus 2▪ 2. Thess. 4.