A02178:2044
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.
Now, whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, it may appear that1 he speaketh to those that had already received the spirit: For, as the fire cannot be said to be quenched, where it is not: so they cannot be said to quench or lose the spirit, which have not as yet received it. Then know, that this precept doth properly belong to them that have received the spirit of God, and they especially are to make a special use of it: for the other, it cannot profit them, unless that, as the seed lying in the ground a long time, doth afterward ⟨p. 242⟩bud and become fruitful; so this continue in their minds, till they have tasted (in some good sort) of the spirit of God, and then breed in them some carefulness that they do not quench it. Well then, to them that have felt and found the spirit of God in them, to them saith S. Paul in this place, Take heed that ye quench not the spirit. Of this, if we do somewhat seriously consider, these two questions will offer themselves, and soon arise in2 our mind. First, how we may know whether we have the spirit of God, or no. Secondly, if we have it, whether it may be lost again, or no: which if they be well and sufficiently answered, they will doubtless give great force unto this precept For the first then, if we will know whether we have the spirit or no; we must surely understand, that as he knoweth best that he hath life, which feeleth it in himself: so he best knoweth whether he have the spirit of God, that feeleth the spirit working in him. And if we will further know this by the peculiar working and effects of the spirit, then let us mark these.
Now, whereas the Apostle saith, Quench not the spirit, it may appeare that1 he speaketh to those that had alreadie receiued the spirit: For, as the fire cannot be said to be quenched, where it is not: so they cānot be said to quench or lose the spirit, which haue not as yet receiued it. Then know, that this precept doth properly belong to thē that haue receiued the spirit of God, and they especilly are to make a speciall vse of it: for the other, it cannot profit them, vnlesse that, as the seede lying in the ground a long time, doth afterward