A02178:2121
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.
For first of all, we see what force the good continuance of the Churches beyond the Seas hath to persuade men to embrace the truth, and how soon some men will be moved to continue steadfast, when they see the steadfast constancy of good men in all kind of godliness Again, we know1 what great offences are given to the weak, when whole Churches, or some particular persons of some good place and credit, do not stand in that credit, nor maintain by goodness their good name, which they had gotten by great virtues? The very Heathen did see2 this, and therefore they said that it was as great a praise to keep praise, as to get it: yea, and when they saw what great inconveniences would arise when men did not satisfy the expectation of the people, they thought it much better never to have any good report amongst men, than to lose it after it had been gotten. Therefore to shut up this whole matter in one word, if any man, if any household, if any town, if any country, be careful to have an honest report amongst men, then must they eschew evil & do good, then must they seek peace and pursue it: and if once having gotten a good name, they would gladly keep it, then they must use the same means, so shall we have it both of God and man.
For first of all, wee see what force the good continuance of the Churches beyond the Seas hath to perswade men to embrace the truth, and how soone some men will be moued to continue stedfast, when they see the stedfast constancie of good men in all kinde of godlinesse Againe, we knowe1 what great offences are giuen to the weake, when whole Churches, or some particular persons of some good place and credit, doe not stand in that credit, nor maintaine by goodnes their good name, which they had gotten by great vertues? The very Heathen did see2 this, and therefore they saide that it was as great a praise to keepe praise, as to get it: yea, and when they saw what great inconueniences would arise when men did not satisfie the expectation of the people, they thought it much better neuer to haue any good report amongst men, than to lose it after it had been gotten. Therefore to shut vp this whole matter in one word, if any man, if any household, if any towne, if any countrey, bee carefull to haue an honest report amongst men, then must they eschue euill & doe good, then must they seeke peace and pursue it: and if once hauing gotten a good name, they would gladly keepe it, then they must vse the same meanes, so shall we haue it both of God and man.