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,…

Hereof it cometh, that many have laboured much, spoken abundantly, and travailed in great eloquence, and yet have neither gained glory to God, nor afforded fruit to the hearers. Hereupon it is, that some that have been as full as the vessel that hath no vent, have become as barren as the flint-stone is of water, because they have sought glory but not by humility; they have shunned destruction, but not left their pride. Contrariwise, we shall observe how many speaking in the singleness of their heart and humility of their spirit, have won many souls to the rich enlarging of Gods honour and kingdom. Many using few words, with a pitiful and fellow feeling affection, have comforted afflicted consciences, instructed ignorant souls, thrown down proud spirits, confounded haughty hearts, & profited abundantly them with whom they were to deal. Many being lowly in their own eyes, have not so much gloried in, no• received glory for their great gifts which God hath bestowed upon them, as they were comforted in their own consciences, with a rich testimony of the sanctifying spirit, who wrought in them some careful usage of the gifts received, to his glory that gave them. The Lord refuseth the service of wicked men, he will not use a proud spirit in his work: and therefore if we shall see that God doth not bless our labours, let us suspect our selves to lie in some sin, let us fear our own hearts that they be not humbled before the Lord. And here it is good that we should be forewarned what lowliness it is the Lord requireth of us, least we deceive our own souls in a false and fantastical humility▪ Wherefore as all men will grant humility to be void of murmuring and grudging: so¹ we affirm, that that is not a mind rightly humbled under the hand of God, which is still perplexed and affrighted with immoderate fear of the danger of some evil to come. ⟨p. 271⟩For as we condemn that hellish security which is void of all fear: so we mislike that abject mind which is oppressed with too much fear, still breathing out of such trembling voices: Oh what shall become of me▪ I am afraid that some evil will befall me, I shall never be able to bear it, I had rather dye then feel it.

Hereof it commeth, that many haue laboured much, spoken abundantly, and trauailed in great eloquence, and yet haue neither gained glorie to God, nor affoorded fruit to the hearers. Hereupon it is, that some that haue been as full as the vessell that hath no vent, haue become as barren as the flint-stone is of water, because they haue sought glorie but not by humilitie; they haue shunned destruction, but not left their pride. Contrariwise, we shall obserue how many speaking in the singlenes of their heart and humilitie of their spirit, haue wonne many soules to the rich inlarging of Gods honour and kingdome. Many vsing few words, with a pitifull and sellow feeling affection, haue comforted afflicted consciences, instructed ignorant soules, throwne downe proud spirits, confounded hautie hearts, & profited abundantly them with whom they were to deale. Many being lowly in their owne eyes, haue not so much gloried in, no receiued glorie for their great gifts which God hath bestowed vpon them, as they were comforted in their owne consciences, with a rich testimonie of the sanctifying spirit, who wrought in them some carefull vsage of the gifts receiued, to his glorie that gaue them. The Lord refuseth the seruice of wicked men, he will not vse a proud spirit in his worke: and therefore if we shall see that God doth not blesse our labours, let vs suspect our selues to lie in some sinne, let vs feare our owne hearts that they be not humbled before the Lord. And here it is good that we should be forewarned what lowlinesse it is the Lord requireth of vs, least wee deceiue our owne soules in a false and phantasticall humilitie Wherefore as all men will grant humilitie to be voide of murmuring and grudging: so