A02178:2200
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.
And this treasure is hidden, whether we consider the means, as things of no glorious show, or the graces of the means, which are not of this world, but rather contrary to this world. That the graces of the spirit are hidden from them of this world, our Saviour Christ showeth us in Matthew 1•. and 25. verse, saying: I give thee thanks O Father Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and men of understanding, and hast opened them unto babes. That the means are hidden, Saint Paul witnesseth in the 1. to the Corinth. 2. and 7. verse: But we (saith he) speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hid wisdom which God hath determined before the world, unto our glory, which none of the Princes of this world hath known, &c. And in the 2. of Corinth. 4. and 3. verse, he saith: If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that be lost, whose minds the god of this world hath blinded. The Word is hidden in the base means of the Ministry, as the Apostle saith, 2▪ Corinth. 4▪ and 7. verse: We have the treasures in earthly vessels, &c. And therefore it being in earthly vessels, is the less esteemed of the world. Also this treasure is hidden under the creatures of Water, Bread, and Wine. I do now speak safely of these according unto the manner of men:1 but I know how I do account of them: for unto God and the godly these means are not base, but indeed in respect of the graces offered by these means, they are very base; and who would think that in a mortal man like my self should be hidden the treasure of heaven and earth? Who would think that by the preaching of a silly poor man, Jesus Christ with all his treasure should be offered unto us? Who would think that in the creatures of Bread and Wine and Water, were hid the seals and pledges of the kingdom of heaven? These be treasures indeed, but they are hidden.
And this treasure is hidden, whether wee consider the meanes, as things of no glorious shew, or the graces of the meanes, which are not of this world, but rather contrarie to this world. That the graces of the spirit are hiddē from them of this world, our Sauiour Christ sheweth vs in Matthew 1