A02178:2201
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.
As a treasure in the field. This treasure sure is such a hidden thing, as that the eye of the quickest hath not seen it, neither hath his ear heard of it, neither hath it entered into his heart to conceive of it. Now as in a goodly field adorned with Grass, Flowers, Trees, Herbs, and such like, perhaps there lieth hidden no treasure; whereas contrary in a barren1 piece of ground, wherein no such things are, there may be and do commonly lie hidden treasures very great: so there is an inequality of means, and the Lord bestoweth his graces upon them, for the most part, which carry least show in this world, and useth them as instruments, and means to set forth his glory: and so likewise in the Sacraments and in the word of God, though they be less esteemed of in the world, yet in them is the chiefest treasure of all hidden. This must teach us, that it is no marvel though few of the2 world come to this treasure, because that it is so hidden, and therefore this was prophesied of long before of the Prophet Isaiah, in his 25 chap. 1. verse: Lord (saith he) who will believe our report? And, to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?
As a treasure in the field. This treasure sure is such a hidden thing, as that the eye of the quickest hath not seene it, neither hath his eare heard of it, neither hath it entred into his heart to conceiue of it. Now as in a goodlie field adorned with Grasse, Flowers, Trees, Herbes, and such like, perhaps there lieth hidden no treasure; whereas contrarie in a barren1 peece of ground, wherein no such things are, there may be and doe commonly lie hidden treasures very great: so there is an inequalitie of meanes, and the Lord bestoweth his graces vpon them, for the most part, which carrie least shew in this world, and vseth them as instruments, and meanes to set foorth his glorie: and so likewise in the Sacraments and in the word of God, though they be lesse esteemed of in the world, yet in them is the chiefest treasure of all hidden. This must teach vs, that it is no marueile though fewe of the2 world come to this treasure, because that it is so hidden, and therefore this was prophecied of long before of the Prophet Esay, in his 25 chap. 1. verse: Lord (saith he) who will beleeue our report? And, to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed?