A02178:2204
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.
Where we see that the holy Ghost giveth this precept unto the children of God, that they labour so for the word that1 it be hidden in their hearts, they must labour to have their hearts whol•e to profess the word, for the mind of man it may be deceived, but the heart cannot, if the heart be once throughly possessed of the word, it cannot easily be deprived of it.
Where wee see that the holy Ghost giueth this precept vnto the children of God, that they labour so for the word that1 it be hidden in their hearts, they must labour to haue their hearts whol•e to prossesse the word, for the minde of man it may be deceiued, but the heart cannot, if the heart bee once throughly possessed of the word, it cannot easily be depriued of it.
- 1The mindé may be deceived, the heart cannot so be, being truly possest of the word.The mindé may be deceiued, the heart cannot so be, being truly possest of the word.
Now as a treasure is found before it be sought, so is the word of God Isaiah. 65. 1. Rom. 10. 20. I was found of them that sought me not, and have been made manifest to them that asked not after me. This showeth that all goodness cometh of the free grace and mercy of God, but to this end doth God manifest himself to them that sought him not, that men when God1 hath once found them, should then seek after him, and when he hath once spoken unto them, then they should hearken unto him. And this no doubt the children of God, who who when the Lord hath found them, and they know that the Lord hath spoken, they have heard him. O then so glad would they hear him again, and fearful they are least they should be deprived of hearing him in his word: neither do they desire to have Christ transfigured in the mount, but themselves to be transformed into new men, that they might grow up in righteousness, from strength to strength, and from faith to faith. This I speak unto the sons and daughters of God which languish in their sins, and in the feeling of their infirmities, and hunger and thirst after the graces of God; O how joyful are they in hearing the word, having felt comfort in it? such fervency of spirit is in them, to hear the preaching of the word, being so precious unto them, they delight in the Sacraments, finding confirmation of faith and strength by them: The company of Gods children is most delightful unto them, as David saith: All my delight (O Lord) is upon thy Saints on earth: Their consciences are comforted, and they are full of alacrity and cheerfulness.