The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

We may not therefore be now driven back, the cost of our warfare must not fray us, Christ Jesus will minister harness, strength, & weapons unto us and he will get the victory for us. The great and heavy judgements of God against sinners, let us set before our eyes, the comfortable sayings of the holy Scriptures, as this: Isaiah •1. The wolf shall lie with the lamb, the Leopard shall lie With the kid and the calf, and the Lion and the fat beast together, and a little child shall lead them. Whereby is meant the mighty power of Christ in regenerating our corrupt nature, which is as fierce as a Lion, and as savage as a wolf, or also if we rely upon Christ Jesus, he is able to turn the hearts of the cruellest to pity us. Thou must believe that Christ by his mighty power hath begotten the a•ew▪ and hath delivered thee as it were out of the mouth of the Lion, and therefore in no wise be dismayed, but comfort thy self, and beware of fearful desperation.

We may not therefore be now driuen backe, the cost of our warfare must not frav vs, Christ Iesus will minister harnesse, strength, & weapons vnto vs and he will get the victorie for vs. The great and heauie iudgements of God against sinners, let vs set before our eyes, the comfortable sayings of the holie Scriptures, as this: Esay •1. The wolfe shall lie with the lambe, the Leopard shall lie With the kid and the calfe, and the Lion and the fat beast together, and a little childe shall leade them. Whereby is meant the mightie power of Christ in regenerating our corrupt nature, which is as fierce as a Lion, and as sauage as a wolfe, or also if wee relie vpon Christ Iesus, he is able to turne the hearts of the cruel•st to pitie vs. Thou must beleeue that Christ by his mightie power hath begotten the a•ew▪ and hath deliuered thee as it were out of the mouth of the Lion, and therefore in no wise bee dismaid, but comfort thy selfe, and beware of fearefull desperation.

When our Saviour Christ saith, that it is as possible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God, as it is for a Camel to go through the eye of a needle: O this is a fearful saying: but again it is a great comfort, when he saith, that with man this is unpossible, but with God all things are possible. It seemeth to a covetous man to be a very hard thing to depart from any thing, but when Christ Jesus shall be the mighty work of his spirit truly touch the heart of Zacheus, he can make him willingly to give half of his goods unto the poor, and if that he hath immured any man, to restore the same four fold.

When our Sauiour Christ saith, that it is as possible for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of God, as it is for a Cammell to goe thorowe the eye of a needle: O this is a fearefull saying: but againe it is a great comfort, when hee saith, that with man this is vnpossible, but with God all things are possible. It seemeth to a couetous man to bee a very hard thing to depart from any thing, but when Christ Iesus shall be the mightie worke of his spirit truly touch the heart of Zacheus, hee can make him willingly to giue halfe of his goods vnto the poore, and if that he hath imured any man, to restore the same foure fould.

That was a hard and fearful saying of Saint Paul 1. Corinth. 6. and 9. verse: Neither Fornicators, nor Adulterers, nor Idolaters, nor Wantons, nor Buggerers, nor Thieves, nor Covetous men, nor Drunkards, nor Railers, nor Extortioners shall inherit the kingdom of God. But that which followeth was most comfortable unto the Corinthians, and so it is most comfortable unto us: And such (saith he) were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. Lo here how Corinth was once a wild and brutish people, but after their calling they became sound in faith, and were made the Church of God. And in Titus 1. verse 12. Paul saith, That the Cretans were always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies, and (saith he) this witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply: that they might become sound in the faith. Whereby we¹ see how these wicked people were by Faith purged and made the children of God: Why therefore shouldest thou lay before thee the difficulties of overcoming Satan, that thou shouldest therefore despair in the mercies of God? Why should any of us think that we are not able to overcome our own lusts when Christ Jesus standeth for us, and fighteth with us, when his Angels pitch their tents round about us, and the spirit of God is powerful in us, and the word of God maketh for us.

That was a hard and fearefull saying of Saint Paul 1. Corinth. 6. and 9. verse: Neither Fornicators, nor Adulterers, nor Idolaters, nor Wantons, nor Buggerers, nor Theeues, nor Couetous men, nor Drunkards, nor Railers, nor Extortioners shall inherit the kingdome of God. But that which followeth was most comfortable vnto the Corinthians, and so it is most comfortable vnto vs: And such (saith hee) were some of you: but yee are washed, but yee are sanctified, but yee are iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus, and by the spirit of our God. Loe here how Corinth was once a wilde and brutish people, but after their calling they became sound in faith, and were made the Church of God. And in Titus 1. verse 12. Paul saith, That the Cretians were alwaies liers, euill beasts, and slow bellies, and (saith hee) this witnesse is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply: that they might become sound in the faith. Whereby wee

FINIS.

THE TENTH SERMON, PREACHED ON PART OF the 44. verse of the 13▪ Chapter according to Saint Matthew.

MATTH. 13. vers. 44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in the field, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for joy thereof departeth, and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

MATTH. 13. vers. 44. Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in the fielde, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, and for ioy thereof departeth, and selleth all that hee hath, and buyeth that field.

Having spoken of this verse before, my purpose is not to use any long¹ repetition of that which was deliver••. •n effect this •ath been before showed, namely, that the price of our salvation here called the kingdom of God, •s so excellent, that it is resembled unto a treasure, which howsoever it is hid from the reprobate, and those that be of this world, yet it is manifest and revealed unto the children of God, who find it, and when they have found it, hide it fearing least they should lose it again; the finding whereof breedeth such joy in their hearts, that they will willingly part from all things that they have, so that they may enjoy this treasure: and therefore it is said, that the man having found this treasure, departeth and withdraweth himself. Where we have showed that many for want of this withdrawing themselves, or premeditation, not considering what the price of this treasure is, nor what pains and labour he is to take which enjoyeth it, after they have once begun and entered into this course which leadeth unto eternal life, not being able to continue therein, do with the unskilful builder, not forecasting what the building will cost, and with the unwise King, having begun war, and not able to go through there with, leave off unto their great shame and reproach.

HAuing spoken of this verse before, my purpose is not to vse any long¹ repetition of that which was deliuer••. •n effect this •ath been before shewed, namely, that the price of our saluation here called the kingdom of God, •s so excellent, that it is resembled vnto a treasure, which howsoeuer it is hid from the reprobate, and those that bee of this world, yet it is manifest and reuealed vnto the children of God, who finde it, and when they haue found it, hide it fearing least they should lose it againe; the finding whereof breedeth such ioy in their hearts, that they will willingly part from all things that they haue, so that they may enioy this treasure: and therefore it is saide, that the man hauing found this treasure, departeth and withdraweth himselfe. Where we haue shewed that many for want of this withdrawing themselues, or premeditation, not considering what the price of this treasure is, nor what paines and labour he is to take which enioyeth it, after they haue once begun and entred into this course which leadeth vnto eternall life, not being able to continue therein, doe with the vnskilfull builder, not forecasting what the building will cost, and with the vnwise King, hauing begun warre, and not able to go through there with, leaue off vnto their great shame and reproch.

And here we have showed that no man can sell all that he hath to buy this treasure, before he have throughly considered and deeply •ayed what the thing itself is, and what loss and peril he is to sustain before he can attain thereunto. And here lea•• that any should be discouraged from selling that which he hath to buy this treasure, I showed the remedies and helps which further us therein. For howsoever this treasure is chargeable, yet the cost is Christs: and how laborious soever it is, yet Christ ha•h taken sufficient pains in obtaining it, for all those that put their trust in him. And although the perils and¹ dangers be great, yet in our Lord Jesus they are all overcome. After that a man hath premeditated the charges, pains, and perils, which he is to sustain in buying this treasure, then he cometh to a full resolution, and he selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. In this word selleth, there is much matter contained, where we ought to give more diligent attention thereunto. The things in general which are to be sold before this field be bought, are either of their own nature evil, and in themselves simply sinful, or else such as are sinful in respect of circumstances: those which of themselves are simply sinful, are² of two sorts, either gross outward sins, or else the inward corruption of our corrupt nature. Concerning the former, to wit, gross outward, they must be parted withal and sold, for this saying is true both in religion and in manners, No man can serve two masters, &c. If ⟨p. 303⟩Baal be God then we must follow him, we must not be luke-warm, hot & cold, for such the Lord spueth out of his mouth. Wherefore we cannot serve God & the world, for there is such a contrariety and a fight between them, that until we reject & forsake the world, we can neither serve God aright, nor yet attain to the fruition of this treasure.

And here we haue shewed that no man can sell all that he hath to buy this treasure, before hee haue throughly considered and deeply •ayed what the thing itselfe is, and what losse and perill he is to sustaine before he can attaine thereunto. And heere lea that any should be discouraged from selling that which he hath to buy this treasure, I shewed the remedies and helpes which further vs therein. For howsoeuer this treasure is chargeable, yet the cost is Christs: and how laborious soeuer it is, yet Christ hah taken sufficient paines in obtaining it, for all those that put their trust in him. And although the perils and

In these words, He selleth all that he hath, there are three things to be considered. First,¹ that sins must be sold and not changed. Secondly, sins must be sold all and not some. Thirdly, they must be sold for ever, and not for a season. As touching the first, we see many² that do not so much sell their sins as make an exchange of them: for many in the³ time of Popery had in estimation the Pope and that religion of Antichrist, which now⁴ professing the Gospel do neglect and contemn it: heretofore the pains of that feigned Purgatory were feared of many, but now men are not afraid of the torments of hell which are most sure: heretofore men prayed in an unknown tongue, not understanding what they said, but now they will not pray in a known tongue knowing what they say: before men prayed for the dead, now they will not pray for them which are alive: before men used long and continual prayer, now either they pray not at all, or they are so short, and soon weary, as it seemeth they receive no grace thereby: before many Sacraments which were no Sacraments, were much accounted of, now there are but two, and those are true Sacraments, and yet they are neglected: heretofore men fasted very often, and that very scrupulously, insomuch that they did rather offend in fasting too much than too little, but now a Christian fast publicly appointed is rather oppugned than received, and a private fast is not known amongst Christians. Before there were many and superstitious holy days received, now the only Sabbath of the Lord is profaned, & the devil or at the least not God that day is served: Before men confessed their sins unto every hedge priest, now men have left confession of their sins unto their brethren, choosing rather to murder themselves▪ than to acknowledge their faults one to another, as the Apostle James ⁵willeth they should. Yea men are so far from this, that they will rather by perjury and bribery clear and purge themselves, than make their sins known, and so satisfy the congregation, and Church of God. And thus we might go through all points of religion; for men before were altogether superstitious, and now they are become wholly profane.

Wherefore miserable was their estate before, but now most miserable, dangerous & damnable (I say) is the estate of our age, wherein those that serve God best, and walk most carefully in their callings, are accounted mad and frantic, precise fools: on the other side, they which are altogether dissolute, & secure in discharging their duties, are taken for the wisest men, and this cometh to pass because men do not consider that saying of the Apostle, 1. Thess 5. verse. Brethren, we beseech you that you know them which labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord, that you have them in singular love for their works sake.

Wherefore miserable was their estate before, but now most miserable, dangerous & damnable (I say) is the estate of our age, wherein those that serue God best, and walk most carefully in their callings, are accounted mad and franticke, precise fooles: on the other side, they which are altogether dissolute, & secure in discharging their duties, are taken for the wisest men, and this commeth to passe because men doe not consider that saying of the Apostle, 1. Thess 5. verse. Brethren, we beseech you that you know them which labour amongst you, and are ouer you in the Lord, that you haue them in singular loue for their workes sake.

This changing of sin may also be seen in young men of the University, who in their¹ youth did live altogether dissolute in their behaviour, but being stricken in years they account gain to be godliness, and so far forth as religion may serve to enrich them, so far are they professors thereof. These and such like have not as yet made a sale of sin, but a change. Satan as yet goeth further, & moves some men to make a more dangerous exchange than this, and bringeth them from one extremity unto another. For many being before given to work wickedness, & that with greediness, and to commit most gross sins, now forsaking that outward wicked course are so puffed up in the pride of their spirit, that they are become such new men, as it were thinking too well of themselves, they run on into the other extremity in seeking after those things which are above their reach; by whose wickedness it cometh to pass that the good graces of God oftentimes fall to the ground, and the children of God fare the worse for them: and thus we see that many do not so much fell as change their sins.

This changing of sinne may also be seene in yong men of the Vniuersitie, who in their¹ youth did liue altogether dissolute in their behauiour, but being strickē in yeeres they account gaine to be godlinesse, and so farre foorth as religion may serue to inrich them, so farre are they professors thereof. These and such like haue not as yet made a sale of sinne, but a change. Sathan as yet goeth further, & moues some men to make a more dangerous exchange than this, and bringeth them from one extremitie vnto another. For many being before giuen to worke wickednes, & that with greedinesse, and to commit most grosse sins, now forsaking that outward wicked course are so puffed vp in the pride of their spirit, that they are become such new men, as it were thinking too well of themselues, they runne on into the other extremitie in seeking after those things which are aboue their reach; by whose wickednesse it commeth to passe that the good graces of God oftentimes fall to the ground, and the children of God fare the worse for them: and thus we see that many doe not so much fell as change their sinnes.

1. 1The change of on sin for another.The change of on sinne for another.

But it must be otherwise with us, if we mean to obtain this treasure, we must so part with corrupt religion, that we admit no false sects and heresies: we must so give over wickedness and corrupt manners, that from hence forwards we return not unto them, and we must, as the Scripture requireth, forsake a show of profession of religion, and come unto¹ a strict practise thereof. Secondly, all sin and not some must be forsaken, and sold ⟨p. 304⟩of him, who will enjoy this treasure, many can be content to relinquish some sins, but not all. Herod heard John Baptist willingly, and was content to give ear unto him preaching² repentance: for when John tol• him, that it was not lawful for him to have his brothers wife, then he would not hear him any longer, but cast him into prison, and caused him to be beheaded. The young man in the Gospel had sold many sins, & had many good thoughts in him, insomuch as it is said, Mark. 10. and 24. verse, that Jesus loved him: but when Christ told him, that if he would follow him he must leave his riches, then he chose rather to depart from Christ than from his riches. Ananias and Sapphira, Acts. 5. had³ many good things in them, so that they sold their possessions and laid part of the price thereof at the Apostles feet: but dissembling with the Apostles, & distrusting the providence of God, they kept back some part of the price of their possessions, wherefore through the ministry of Peter they both were presently deprived of their lives. Judas also (no⁴ doubt) had many good things in him, otherwise Christ would not have made him an Apostle, neither could it be but that hearing Christ so long he should reap some commodity thereby, but yet he did secretly inveigle the goods of the Church, and did purchase unto himself not this field wherein the treasure was, but (as it is said of him) a field of blood. And thus we see that there is a partial and not a total forsaking of sins in men. But such men must know, that they have not done enough to obtain this treasure, in leaving some faults and holding some. For it is true which the Apostle James saith, 2. and 10 verse, Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet faileth in one point, he is guilty of all. This the Apostle proveth by an example, as if a man have respect of persons, then he is unmerciful towards him whom he regardeth not.

Now unmercifulness is referred unto murder, and he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill; now though thou doest not commit adultery, yet if thou killest thou art a transgressor of the law. They therefore which make an outward show of Religion, but still keep sin in their hearts, such must know that if they keep sin in part, they shall leese grace in whole: wherefore our sins must be left, not some but all, not partially, but totally. Thirdly, men¹ must sell sin at once, and for ever, and not for a moment, or a short time. And herein we² may easily see that many men have rather left sin for a season, than throughly repented them thereof; and therefore it cometh to pass with them that they do return with the dog unto the vomit, and with the sow which was washed unto the wallowing in the mire. Now if any man ask what the reason is, that some men after that they have escaped the filthiness of the world, are yet again entangled therein: I answer, because such men never came unto a sound grief for their sins. And hence it is, that many being renewed and endued with some gifts of grace, yet being defiled with inward pride and lust of the heart, and not labouring with might and main to be delivered thereof, become much worse than they were before.

Now vnmercifulnesse is referred vnto murther, and he that said, Thou shalt not commit adulterie, said also, Thou shalt not kill; now though thou doest not commit adulterie, yet if thou killest thou art a transgressor of the law. They therfore which make an outward shew of Religion, but still keepe sinne in their hearts, such must know that if they keepe sinne in part, they shall leese grace in whole: wherefore our sinnes must be left, not some but all, not partially, but totally. Thirdly, men¹ must sell sinne at once, and for euer, and not for a moment, or a short time. And herein we² may easily see that many men haue rather left sinne for a season, than throughly repented them thereof; and therefore it commeth to passe with them that they doe returne with the dogge vnto the vomit, and with the sow which was washed vnto the wallowing in the mire. Now if any man aske what the reason is, that some men after that they haue escaped the filthinesse of the world, are yet againe entangled therein: I answere, because such men neuer came vnto a sound griefe for their sinnes. And hence it is, that many being renewed and endued with some gifts of grace, yet being defiled with inward pride and lust of the heart, and not labouring with might and maine to be deliuered thereof, become much worse than they were before.

The repentance of many who have been Papists, Atheists, and whose lives have been stained with fornication, hurts of their brethren, or some other gross faults, is only that they have left those sins, but such men never attaining unto true remorse for their sins, fall therefore into them again, or into worse if it be possible: to whom the Apostle James chapt. 4. saith, Cleanse your hands you sinners, and purge your hearts, you wavering minded, suffer afflictions, and sorrow and weep, let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness. Where the Apostle showeth, that it is not enough for man having offended (with the¹ harlots having done amiss) to wipe their mouths, & to come unto the Church, but they having displeased the Lord must weep, & mourn, until they come to sound grief, and such as is answerable to the measure of their sins. For grievous sins must be repented of with great grief, even as sore diseases must be cured with sharp medicines. And as it is in Zechariah the twelfth, Men must mourn for their sins as one mourneth for his only son, and be sorry for them as one is sorry for the death of his first borne. There must be in them a great mourning, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon for the death of the good King Josiah: Even so must men mourn because they have pierced Christ through with their sins, & wounded him with their abominations. And men must know that a few dry tears, when they have offended, are not sufficient repentance, or sacrifice to God, ⟨p. 305⟩but they must rent their hearts and be heartily sorry and turn unto the Lord: Now many are so stricken with the sense and feeling of their sins, that thereby they are moved to confess and lay open their wickedness in such sort, as a man would think them to be such as for ever afterwards would stand in fear to offend the Lord any more: but these² after that they have received some comfort by the word, of their sins, and have seen that their sins are pardonable, not distinguishing between these two, that it is one thing to have their sins remissible, and another thing to assure themselves that they are remitted:

The repentance of many who haue beene Papists, Atheists, and whose liues haue beene stained with fornication, hurts of their brethren, or some other grosse faults, is onely that they haue left those sinnes, but such men neuer attaining vnto true remorse for their sins, fall therefore into them againe, or into worse if it be possible: to whom the Apostle Iames chapt. 4. saith, Clense your hands you sinners, and purge your hearts, you wauering minded, suffer afflictions, and sorrow and weepe, let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your ioy into heauinesse. Where the Apostle sheweth, that it is not enough for man hauing offended (with the

After (I say) this comfort received by the preaching of the word, they labouring no further to be renewed and throughly reformed, although they had some sorrow for a season, yet because they did not search themselves more narrowly, and endeavour to purge themselves as well from inward sin, as from outward, and to be wholly transfigured and transformed into a new holy, and righteous life▪ therefore it cometh to pass, that the love of righteousness departeth from them, and they return again to their old by as, and are become prays for Jesuits, and massing Priests, such is their profaneness. And this is because they rested only in the universal promises of God, which although they be all most true and comfortable, yet they can minister no true comfort and consolation unto mans soul, except he make a particular application thereof unto himself.

After (I say) this comfort receiued by the preaching of the word, they labouring no further to be renewed and throughly reformed, although they had some sorrow for a season, yet because they did not search themselues more narrowly, and endeuour to purge themselues as well from inward sinne, as from outward, and to be wholy transfigured and transformed into a new holie, and righteous life▪ therefore it commeth to passe, that the loue of righteousnesse departeth from them, and they returne againe to their old by as, and are become praies for Iesuites, and massing Priests, such is their prophanenesse. And this is because they rested onely in the vniuersall promises of God, which although they bee all most true and comfortable, yet they can minister no true comfort and consolation vnto mans soule, except hee make a particular application thereof vnto himselfe.