A02178:2269
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.
It follows to speak of his subtlety in these words, Against ambushments, &c. Even as ambushments are used privily to undermine the enemy, so by wiles Satan goeth about to trap us. But this is larger said, against spiritual wickednesses. If one could see the enemy, he ⟨p. 311⟩might be prevented, but we cannot see the operations of the devil, because he is spiritual, and therefore we neither can by sense nor by reason discern him; so that he is not only a layer of ambushments, but of spiritual ambushment. Yet note, though they be spiritual, yet not in goodness but in wickedness. In heavenly things. Though Satan be the prince of the air, yet here it is meant that he fighteth against men in heavenly knowledge. By creation they had much good knowledge, their goodness they have lost, their knowledge is retained. Again Paul saith, there is a mystery of iniquity, showing, that as there is a mystery of godliness, so there is a mystery of wickedness; and therefore Satan is said to change himself into an Angel of light; which is, because he will come in good things, in knowledge, in spiritual exercises, and falsely and wickedly gloss on them by that great practise and experience, which from their first fall they have learned. Thus Satan comes even in good things. Worldly wise men distinguishing, whether the enemy by strength or by subtlety doth most ••rt, conclude, that the subtle enemy is most dangerous. Alas, we are in evil case then, h••ing to do with enemies not only strong, but subtle: it were enough to deal with an enemy having but one of these qualities, but we fight with them that have both, that is, both strength & subtlety; so that we know not whether they are more strong, or more subtle. •wo uses there are of this doctrine. One is, we must not make it a slight matter of the e•••ie. The other is, that we be not too much afraid. Both these are dangerous extremities ▪ Some vile heretics deny there is a God, or a devil, or that the devil is so strong and sub••l as he is. Indeed men will not speak thus, but they show it by their peace in themselves in their lives, which showeth, that men do not believe there is a battle. For we see we are now at peace, and why? because there are no enemies. But were it so that the enemies were in the field, would we not fear?