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,…

We are made all of one mould, we were all borne under one climate, we are not sanctified by nature more then others; are not we then highly to praise God, in that we maintain not our own lot; but whilst round about us some are become Papists, some Atheists, some Arians, some Familists, we are both guided of God to make our choice of the truth, and are continued in the well liking of our choice being made? What a benefit is it that in such store of politics, we should not only understand the letter, but also conceive the mystery of the truth? What a grace is it, that we should be so taught of God, that if we abound we can be thankful, if we be in trouble we can be patient, if we suffer the cross we are content? But do not the Papists and Familists commend the Saints? doth not every man say, God is his portion? how is this then any particular thing in the godly? True it is they do so: but we stay on God his will revealed in the word, which we account our portion. Talk with a blasphemer, talk with a drunkard, an whoremaster or a worldling; talk with a skilful man of law, or an expert Physician, and every one will as proudly and as boldly profess God to be his portion as another: but come to them in a matter of salvation, or in a case of faith, and they can say nothing: how much now are we to be persuaded of, and being so persuaded, to be thankful for the free mercy, and undeserved good will of God in directing us, in choosing, and nourishing our choice?

We are made all of one mould, wee were all borne vnder one climate, wee are not sanctified by nature more then others; are not wee then highly to praise God, in that wee maintaine not our owne lot; but whilest round about vs some are become Papists, some Atheists, some Arrians, some Familists, we are both guided of God to make our choise of the truth, and are continued in the well liking of our choise being made? What a benefit is it that in such store of politiques, we should not only vnderstand the letter, but also conceiue the mysterie of the truth? What a grace is it, that we should be so taught of God, that if we abound wee can be thankfull, if wee be in trouble we can be patient, if wee suffer the crosse we are content? But doe not the Papists and Familists commend the Saints? doth not euery man say, God is his portion? how is this then any particular thing in the godly? True it is they doe so: but wee stay on God his will reuealed in the word, which we account our portion. Talke with a blasphemer, talke with a drunkard, an whoremaster or a worldling; talke with a skilfull man of law, or an expert Physition, and euery one will as proudly and as boldly professe God to be his portion as another: but come to them in a matter of saluation, or in a case of faith, and they can say nothing: how much now are we to be perswaded of, and being so perswaded, to bee thankfull for the free mercie, and vndeserued good will of God in directing vs, in chusing, and nourishing our choise?