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,…

Therefore it is too too much ungodliness to desire any other means to be instructed by, than by the word of God, which is the very gate of heaven, and the keys thereof are given to the true Ministers of¹ Gods word, with such power, that whatsoever they bind on the earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever they loose upon earth, shall be loosed in heaven. So wonderful is² the mercy of God toward his children herein, that they may have assurance of salvation in this life; yea so certain may they be of it, as if they had it already in possession, and that not by preaching of Angels, but even by our own brethren, mortal men as we are, subject to sin and all infirmities, at whose hands we may daily be taught, and with whom we may talk familiarly, and at their hands through the word of God we may have as good assurance hereof, as if the Lord should speak himself from heaven. If God should speak, we were not able to abide the hearing of his voice, but be even swallowed up of fear. How were the children of Israel terrified with the voice of the Lord? when he spake unto them they fled away, and stood a far off, and cried to Moses, Talk thou with us ³and we will hear: but let not God talk with us, least we die. What a vain and ungodly thing were it to persuade our selves that we could believe if we heard God himself speak, or if one came from the dead, to tell us what we should believe, when as the very earth will quake at the voice of God? And our Saviour Christ telleth us plainly, that if we believe not the true Preachers of his word, we could not believe though a damned soul should come from hell to preach unto us: the reason is, because the ordinance of God, which is unchangeable hath appointed our brethren to teach us the way unto salvation. And truly it is a notable place where our Saviour Christ doth separate his from the reprobate: Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long doest thou make us doubt? If thou be that Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not: the works which I do in my Fathers name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not: for ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Therefore it is too too much vngodlines to desire any other meanes to bee instructed by, than by the word of God, which is the verie gate of heauen, and the keyes thereof are giuen to the true Ministers of