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,…

But some will say, is this given to the Ministers only? what if they teach their own devises, and not the pure word of God, and make us believe we are in an happy case, when we are in most misery, and yet desire to be directed in the true pathway unto salvation? I answer, that you must therefore try the doctrine which he bringeth by the touchstone of Gods word, and see that it accord therewith: for in that the Lord giveth the understanding and interpreting of the scriptures unto the ministers, it is not without great cause that he doth it, when as he appointeth them by the power of his word, as the means without which they can do nothing, to bring together his children, yea, by the sharp sword of the word to pierce their souls and consciences to the utter slaying of sin, and with the excellent virtue of the same word to heal them again: which thing if the Ministers for their part shall not faithfully execute in such order as before I entreated of, speaking of the duty of Ministers, even that gift the Lord will so straightly call to account, that he shall bear the danger of every soul that hath perished through his default. Yet shall not the people be hereby discharged: for they must try his doctrine (as I said before) and take heed that they be not seduced; for if they be, they shall dye in their own sins. If any will say that he is ignorant, truly I say, he is in a dangerous case; but if God hath showed him such mercy as to make him desirous to be instructed in the right way to salvation, let him crave knowledge at the Lords hand, never cease, but be importunate upon the Lord in craving his holy spirit, to work in him all spiritual grace, to work in him¹ true Faith: and to assure him of his salvation, all other worldly respects set aside: and let him use great diligence in hearkening to the word of God, and be obedient unto the same. Moreover, let him withdraw himself from all evil company, and frequent the company of the godly, and no doubt but the Lord will strengthen him to work his will, whereby he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or not, according to the rule which our Saviour Christ giveth us to know it by, He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true: and such must we² obey in the Lord.

But some will say, is this giuen to the Ministers onely? what if they teach their owne deuises, and not the pure word of God, and make vs beleeue wee are in an happie case, when wee are in most misery, and yet desire to be directed in the true pathway vnto saluation? I answere, that you must therfore trie the doctrine which he bringeth by the touchstone of Gods word, and see that it accord therwith: for in that the Lord giueth the vnderstanding and interpreting of the scriptures vnto the ministers, it is not without great cause that hee doth it, when as hee appointeth them by the power of his word, as the meanes without which they can doe nothing, to bring together his children, yea, by the sharpe sword of the word to pearce their soules and consciences to the vtter slaying of sinne, and with the excellent vertue of the same word to heale them againe: which thing if the Ministers for their part shall not faithfully execute in such order as before I intreated of, speaking of the duty of Ministers, euen that gift the Lorde will so straightly call to account, that hee shall beare the danger of euery soule that hath perished through his default. Yet shall not the people be hereby discharged: for they must try his doctrine (as I said before) and take heede that they be not seduced; for if they be, they shall dye in their owne sinnes. If any will say that hee is ignorant, truly I say, he is in a dangerous case; but if God hath shewed him such mercie as to make him desirous to bee instructed in the right way to saluation, let him craue knowledge at the Lords hand, neuer cease, but be importunate vpon the Lorde in crauing his holy spirite, to worke in him all spirituall grace, to worke in him