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,…

and having declared already, that the firm faith of Christians needeth not the painted pomp of ceremonies, showeth in the two verses immediately going before these, that these false Apostles and bold Doctors of circumcision kept no good course, both for that they sought to avoid trouble and persecution, because being a menstruous people and monstrous company of Christians and Jews, they might be safe on both sides and hurt of neither part; as also for that they carnally sought their own glory, credit and estimation, by boasting themselves of the solemn troupe and notable number of disciples, whom they schooled and trained after them in their profession. Now in this place Paul opposing his sincere ministry to their carnal gospelling, and the pure faith of Christians to the impure relics of the Jews, saith with a bold emphasis and godly protestation: But be it far from me, that I should rejoice, but in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, &c. As if he should say, God forbid that I should rejoice in any thing saving in this, that I know by the cross of Christ the forgiveness of my sins, that his righteousness is imputed unto me, that mine iniquities are nailed on his cross, and buried in his death, so that I am not henceforth so much tempted to the things of this world, neither make I any great matter, how basely soever the world accounteth of me. For why, I know it is not material, whether we be circumcised or uncircumcised, for that I neither find benefit in being circumcised, neither any hurt in being uncircumcised: but herein I have comfort and matter of rejoicing, in that I am become a new creature in Christ, and am freed from all other shows of Jewish pomp. And this I dare boldly affirm, that this cause of rejoicing is not to me alone, but to all other faithful Ministers teaching, and all other godly people willingly and diligently embracing this doctrine of the cross of Christ. Briefly then we see in these principals, first that the cross of Christ being never so obscure is more to be joyed in, than all shows of ceremonies be they never so glorious, because it worketh in us these excellent effects, which the other can never do, it crucifieth us to this world, and maketh us to become new creatures.

and hauing declared alreadie, that the firme faith of Christians needeth not the painted pompe of ceremonies, sheweth in the two verses immediatly going before these, that these false Apostles and bold Doctors of circumcision kept no good course, both for that they sought to auoide trouble and persecution, because being a menstruous people and monstrous companie of Christians and Iewes, they might bee safe on both sides and hurt of neither part; as also for that they carnally sought their owne glorie, credit and estimation, by boasting themselues of the solemne troupe and notable number of disciples, whom they schooled and trained after them in their profession. Now in this place Paul opposing his sincere ministerie to their carnall gospelling, and the pure faith of Christians to the impure reliques of the Iewes, saith with a bold emphasis and godly protestation: But be it farre from me, that I should reioyce, but in the crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ, &c. As if he should say, God forbid that I should reioice in any thing sauing in this, that I know by the crosse of Christ the forgiuenes of my sins, that his righteousnes is imputed vnto me, that mine iniquities are nailed on his crosse, and buried in his death, so that I am not hencefoorth so much tempted to the things of this world, neither make I any great matter, how basely soeuer the world accounteth of mee. For why, I know it is not materiall, whether we be circumcised or vncircumcised, for that I neither finde benefit in being circumcised, neither any hurt in being vncircumcised: but herein I haue comfort and matter of reioycing, in that I am become a new creature in Christ, and am freed from all other shewes of Iewish pompe. And this I dare boldly affirme, that this cause of reioycing is not to me alone, but to all other faithfull Ministers teaching, and all other godly people willingly and diligently embracing this doctrine of the crosse of Christ. Briefly then we see in these principals, first that the crosse of Christ being neuer so obscure is more to be ioyed in, than al shewes of ceremonies be they neuer so glorious, because it worketh in vs these excellent effects, which the other can neuer doe, it crucifieth vs to this world, and maketh vs to become newe creatures.