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,…

Lastly, it is showed that this is no variable or particular doctrine but general, no private passion of Paul, but a common joy to all Ministers, and not to Ministers alone, but to all the whole Israel and company of professors, that have their joy either in soundly teaching, or in sincerely learning of Christ crucified, so that all shall have the joy which Paul enjoyed, if they will keep the rule which Paul observed: by which duties both of Pastors & people is insinuated, that whosoever shall wilfully forsake or spitefully reject this doctrine, he is neither of the number of true Ministers, nor any member of the true Israelites. And if we shall more deeply consider, how many and how great the crosses of Christ were for us, and therewithal shall mark how unfaithfully they be though of the most part of professors•, if we shall see the little meditation of them, the slender thankfulness for them, the small fruits of mortification in being crucified to the world, the few tokens of sanctification in becoming new creatures, which come by them, we shall easily grant the necessity of this doctrine to be taught, and comfort of it to be learned, especially seeing in the old age of the Gospel we have so few true rejoicers in Christ crucified, so many enemies of the cross of Christ both among them that be teachers, and them that are taught. As for the enemies of Christ his cross, they be either professed enemies, or not hearty friends: the professed enemies are either such, as ⟨p. 365⟩be without all religion, or such as are seduced by a false religion: they without religion are Atheists, Epicures, & worldlings, unto whom Christ crucified is a laughing stock, and a matter of scoffing, in that Christ is ridiculous in their eyes, and absurd in their judgement: those that are corruptly seduced (that I omit Turks, and Jews) are either superstitious Papists, or erroneous Heretics. The superstitious Papists, notwithstanding their wooden cross and painted banners, and for all their Passion Sundays, & good Fridays, are the greatest enemies to the passion and cross of Christ.

Lastly, it is shewed that this is no variable or particular doctrine but generall, no priuate passion of Paul, but a common ioy to all Ministers, and not to Ministers alone, but to all the whole Israel and companie of professors, that haue their ioy either in soundly teaching, or in sincerely learning of Christ crucified, so that all shall haue the ioy which Paul enioyed, if they will keepe the rule which Paul obserued: by which duties both of Pastors & people is insinuated, that whosoeuer shal wilfully forsake or spitefully reiect this doctrin, he is neither of the number of true Ministers, nor any member of the true Israelites. And if wee shall more deeply consider, how many and how great the crosses of Christ were for vs, and therewithall shall marke how vnfaithfully they be though of the most part of professors, if we shall see the little meditation of them, the slender thankfulnes for them, the small fruites of mortification in being crucified to the world, the fewe tokens of sanctification in becomming new creatures, which comeby them, wee shall easily graunt the necessitie of this doctrine to bee taught, and comfort of it to be learned, especially seeing in the old age of the Gospell we haue so fewe true reioicers in Christ crucified, so many enemies of the crosse of Christ both amōg them that be teachers, and them that are taught. As for the enemies of Christ his crosse, they be either professed enemies, or not heartie friends: the professed enemies are either such, as