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 now let us see what is meant by the cross of Christ. Some understand it of the afflictions which he did suffer for the profession of Christ, because the Apostle saith in another place, how he did bear about with him the marks of his sufferings in his body. But ⟨p. 368⟩this sense were too hard to be brooked, that we should rejoice in nothing but in affliction; albeit this is a truth, that we may rejoice in those afflictions which we suffer for Christ his sake. Again, the cross of Christ taken for affliction, cannot be said to be a principal cause of the world crucified to us, or of crucifying us to the world, although in some respect it may be counted an inferior cause. Further if we compare this place with other places of the scriptures, we shall find it to be understood of the cross which Christ suffered for us, rather than of the cross which we suffer for him, as 2. Cor, 2 2. where the Apostle laboureth to know nothing, as here he rejoiceth in nothing more than in Christ crucified, as he calleth it in that place, or in the cross of Christ, as he speaketh in this place. The Apostle his meaning then briefly is this. Be it far from me that I should chiefly rejoice in any, but in Christ crucified, because he can present me blameless before God his judgement seat, he hath nailed my sins to his cross, he is the immaculate Lamb that was sacrificed for me, and will present me as clear without spot before his father, as ever I was created. Wherefore Paul knowing the cross of Christ able to perform all these things, good cause there was why he then, and we now attaining in some measure to the like knowledge, should rejoice in Christ crucified, by whom we become crucified to the world. First we are to note, that they that with delight lye in sin, or have no desire to come out of sin, cannot rejoice in the cross of Christ. For if thou be filthy, and wilt be filthy still in thy flesh, how darest thou presume to rejoice in the scourged and torn flesh of Jesus Christ? Canst thou, ô miser, still like and love this world so much, when thou doest more prick and pierce Christ with thy sins, than ever he was pricked with thorns and nails? or can the thorns of Christ crucified be precious to thee, when the thorns of worldly cares do so delight and choke thee?

But now let vs see what is meant by the crosse of Christ. Some vnderstand it of the afflictions which hee did suffer for the profession of Christ, because the Apostle saith in another place, how he did beare about with him the marks of his sufferings in his body. But