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 let us further consider of the words of the Apostle: In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision. We have heard before that the false Apostles and secret supplanters of Pauls preaching did not mislike that the Gospel should be preached, but therewithal they would induce Moses his government, and the discipline of the Jewish traditions. Against this mixture of the Law and the Gospel of Moses and Christ the Apostle beateth, fearing least a little leaven would sour a great piece of dowe. Against such, the teachers of our times had need to preach, for many make a mingle mangle of religion, neither flat Papists, nor sound Protestants, who not for any conscience sake, but for the easing of their flesh provide a safe shelter against the storms of persecution. The Jews rejoiced in that they were circumcised, the Gentiles rejoiced in that they were not circumcised: but both rejoiced amiss, saith the Apostle, in that they should rather rejoice that Christ Jesus was crucified, than that their foreskin was either cut or not cut. Again, by circumcision in this place the Apostle meaneth all other ceremonies, putting part for the whole, whereby he would show, that no ceremonies whatsoever, no not circumcision, whereof their Doctors so much vaunted themselves, could do any thing to a new creature. Now if Moses his ceremonies, which in their time and place had some authority from God were not available hereunto; then mans traditions, which at no time nor in any place are in season, or credit, in that they never were authorised by the Lord, can neither be means nor fruits, neither causes nor effects of regeneration. If then the Jews were deceived with their ceremonies, as the Papists were by their traditions, what shall we think of our traditions? for, if the Lord would not suffer his own ordinances, which for their time were lawful, then he will never suffer traditions, which were never his, but mans. What shall we then say? we have pompous Papists, and politic Protestants. Ask the Papists if they rejoice in the cross of Christ, and if they be new creatures?

But let vs further consider of the wordes of the Apostle: In Christ Iesus neither circumcision auaileth any thing, nor vncircumcision. Wee haue heard before that the false Apostles and secret supplanters of Paules preaching did not mislike that the Gospell should bee preached, but therewithall they would induce Moses his gouernement, and the discipline of the Iewish traditions. Against this mixture of the Lawe and the Gospell of Moses and Christ the Apostle beateth, fearing least a little leauen would sowre a great piece of dowe. Against such, the teachers of our times had neede to preach, for many make a mingle mangle of religion, neither flat Papists, nor sound Protestāts, who not for any conscience sake, but for the easing of their flesh prouide a safe shelter against the stormes of persecution. The Iewes reioyced in that they were circumcised, the Gentiles reioyced in that they were not circumcised: but both reioyced amisse, saith the Apostle, in that they should rather reioyce that Christ Iesus was crucified, than that their foreskin was either cut or not cut. Againe, by circumcision in this place the Apostle meaneth all other ceremonies, putting part for the whole, whereby he would shew, that no ceremonies whatsoeuer, no not circumcision, whereof their Doctors so much vaunted themselues, could do any thing to a new creature. Now if Moses his ceremonies, which in their time and place had some authoritie from God were not auaileable hereunto; then mans traditions, which at no time nor in any place are in season, or credit, in that they neuer were authorised by the Lord, can neither be meanes nor fruites, neither causes nor effects of regeneration. If then the Iewes were deceiued with their ceremonies, as the Papists were by their traditions, what shall we thinke of our traditions? for, if the Lord would not suffer his owne ordinances, which for their time were lawfull, then hee will neuer suffer traditions, which were neuer his, but mans. What shall we then say? wee haue pompous Papists, and politike Protestants. Aske the Papists if they reioyce in the crosse of Christ, and if they be new creatures?