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,…

Let us boldly then both preach and receive this doctrine of Christ▪ and not fear any corrupt Teachers whatsoever, seeing their supposed felicity shall be accursed▪ and our supposed misery shall be blessed. Which curse manifestly appeareth in many Papists this day, that become rebels, traitors, and murderers, as also in heretics, who are become mad and frantic, the Lord watching over them for evil and not for good.

Let vs boldly then both preach and receiue this doctrine of Christ▪ and not feare any corrupt Teachers whatsoeuer, seeing their supposed felicitie shall be accursed▪ and our supposed miserie shall be blessed. Which curse manifestly appeareth in many Papists this day, that become rebels, traitors, and murtherers, as also in heretikes, who are become mad and frantick, the Lord watching ouer them for euill and not for good.

And upon the Israel of God. Here with the Preachers the Apostle joineth the people of God, showing that they that willingly hear, and carefully embrace the doctrine, That by the law we are condemned for sin, and by the Gospel we are saved through faith in Christ, and therefore from henceforth endeavour to have this world crucified unto us, and us to be crucified to the world, and to become new creatures, shall also be saved, and find mercy and peace. Israel properly signifieth one that prevaileth with God. Now, because there was Israel in the flesh, which many did boast of, he here speaketh of the Israel in the spirit, as he speaketh of the Jews Rom. 2. and therefore calleth it the Israel of God, making a distinction between that counterfeit Israel, resting in the ceremony and outward title of the name, and that true Israel, whose praise is of God, and not of men. Before the Jews took the whole privilege of the covenant of God, but now the Gentiles also are contained in the covenant, because all ceremonies abolished, there is one shepherd, and one sheepfold. This promise then belongeth no more to all professors, than to all preachers, but to them alone which are truly called to be the true Israel of God. Whereby we are to learn, that all Christians shall not obtain mercy and peace, but the Christians of God, that is true Christians in life & doctrine. Wherefore all counterfeit Christians are to fear their estate, can they never so well say their catechism, were they never so well baptized, or confirmed, were they never so often coming to the Church to hear the word & receive the sacrament. Now if Israel the beloved of God not rejoicing in the cross of Christ, not being crucified to the world, not being a new creature, shall not find mercy and peace, what comfort are we to look for being Gentiles wanting the same things? And yet we must remember the consolation above named, that though Christians be in some points infants in doctrine, judgement, life, and conversation, yet if they carefully hold the foundation and build thereupon a godly life in trueth and sincerity, though in some weakness, infirmity and imperfection, they shall obtain mercy and peace in the end.