A02178:2587
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,…
The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Is it so, that Religion and true piety, is the ready way to the highest advancement▪ then1 hence let us learn to set our hearts chiefly thereupon, and above all the treasures in the world, principally to affect that. We account it good husbandry in the first place, to s•eke after those things that will do us most good: if silver be offered, we will prefer it before brass, & if gold be offered, we will take it rather than silver. Now concerning this heavenly wisdom, it is said: Receive mine instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather then fine 2gold: For wisdom is better then precious stones, and all treasures are not to b•e compared unto her. And this should encourage us rather to use all industry for the obtaining of this ble••ed estate, because it is a thing have-able. It were in vain for a base person to sue to be a King, a Duke, or a Lord: none almost is so foolish, as to seek for such preferments, because they know it would be but lost labour. But there is not the meanest servant, slave, or bondman, but may attain to this spiritual dignity, which is far beyond all advancement that the kingdom of this world can possibly yield. He that can pray, hear, meditate, confer, and judge himself in secret before he cometh to the Sacrament, and with all good care and conscionable respect use all Gods ordinances, for the obtaining of faith and other graces, which do ever accompany the same, shall be sure of good and happy success: for the Lord will be sound of those that seek him with a true heart; therefore let us not so cast our eyes on earthly commodities, as that in the mean time we neglect this pearl of price, and this inestimable Jewell, that will so exceedingly enrich us. The Apostle telleth us, that those3 that run in a race for a prize, though it be but a garland that is set up, so that they can gain only some small credit of their agility and nimbleness in ou• running one another, yet they will put off all that might clog and hinder them in their race; but especially if they should run for a crown of gold: neither will they be so foolish as to stoop down to take up every pin or point that lieth in the way; and yet they run but at an uncertainty: when they have done their best, another may carry away both the honour and commodity from them: and certain it is, that but one alone can win the prize: