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 word is the key that must open hell gates, to set us at liberty from the bonds of sin, of Satan, and of death; and to unlock heaven gates, that we may have entrance into glory: in which respect it is, that Christ saith unto Peter, that he would give unto him (and consequently to all Ministers of the Gospel) the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that is the dispensation of the word, which maketh the way unto heaven lye open to all such as by faith receive the same into their hearts. So that we should not come unto the means with a base conceit, or light estimation thereof, but with a large and ample desire and expectation of taking benefit thereby. If men can once espy a way how they may rise in the world, either in great wealth or promotion, they will be most industrious and laborious in that course, they will refuse no pains in seeds time, though the weather be unseasonable and cold▪ and their work every way troublesome: but they will put themselves to it with all care and industry, in hope (though it be but an uncertain hope) of bettering their estate. So those that live by fairs and markets, will not fail one of them ordinarily, neither heat nor cold, wind nor rain, nor any the like impediments shall hinder them from pursuing their commodity; and why then should we be negligent, and play the sluggards while our seeds▪ time lasteth, and the Lord biddeth us plough ¹up the sallow ground of our hearts, that he may sow therein the seed of life which will never fail to yield us a plentiful harvest, if we can wait upon him for the same? And why should we be slack and careless when our chief market days and fair days come, and not rather set our hearts and endeavours to seek after those things, which all that seek shall find, and being found will make us men for ever.

The word is the key that must open hell gates, to set vs at libertie from the bonds of sinne, of Sathan, and of death; and to vnlocke heauen gates, that wee may haue entrance into glory: in which respect it is, that Christ saith vnto Peter, that hee would giue vnto him (and consequently to all Ministers of the Gospell) the keyes of the kingdome of heauen, that is the dispensation of the word, which maketh the way vnto heauen lye open to all such as by faith receiue the same into their hearts. So that wee should not come vnto the meanes with a b•se conceit, or light estimation thereof, but with a large and ample desire and expectation of taking benefit thereby. If men can once espye a way how they may rise in the world, either in great wealth or promotion, they will bee most industrious and laborious in that course, they will refuse no paines in seedes time, though the weather be vnseasonable and cold and their worke euery way troublesome: but they will put themselues to it with all care and industrie, in hope (though it be but an vncertaine hope) of bettering their estate. So those that liue by faires and markets, will not faile one of them ordinarily, neither heate nor colde, winde nor raine, nor any the like impediments shall hinder them from pursuing their commoditie; and why then should wee bee negligent, and play the sluggards while our seedes time lasteth, and the Lord biddeth vs plough