A02178:2688
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.
Hence it follows, that when any that hath been a professor of the Gospel shall despair at his end, that men are to leave secret judgements to God, and charitably to judge the best of them. For example, one dMaster Chambers at Leicester of late, in his sickness grievously despaired, and cried out that he was damned, and after dyed: yet it is not for any to note him with the black mark of a reprobate. One thing which he spake in his extremity (O that I had but one drop of faith) must move all men to conceive well of him. For by this it seemeth he had an heart which desired to repent and believe: and therefore a repentant & believing heart indeed. For GOD at all times, but especially in temptation, of his great mercy accepts the will, for the deed. Neither is it to be regarded, that he said he was damned; for men in such cases speak not as they are, but as they feel themselves to be.
Hence it followes, that when any that hath bene a professor of the Gospell shall despaire at his ende, that men are to leaue secret iudgements to God, and charitably to iudge the best of them. For example, one dMaister Chambers at Leycester of late, in his sicknesse grieuously despaired, and cried out that he was damned, and after dyed: yet it is not for any to note him with the black marke of a reprobate. One thing which he spake in his extremitie (O that I had but one drop of faith) must moue all men to conceiue well of him. For by this it seemeth hee had an heart which desired to repent and belieue: and therefore a repentant & beleeuing heart indeed. For GOD at all times, but especially in temptation, of his great mercy accepts the will, for the deede. Neither is it to be regarded, that hee said he was damned; for men in such cases speake not as they are, but as they feele thēselues to be.
- dSee the book written of his death.
Yea to go further, when a professor of the gospel shall make away himself, though it be a fearful case, yet still the same opinion must be carried. First, Gods judgements are very secret. 2. They may repent in the very agony for any thing we know. 3 None is able to comprehend the bottomless depth of the graces & mercies which are in Christ Jesus.