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 earth, as the Philosophers think, standeth in the middest of the firmament; and as the Scriptures teach us, the waters are above the earth: so that to reason the earth seemeth to be very fickle and ready to fall, albeit to our sense nothing seemeth so steadfast. How cometh it to pass then that the earth falleth not, or is not covered with water, but because of the word wherein God hath commanded it so to be, as in the beginning he made it by the word? The Lord gave bounds to the Sea the which it should not pass, and those bounds it kept two thousand years; then by the word of the Lord it overflowed the earth: but after that, it hath to this day continued within his banks, because God hath so appointed it. And if these be so sure by the word of the Lord, the word must needs be sure and steadfast, wherein God hath promised that he will have his Church to the end. The like reason Jeremiah useth, chap. 31. and 35. 36. 37. So long as the Sun and the Moon continue in heaven, so long will I have my Church upon the earth, though the wicked rage against it. This must stay and comfort us, when these thoughts assault us: Oh, if the word should be taken from this place, where then should it rest? If this King, or Queen should dye, where should the word become then? This must assure us, I say, that the Lord will provide for his Church so, that the word may continue amongst them, so long as his covenant of the night and the day abideth.

THe earth, as the Philosophers thinke, standeth in the middest of the firmament; and as the Scriptures teach vs, the waters are aboue the earth: so that to reason the earth seemeth to be very fickle and readie to fall, albeit to our sense nothing seemeth so stedfast. How commeth it to passe then that the earth falleth not, or is not couered with water, but because of the word wherein God hath commaunded it so to be, as in the beginning hee made it by the word? The Lord gaue bounds to the Sea the which it should not passe, and those bounds it kept two thousand yeeres; then by the word of the Lord it ouerflowed the earth: but after that, it hath to this day continued within his bankes, because God hath so appointed it. And if these be so sure by the word of the Lord, the word must needs be sure and stedfast, wherein God hath promised that he wil haue his Church to the end. The like reason Ieremie vseth, chap. 31. and 35. 36. 37. So long as the Sun and the Moone continue in heauen, so long will I haue my Church vpon the earth, though the wicked rage against it. This must stay and comfort vs, when these thoughts assault vs: Oh, if the word should be taken from this place, where then should it rest? If this King, or Queene should dye, where should the word become then? This must assure vs, I say, that the Lord will prouide for his Church so, that the word may continue amongst them, so long as his couenant of the night and the day abideth.