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,…

Again, because every member of Christ is anointed with knowledge, according to that measure which the Spirit worketh, as well the hearer as the speaker may profit by using the means. For by meditation the judgement is refined, the wit helped, the memory strengthened, and stirreth up affections, as thus: Is this good? I will do it: Is this the obedience rewarded? I will obey it: Is this forbidden? I will avoid it: Is this threatened with so fearful judgements? I quake and tremble to think of it. By the help of this, many will speak on a sudden, because they speak out of the experience of their own consciences, when the learning of others is in their teachers head, or else in their book. It is then the righteous judgement of God, that we are so unapt to practise, wanting dexterity of wit, bereaved of sound judgement, besides many other punishments, due to the contempt of Gods word, when our own conscience shall accuse us, saying: This good thou mightest have had, this comfort thou mightest have enjoyed, hadst thou meditated on the word.

Againe, because euery member of Christ is annointed with knowledge, according to that measure which the Spirit worketh, as well the hearer as the speaker may profit by vsing the meanes. For by meditation the iudgemēt is refined, the wit helped, the memory strengthened, and stirreth vp affections, as thus: Is this good? I will doe it: Is this the obedience rewarded? I will obey it: Is this forbidden? I will auoide it: Is this threatned with so fearfull iudgements? I quake and tremble to thinke of it. By the helpe of this, many will speake on a sudden, because they speake out of the experience of their owne consciences, when the learning of others is in their teachers head, or else in their booke. It is then the righteous iudgement of God, that we are so vnapt to practise, wanting dexteritie of wit, bereaued of sound iudgement, besides many other punishments, due to the contempt of Gods word, when our owne conscience shall accuse vs, saying: This good thou mightest haue had, this comfort thou mightest haue enioyed, hadst thou meditated on the word.

There remaineth the third effect, which is in these words, I am wiser than the ancient, &c. Oh notable wisdom! that made him wiser than grey hairs, which are of longer experience. He doth not compare himself with dotish old men, but the wise Ancients, in whom though not the quickness of wit, yet the pith and marrow of knowledge remaineth. Neither doth he speak this so much to praise himself, as to stir up others. If then we shall see a comely old man, speaking law on the bench, and desire to hear some wise experience, the man of God here telleth us the way, how before those times we may attain unto it. And through the blessing of God on those means, the graces of God shall be greater in young years, if we labour for knowledge, and with knowledge join conscience, and with conscience practise. For the high way to knowledge is to meditate with our knowledge, and to tremble in our hearts, at the majesty of the word, not ceasing to labour with our selves, until by musing we have felt some comfort. Here of it proveth, that they which have heard the word of God but a year, have more profited than they which have heard it six years. For unto him that hath, more shall be given, and from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken from him. If we observe it, we shall find profane Protestants, who now have seen three Governments, which both are ignorant in knowledge,