A02178:3171
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.
And why then are we yet so unprofitable? surely because we are not guilty of our own infirmities, and we see not the darkness and blindness which is in us, or if we see it, we feel not our selves pressed with the miserable captivity and bondage, wherein it holdeth our souls. This sight made the Prophet so often use this prayer, Teach me true judgement, teach me true understanding, teach me thy statutes &c. All which repetitions might otherwise have seemed to have bin a vain babbling, had he not used such a narrow sight of his inward corruptions with a desire to be delivered from them, which may condemn us of our darkness, and teach us, that there is no light in us, but by the word.
And why then are we yet so vnprofitable? surely because we are not guiltie of our owne infirmities, and we see not the darkenesse and blindnesse which is in vs, or if wee see it, wee feele not our selues pressed with the miserable captiuitie and bondage, wherein it holdeth our soules. This sight made the Prophet so often vse this prayer, Teach me true iudgement, teach me true vnderstanding, teach me thy statutes &c. All which repetitions might otherwise haue seemed to haue bin a vaine babling, had he not vsed such a narrow sight of his inward corruptions with a desire to be deliuered from them, which may condemne vs of our darknes, and teach vs, that there is no light in vs, but by the word.
Many indeed are of a modest spirit, and have some sight of their ignorance, yet they1 have not a feeling of their misery in particular things, and do not examine themselves in every particular thing, what it is to be in darkness; and therefore, as we have said, do no more desire to be enlightened and governed by another, than he that having a slender eyesight & hardly discerning his way, refuseth to have a guide, as though he were blind. And though the Lord often shineth upon us, and maketh us guilty of our blindness, yet we do not see how loathsome, irksome, and uncomfortable a thing darkness is, nor how pleasant, amiable, and comfortable a thing light is, although we confess in general, that we have not the light but are in darkness.