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,…

Then if we see, that even the man of God thought this to be a necessary mean to stir up his infirmities, why should we not think it as necessary for us? when the most diligent amongst us, may think himself to be behind him in many degrees. But the cause why we make no such oath, is, because we are fearful, and our delaying of this practise from time to time showeth, that there is not in us that feeling of our wants, that reverence of his word, nor experience of his goodness, which he felt.

Then if we see, that euen the man of God thought this to be a necessary meane to stirre vp his infirmities, why should we not thinke it as necessarie for vs? when the most diligent amongst vs, may thinke himselfe to bee behind him in many degrees. But the cause why we make no such oath, is, because we are fearefull, and our delaying of this practise from time to time sheweth, that there is not in vs that feeling of our wants, that reuerence of his word, nor experience of his goodnesse, which he felt.

This must make us afraid, and ashamed of our selves, that we having the like infirmities, have not the like affections. True it is, that to be sparing in these oaths, is a good token of a Christian, so that he be but a novice in Christs school (for every man must not use this oath, because he knoweth not his own strength) but we must not always be at A. B. C. and dwell still in the principles of Religion.

This must make vs afraid, and ashamed of our selues, that we hauing the like infirmities, haue not the like affections. True it is, that to be sparing in these othes, is a good token of a Christian, so that he be but a nouice in Christs schoole (for euery man must not vse this oth, because he knoweth not his owne strength) but we must not alwaies be at A. B. C. and dwell still in the principles of Religion.