A02178:3189
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.
Now, where some take this to be a place from whence they might either draw an argument1 of free will, or prove by it that we are able to keep the law of God: they deceive themselves: for first, note the word here used, he saith not that he hath sworn to keep the law of God, but the judgements of God, which he often before & after in the second verse from this useth, for the righteous performance of Gods promises, or executing of his just ⟨p. 478⟩vengeance; neither doth he mean here a simple keeping of them, but rather an inward and careful receiving of them in his heart, and not an outward performance. Thus the word (keeping) is often taken in the holy Scriptures, even for a laying up of the truth in our mind, from whence we may draw out the use of it, as occasion shall serve; as where it is said, Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it: that is, faithfully lay it up in their hearts, with a full intent to practise▪ when God shall give just occasion thereof. So that the meaning of this word is nothing else, but a solemn laying up of the judgements of God in his mind, mentioned also before, portion 3. 6▪ Remove from me shame and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies. So that he showeth, how he did mark diligently how God fulfilled his promises to his children, and executed vengeance upon the wicked. And because the fulfilling of Gods promises, is to give strength to his to keep the word, he showeth, how he would take a view, how God performed this grace in his servants, both in forgiving the sins of the repentant, and giving his grace to them that crave it.
Now, where some take this to be a place from whence they might either draw an argument1 of free will, or proue by it that we are able to keepe the lawe of God: they deceiue themselues: for first, note the word here vsed, he saith not that he hath sworne to keepe the law of God, but the iudgements of God, which he often before & after in the second verse from this vseth, for the righteous performance of Gods promises, or executing of his iust ⟨p. 478⟩