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,…

And here see how the faith of Gods children differeth from the loose imaginations of the wicked, who, though they give great titles to the Lord of his mercy, justice, love, and providence, never look for this in his word. But if we will obey the Lord, and wait upon his promises, we must do it by the word, which is as a pipe, through which do flow Gods ⟨p. 493⟩graces towards us, and as a chariot to bring his will unto us. We are not then to look into the air, or elsewhere for Gods will, than in his word; but trusting still on God, we must look for help in his promises.

And here see how the faith of Gods children differeth from the loose imaginations of the wicked, who, though they giue great titles to the Lord of his mercie, iustice, loue, and prouidence, neuer looke for this in his word. But if we will obey the Lord, and waite vpon his promises, we must doe it by the word, which is as a pipe, through which doe flow Gods ⟨p. 493⟩graces towards vs, and as a chariot to bring his will vnto vs. Wee are not then to looke into the ayre, or elsewhere for Gods will, than in his word; but trusting still on God, wee must looke for helpe in his promises.

That the man of God might do this the better, he severed himself from the wicked, giving us to understand, that he could not go forward, in that he saw so few examples of good, and so many examples of evil, whereby so many by paths are ministered unto him to step out of the right way, in seeing the corruptions of that generation. When we see then out of the word how we should believe, what we should do, what we should eschew, and look into the world, we shall find so many wicked ones, that which way soever a man would turn himself, although he would search the world with a candle, he shall find many evil to corrupt him, but few good to guide him. And seeing our times are worse, than the times wherein the Prophet lived, and we are easier and readier to take harm by evil examples, than he was; we must know, that whosoever will be truly taught to hate vain inventions, and love the word of God, he must learn that which is written in the first Psalm, that is, that we walk not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners. Away then with them that say, the Preacher indeed speaketh well, and teacheth the truth aright, but who doth it? and rather let us bid the evil away from us, let us follow them that do well, so far as they follow Christ and his word, let us be heedful to look to our ways, and be the more careful, because in former ages the Lord hath set before us so many examples of falling. We may communicate with them in our calling, we may be knit to them by consanguinity we may be joined with them in affinity, and as neighbours dwell together, we cannot in these things be well free from them: yet we must not deal with them as they be wicked, we must not draw in the yoke with them, we must not be given to the like studies, to the like endeavours, and enterprises with them. Concerning their calling in the world, we may use them, but not according to their corrupt dealing with the world. We see the Prophet his meaning is, Away from me ye wicked, ye weaken my faith in Gods promises by your inventions, you enkindle mistrust in me, I will not yield to you, I will not consent to you, nor take part in any of your inventions: for I trust in my God, he is my shield, and my refuge.