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,…

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.

That the man of God might do this the better, he seuered himselfe from the wicked, giuing vs to vnderstand, that he could not goe forward, in that hee saw so few examples of good, and so many examples of euill, whereby so many by paths are ministred vnto him to step out of the right way, in seeing the corruptions of that generation. When wee see then out of the word how we should beleeue, what we should doe, what we should eschue, and looke into the world, wee shall finde so many wicked ones, that which way soeuer a man would turne himselfe, although hee would search the world with a candle, hee shall finde many euill to corrupt him, but fewe good to guide him. And seeing our times are worse, than the times wherein the Prophet liued, and wee are easier and readier to take harme by euill examples, than he was; we must know, that whosoeuer will be truly taught to hate vaine inuentions, and loue the word of God, he must learne that which is written in the first Psalme, that is, that we walke not in the counsell 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 vs bid the euill away from vs, let vs followe them that doe well, so farre as they follow Christ and his word, let vs be heedfull to looke to our waies, and be the more careful, because in former ages the Lord hath set before vs so many examples of falling. Wee may communicate with them in our calling, wee may be knit to them by consanguinitie wee may bee ioyned with them in affinitie, and as neighbours dwell together, we cannot in these things bee well free from them: yet we must not deale with them as they be wicked, we must not drawe in the yoke with them, we must not be giuen to the like studies, to the like endeuours, and enterprises with them. Concerning their calling in the world, wee may vse them, but not according to their corrupt dealing with the world. Wee see the Prophet his meaning is, Away from me ye wicked, ye weaken my faith in Gods promises by your inuentions, you inkindle mistrust in me, I will not yeeld to you, I will not consent to you, nor take part in any of your inuentions: for I trust in my God, he is my shield, and my refuge.