A02178:3287
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.
We may see in former times, how the dear Saints of God have fallen through security, and for want of this fear of themselves. Noah though a man preserved from the corruptions of the old world, was beguiled of Satan for presuming in his own strength. Lot also through his corruption and Satan's policy, was deceived, not suspecting himself. When David had not this fear, but hoped that he was sure as he thought, Psal. 30. he should never be removed, he fell foully, and yet so deceitful, that he could not see his fall in the space of an whole year. We see then how hard a thing it is to keep on our course in this world, and that it is the mighty power of God, as witnesseth Peter in his former Epistle, that we are kept in the faith. We are not our own guardians, we are not able to take the government of our selves; nay, our Saviour Christ said, that if it were possible, the very elect should be deceived; so great is the power of the world, the subtlety of the ⟨p. 496⟩flesh, and guilefulness of the devil. But, because they be humble, they fear themselves, they seek the Lord by prayer, and are desirous to be established in the promises of God, they are as strong as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but remaineth for ever, Psalm 125.1. Though then we be weak, yet our Christ is strong, though we have many enemies, yet the Lord hath promised to be our stay against them all. Let us know1 that perseverance is as well the gift of God, as to come at first to God. We know what a free gift of God it was, that we came to him. He sought us, when we desired him not; he found us, when we sought him not. We see how before our calling, we closed our eyes, and would not see him, we stopped our ears, and would not hear him, we drew back, and refused to go to him, and the Lord was fain to draw us out; so that our beginning came of God, who reformed our judgements, and renewed our affections: now to be established in seeing, hearing, and willingly drawing near unto God, is his only gift also. Well, we must be afraid of our selves, and suspect our selves. For why do we slip often into such gross sins? why are we carried away with our own affections? why do so many good motions die and perish in us, but only because of our security, we are not careful to please God, we are not afraid to offend God?