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,…

This ought to be for our instruction, that though we be not conscious in our selves of any gross disobedience, or palpable unbelief; yet we must pray for a further sight of the law, & finding our unbelief, we must crave of God that we may be more stayed in his promises. Perseverance is an excellent thing, especially when Gods promises are delayed, and we in greatest danger, then is the sure trial both of our knowledge and faith. We are also taught here, that whatsoever good things we have, we have them not, as to lock them up in our possession, but seeing we may shrink away and make shipwreck both of faith and a good conscience, we must pray to have a greater knowledge of the statutes of the Lord, and a greater faith in his promises. And here is to be noted, how the Prophet desiring a greater knowledge of Gods testimonies: he doth not so much desire any corporal relief against his enemies, as spiritual resistance against his unbelief, teaching us, that in peril we should especially crave the true understanding of Gods will, that having gotten that, we may have all other things, as it shall please the Lord. Here we see a great difference¹ betwixt the faith of Gods children, and the presumption of the wicked: flesh and blood after long trial either cast off all welldoing, and persevering in obedience, or else labour to weaken our faith; but in God his children it must not so prevail, either to the staying of their obedience, or hindering of their faith. For flesh and blood in all troubles seek to be released from them, but Gods children are taught to possess their souls in patience, and above all, crave that faith, which pleaseth God, and that obedience, which is most acceptable unto him.

This ought to be for our instruction, that though we be not conscious in our selues of any grosse disobedience, or palpable vnbeleefe; yet we must pray for a further sight of the law, & finding our vnbeleefe, we must craue of God that we may be more staied in his promises. Perseuerance is an excellent thing, especially when Gods promises are delaied, and we in greatest danger, then is the sure triall both of our knowledge and faith. We are also taught here, that whatsoeuer good things we haue, we haue them not, as to locke them vp in our possession, but seeing wee may shrinke away and make shipwracke both of faith and a good conscience, we must pray to haue a greater knowledge of the statutes of the Lord, and a greater faith in his promises. And here is to be noted, how the Prophet desiring a greater knowledge of Gods testimonies: he doth not so much desire any corporall reliefe against his enemies, as spirituall resistance against his vnbeliefe, teaching vs, that in perill we should especially craue the true vnderstanding of Gods will, that hauing gotten that, we may haue all other things, as it shall please the Lord. Here we see a great difference