A02178:3391
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.
Mark here he saith: the […] into thy statutes. Will then the beginning give understanding? what will it do to them that are gone forward in it? what hindereth us, why we go forward no more? but even the too much trusting to our own wits. What? have we such wits in outward matters, and are so gross in matters concerning our salvation? Oh hypocrites saith our Saviour Christ, you can discern the outward seasons, &c. What meaneth then this dullness and deadness in heavenly things, but that men deceive their own souls. For if their wits were sanctified, they would as well conceive spiritual things, as corporal. To do ill, saith Jeremy, this people is wise, but to do good they have no wit. What a curse of God upon our wits is this, that we are so quick in worldly things, and so dull in heavenly things? surely, it is the punishment of the Lord, for the pride of mans reason.
Marke here he saith: the 〈…〉 into thy statutes. Will then the beginning giue vnderstanding? what will it doe to them that are gone forward in it? what hindreth vs, why we goe forward no more? but euen the too much trusting to our owne wits. What? haue we such wits in outward matters, and are so grosse in matters concerning our saluation? Oh hypocrites saith our Sauiour Christ, you can discerne the outward seasons, &c. What meaneth then this dulnes and deadnesse in heauenly things, but that men deceiue their owne soules. For if their wits were sanctified, they would as well conceiue spirituall things, as corporall. To doe ill, saith •eremie, this people is wise, but to doe good they haue no wit. What a curse of God vpon our wits is this, that wee are so quicke in worldly things, and so dull in heauenly things? surely, it is the punishment of the Lord, for the pride of mans reason.
The meaning then of this place is not, that they which are altogether bereaved of discretion, have such a light in the word; but it is understood of them, who being lowly in their own eyes, abase their pride of wit to the pure wisdom of Gods spirit; so that neither the simplicity of the baser sort is any hinderance to the gospel, neither the wisdom of the mighty any thing availeth thereunto, unless it be sanctified, howsoever men brag of an holy foolishness. For Joseph, Job, David and Daniel had good wits, but sanctified, and subject by Gods spirit to the word.