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,…

But here may seem to mans reason a great repugnance, to the verse aforegoing. The entrance into thy word showeth light and giveth understanding to the simile. For he had showed in the verse going before, that the testimonies of the Lord were wonderful, not in part; ••• meaning that all therein was mystical: and here he saith that the very entrance into Gods word giveth light, and understanding to the simple. We answer that the law, or especially the second table of it may be conceived by reason: but it is nothing so in¹ ••• doctrine of faith, which is here meant in this word testimonies, which we showed to be ⟨p. 520⟩taken for the covenants of God. The doctors of reason, I mean the papists, say the word is not to be taught to the common people, because it is mystical; but they never knew, not by good experience felt, that the Scriptures of God were easy to them, that would submit themselves to them, and use them familiarly. Others indeed may read, see, and hear them: but they shall be as Parables and enigmatical unto them. If then we did see this aright, that that which the wisest man cannot conceive, the simplest souls may attain to, if they will be taught of God, would it not take up our affections? This made our Saviour Christ say: I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the •••• and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so O Father, was it thy good will and pleasure: As if our Saviour Christ should have said, O Lord, I see the wise men have great conceivings, and yet they attain not to thy word; yet to them that are humble and poor of spirit▪ I see thou makest it known. Did our Saviour Christ give thanks for this thing, and shall not we for whose example these things were done? We can give thanks for our wits,² and for our memories: but what is that to the purpose: our wit may rather hinder us, than further us in the true knowledge of the Lord, unless it be humbled and subject to Gods spirit. But here is a great cause of thankfulness, that the simple shall understand these mysteries, not as we showed before, such as have no conceiving at all, but such as acknowledge their simplicity, and hunger after the word: even as we also grant, that wise men shall have this understanding, if they will deny their reason, and stir up affection.