A02178:3399
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.
For as all wise men shall not be debarred from this privilege; so all simple men shall not be preferred thereunto▪ For neither wisdom in it self, nor simplicity in it own nature, do either further or hinder hereunto But alas, I see how loath men would be, to lose their worldly wit, and how they seek after praise and commendation for the same; but few, either with like affection desire spiritual understanding; or sorrow, in any like measure, when they have it not. Deut. 4. 6. That is your understanding and wisdom in the sight of the people saith A Moses, That the Lord permitteth you so near to approach to him, and to be taught his ordinances and laws. What then mean these speeches of them, that hunt so much after worldly wit? Why, do you think I am a fool? Do you think I am an ass, and have no wit to conceive what things be, as well as other men? Do you count me but a dull head? Surely they are too proud, and too much blinded in their own conceits. Wherefore the Prophet doth show us, that as the mysteries of Gods word are revealed to them that are simple of understanding; so are they to them that are zealous in affection. The cause then why we do no more profit by the word, is because we do not deny our reason, we have not affections that hunger after it, nor love to make us pant for it, which things if we did, we should surely be satisfied.
For as all wise men shal not be debarred from this priuiledge; so all simple men shal not be preferred thereunto▪ For neither wisedome in it selfe, nor simplicitie in it owne nature, doe either further or hinder hereunto But alas, I see how loath men would bee, to lose their worldly wit, and how they seeke after praise and commendation for the same; but few, eyther with like affection desire spirituall vnderstanding; or sorrow, in any like measure, when they haue it not. Deut. 4. 6. That is your vnderstanding and wisedome in the sight of the people saith A Moses, That the Lord permitteth you so neere to approch to him, and to bee taught his ordinances and lawes. What then meane these speeches of them, that hunt so much after worldly wit? Why, doe you thinke I am a foole? Doe you thinke I am an asse, and haue no wit to conceiue what things be, as well as other men? Doe you count me but a dul head? Surely they are too proud, and too much blinded in their owne conceits. Wherfore the Prophet doth shew vs, that as the mysteries of Gods word are reuealed to them that are simple of vnderstanding; so are they to thē that are zealous in affectiō. The cause then why we do no more profit by the word, is because wee doe not denie our reason, wee haue not affections that hunger after it, nor loue to make vs pant for it, which things if we did, we should surely be satisfied.