A02178:3424
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.
In that this followeth so immediately his former prayer, that God would look upon him, and be merciful to him, he showeth that there was never any man but he was in danger and most ready to fall, unless God looked on him, and were the more merciful unto him. So that with the gift of perseverance he prayeth for mercy, declaring that unless the Lord would bestow such grace on him, he was not able to continue.
In that this followeth so immediately his former prayer, that God would looke vpon him, and be mercifull to him, he sheweth that there was neuer any man but he was in danger and most readie to fall, vnlesse God looked on him, and were the more mercifull vnto him. So that with the gift of perseuerance hee prayeth for mercie, declaring that vnlesse the Lord would bestow such grace on him, he was not able to continue.
This must stay the pestilent doctrine of the Papists, who foolishly dream, that a man having freewill, may hold forth his course in the right way, and may promise to himself safe1 passage. True it is, Gods children may assure themselves of strength, because the Lord is on their right hand, but so, as they are still to fear their own frailness, and to pray for final perseverance. This verse is all one in effect with the first verse, portion 14. Thy word is a lantern to my feet, and a light unto my paths. In both which places he showeth, that as he that goeth in a dark place or in the night, cannot go on right step, but as he receiveth light from the lantern to see his way, and when he is in never so little darkness, he is in danger and ready to stumble: so we, if we march forward in ignorance and darkness, cannot guide our selves one step to the kingdom of heaven, but as we may have light from the lantern of Gods word, to beware how we tread, and when we swerve never so little from this light, we are in danger of making our conscience to stumble. This borrowed speech goeth then thus far: As he that is in darkness can go no further safely, than he is within the compass of the light of the candle: so according to the measure of our knowledge of Gods word are we able to direct our affections happily, and no further.