A02178:3425
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.
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.
This must stay the pestilent doctrine of the Papists, who foolishly dreame, that a man hauing freewill, may hold forth his course in the right way, and may promise to himselfe safe1 passage. True it is, Gods children may assure themselues of strength, because the Lord is on their right hand, but so, as they are still to feare their owne frailenes, and to pray for finall perseuerance. This verse is all one in effect with the first verse, portion 14. Thy word is a lanterne to my feete, and a light vnto my paths. In both which places hee sheweth, that as hee that goeth in a darke place or in the night, cannot goe on right step, but as hee receiueth light from the lanterne to see his way, and when hee is in neuer so little darkenes, hee is in danger and readie to stumble: so we, if we march forward in ignorance and darkenes, cannot guide our selues one step to the kingdome of heauen, but as wee may haue light from the lanterne of Gods word, to beware how wee tread, and when wee swarue neuer so little from this light, wee are in daunger of making our conscience to stumble. This borrowed speech goeth then thus farre: As he that is in darknes can goe no further safely, than he is within the compasse 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.