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,…

His meaning briefly is this: Lord, seeing thy word is so pure, I love it for it own cause, though nothing come withal; if thou wilt bestow any thing else of thy servant, I thank thee; if not, I love it still; yea though I should suffer discredit for it, I am content. For I love thy word, because it is a pure word, and worthy to be loved, with what cross soever it be accompanied.

HIs meaning briefly is this: Lord, seeing thy word is so pure, I loue it for it owne cause, though nothing come withall; if thou wilt bestowe any thing else of thy seruant, I thanke thee; if not, I loue it still; yea though I should suffer discredit for it, I am content. For I loue thy word, because it is a pure word, and worthie to be loued, with what crosse soeuer it be accompanied.

As the common proverb is; Trueth may be blamed, but trueth can never be ashamed, and iniquity may be ocuered for a time, but yet iniquity one day shall be discovered. It cannot be denied, that it is a singular blessing, which is said of our Saviour Christ, to grow in favour with God and man, and to be loved of both, as it is reported of Samuel: because as it is, Eccles 7. 3. A good name is better than a good ointment, and Prou. 22 1. is to be chosen above great riches, and loving favour is above silver, and above gold: neither can there come a more grievous cross to a liberal nature and stout person, than want of it. Howbeit, to search out the cause of discredit, we must always enter into it, whether our conscience telleth us that we suffer as well doers, not as ill doers. For even the very Heathen said; that a mans conscience is as a theatre in the world. Wherefore if we suffer discredit justly because of sin, it is to be lamented: but when we have faith in Gods promises, and a good conscience flowing from our faith, though we never so much be discredited, it is a small thing. Great is the love of our selves, and great is the care which we have to maintain our credit. For many will be content to hazard their lives, which cannot be content to endanger their good name. For if a man live bereft of his good name, he had almost as live be bereft of his life. And therefore Heretics, as the Family of love, give in precept: that they should rather die, than suffer the credit of their sect to fall. And no marvel: for they see no better life, neither do they feel any true comfort of God in their prosperity, neither can they truly call upon him in their trouble. Thus we see how a name is esteemed in the world.