A02178:3620
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 doctrine is easy to be heard, but hard to be practised. Well; then this is true wisdom1 to choose the Sabbath wholly to be spent in the word and prayer from morning to night: and so to divide the seasons in the other days of the week, as with David and Daniel▪ we may pray at morning, noontide, and evening, and that therewith we have a special care to bestow the rest of our time in walking in our calling. For as there is a time of hearing, so there is a time of putting that in use which we have heard: as there is a Sabbath for Gods own worship; so there is six days for us to labour in: and as there is a time of praying; so there is also a time of practising. Neither would the Lord have us always reading, hearing, or praying; but after we have read, heard, and prayed, to show forth the fri•• of them in our conversation to his glory. And as heretics in the primitive Church, and since that ⟨p. 563⟩time Monks and Friars have laboured to teach a continual praying; so even at this day Satan bewitched the hearts of many with that persuasion; wherefore we must know, that the Lord will have obedience, rather than sacrifice, and mercy more than burnt offerings. For why do we hear, but to learn obedience? and why do we pray, but to put2 our prayer in practise? or why have we knowledge, but to use it to Gods glory? Neither doth that saying of our Saviour Christ to Martha vithstand this doctrine, although many heretics have both objected and perverted this place, to make it serve their purpose; who falsely allege the place, saying, Mary hath chosen the better part; whereas the true words are, Mary hath chosen the good part: in which place Martha was not reproved in that she was a good housewife, or for that she entertained Christ; but for overmuch labouring in her housewifery and entertainment, at such time as she should have been better occupied. Neither was Mary commended for that she did nothing but hear and pray; but for her wisdom, in hearing Christ carefully at that time when he preached; and in that she knew, that Christ did less care, and would be better satisfied, though her provision was more slender, than that to more solemn preparation, they should neglect the doctrine, which was the foo•e of their souls.