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,…

Otherwise it must be supposed, that Mary was as careful an housewife as Martha, for else undoubtedly our Saviour Christ would not have so commended her for wisely discerning the times, especially seeing the holy Scriptures count them worse than infidels, which will not provide for their families.

Otherwise it must be supposed, that Mary was as carefull an huswife as Martha, for els vndoubtedly our Sauiour Christ would not haue so commended her for wisely discerning the times, especially seeing the holy Scriptures count them worse than infidels, which will not prouide for their families.

But this doctrine is sweet to them that maintain it, that thereby they might avoid all¹ laborious callings, and all crosses which commonly accompany the same. •or it is the subtle policy of Satan, when he cannot get us to neglect prayer, to endeavour to bring us preposterously to use and frequent prayer, by causing us to lay aside our callings; which according to Gods holy ordinance we had professed: wherefore let us labour in this wisdom of the spirit wholly to take up the Sabbath to the Lord, and so d•u••e our other times, as we may still persevere in our callings, which if we do, we shall have better motions, and not incur so dangerous opinions as we should do, if we gave our selves to continual reading and praying. But shall we speak of this doctrine in this our age, which rather needeth² a spur than a bridle? wherein many pray but obtain not, because they are not diligent: many hear but are fruitless, because they use no diligence. For besides that they want this wisdom of the Sabbath, that that is appointed for the growing of their souls, is spent in worldly cares. These kind of men have their souls very barren, who neither use the Sabbath, nor redeem other times of their callings, to bestow any thing in hearing or praying: or if happily they do hear, they rather make it a matter to arpe at, than to be instructed by it. These men as they will hear no true things, so they will hear false; and though they will mark no good things, yet they will mark ill things: not that there is any thing false or ill in the word; but in that as to an humble spirited man the Lord maketh the word the savour of life unto life: so unto them that are ill minded, the Lord maketh it the savour of death unto death, and giveth them over in the pride of their hearts unto Satan, that he may delude them; by deceivable colours For many will be ready in hearing to snatch at this and that, if any thing may make to cloak their licentiousness; who as they have itching ears, and greedy minds to hunt after evil: so by the just judgement of God, they fall into the misunderstanding of the word.