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,…

Now let us first carry away the lesson, namely, to apply that particularly to ourselves,¹ which we hear, read, or received of others generally. And as he seeing the peace of the ⟨p. 591⟩godly generally, laboured to feel the same in himself particularly: even so we are not to satisfy our selves with the general threatenings of the law, and promises of the Gospel, but to make them several and particular to our selves. We see whatsoever the law teacheth generally; the prophecies inculcate particularly, whether it be in threatenings or promises, in things commanded or forbidden. Wherefore let every man desire of God that he may be a Prophet to himself, by laying the line of the word to his own conscience, in this or such like manner: This thing the Lord commanded, therefore I must do it, for he commandeth me; this thing the word forbiddeth, therefore I must avoid it, for it is forbidden me: this the Lord threateneth to such a sinner, if I lie in that sin, I am to fear it: this the Gospel promiseth to them that repent; then I hope upon repentance to feel the comfort of it. For this is the true use of hearing, when by this mean we are either comforted and encouraged to do well, or terrified and dismayed to do ill.

Now let vs first carrie away the lesson, namely, to apply that particularly to ourselues,¹ which wee heare, reade, or receiud of others generally. And as he seeing the peace of the ⟨p. 591⟩godly generally, laboured to feele the same in himselfe particularly: euen so we are not to satisfie our selues with the generall threatnings of the law, and promises of the Gospell, but to make them seuerall and particular to our selues. We see whatsoeuer the law teacheth generally; the prophecies inculcate particularly, whether it be in threatnings or promises, in things commanded or forbidden. Wherefore let euery man desire of God that he may be a Prophet to himselfe, by laying the line of the word to his owne conscience, in this or such like manner: This thing the Lord commanded, therefore I must doe it, for he commandeth me; this thing the word forbiddeth, therefore I must auoide it, for it is forbidden me: this the Lord threatneth to such a sinner, if I lie in that sin, I am to feare it: this the Gospell promiseth to them that repent; then I hope vpon repentance to feele the comfort of it. For this is the true vse of hearing, when by this meane we are either comforted and incouraged to doe well, or terrified and dismaied to doe ill.