A02178:3760
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.
The words in their original tongue signify thus much: I have waited for thy salvation. Wherein is commended unto us a special effect of faith, which must be seen in waiting1 for that which is promised. The first general truth that we must here take profit by, is, that if we will keep a good conscience, we must have a sound faith, which breedeth a good conscience, and without which it is impossible to please God. If we then will do good things, we must believe in God, as the author of all goodness, wisdom, and eternity, and that he hath made a sweet covenant with us, and believing this to be true, we must labour to keep his commandments. For without this faith, we do good or avoid ill, either for hope of reward, or for fear of ill: so that our obedience is violent, constrained, and not free. He believed not only, but also looked patiently for those promises, which is here showed by waiting. For many say, they love the word who do not in truth believe it; or if they believe it, as they will say, they do not patiently wait for it, and many think they fear God, who worship rather an Idol, and stay not themselves on God his promises. Many so persuade themselves to have faith, who will make haste that God should presently help: which if it come not, they withdraw themselves, & seek means to serve themselves. These declare themselves not to have this waiting faith. Faith (saith the holy Ghost, Heb. 11. 1.) is the ground of things which are hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen. So that it is a thing which bringeth us to the hope of that, which afterward we shall possess. As he that believeth shall live by faith: so he that waiteth not on the Lord, hath no true faith, because he will not tarry for the Lords appointed time, but will provide for himself. The Prophet saith, Isaiah. 30. 18. Blessed are all they that wait for the Lord. And Habac. 2. 3. Though the vision tarry, (saith the Lord) w•ite: for it shall surely come and not stay. Again, it is said Psal. 147. 11. The Lord delighteth in them that fear him, and attend upon his mercy. A doctrine worthy to be written with the Diamond of God his Spirit in our hearts. This then is one of the chiefest effects of faith, when we wait on the Lords leisure, and make a distinction of the time of making and accomplishing Gods promises unto us.