A02178:3794
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.
Now in that he repeateth the same thing, he showeth, that certainly God hath promised to help and relieve his necessity. Neither must we think that this promise was made to David alone, who alone had not such infirmities, but he speaketh as a member of the Church: for the promise appertaineth to the Church, & to all in the Church universally; Howbeit, look what the Lord had promised to all generally, he applieth to himself particularly.1 For we may see both in this Psalm, Port 17▪ 2. The entrance into thy word showeth light, and giveth understanding to the simple; as also Psal. 19. 7. The testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth light to the simple: that the promise is general, and as well appertaineth to us as to him. So that the meaning of this latter part is nothing else but this; as thou hast promised to give knowledge to them that seek it, so Lord give it me: for I thus seek it. Thus we see how needful it is to have knowledge of God his word, seeing none obtain but they that pray, according as God hath promised in his word, according to that Joh. 5. 4 This is the assurance that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. Ye ask, saith S. James, cap. 4. 3▪ and receive not, because ye ask amiss. We must not pray then for every fantasy, and for every grace that cometh into our minds, but for those things for which we are taught to pray according to the word. But how can we do this without knowledge? how should we pray to him, in whom we have not believed? or how2 should we believe in him, whom we have not known? Whosoever then will pray aright, must pray in faith, and he that will pray in faith, must also pray in knowledge.
Now in that he repeateth the same thing, he sheweth, that certainly God hath promised to helpe and relieue his necessitie. Neither must we thinke that this promise was made to Dauid alone, who alone had not such infirmities, but hee speaketh as a member of the Church: for the promise appertaineth to the Church, & to all in the Church vniuersally; Howbeit, looke what the Lord had promised to all generally, he applieth to himselfe particularly.