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 matter which is contained in this verse, hath been often repeated¹ in the Chapters before, yet here again it is necessarily repeated: for in these matters besides our great dullness and negligence, we are so ready to deceive our selves, and to think we love the Word when we do not, and do persuade our selves in our own imaginations, that we have laid fast hold of Wisdom, when indeed we have neither touched▪ nor tasted it. Therefore that we might beware of this, he repeateth that which he had spoken before in most effectual and significant speeches. For the word which is here translated, lay hold, doth signify to lay hold with strength, as we see men that are in peril of drowning, they will lay hold so fast² upon a thing, that their hands may be sooner broken then loosed: all their power for the present time is in their hands, and they will most surely hold fast that they catch in their hands; In like manner must we lay hold upon Wisdom with our heart, with such strength and power must we catch hold of it, that nothing whatsoever be able to separate us from it. This is the first thing whereunto we are here exhorted. The second must necessarily be joined to this: which is, that we do not leave it for any thing, but keep it as fast as we hold it.

THE matter which is contained in this verse, hath beene often repeated¹ in the Chapters before, yet here againe it is necessarily repeated: for in these matters besides our great dulnesse and negligence, wee are so readie to deceiue our selues, and to thinke wee loue the Word when we doe not, and doe perswade our selues in our owne imaginations, that wee haue laide fast holde of Wisedome, when indeed we haue neither touched▪ nor tasted it. Therefore that wee might beware of this, hee repeateth that which he had spoken before in most effectuall and significant speeches. For the word which is here translated, lay holde, doth signifie to lay hold with strength, as we see men that are in perill of drowning, they will lay hold so fast² vpon a thing, that their hands may be sooner broken then loosed: all their power for the present time is in their hands, and they will most surely holde fast that they catch in their hands; In like manner must wee lay holde vpon Wisedome with our heart, with such strength and power must we catch hold of it, that nothing whatsoeuer be able to separate vs from it. This is the first thing whereunto we are here exhorted. The second must necessarily be ioyned to this: which is, that we doe not leaue it for any thing, but keepe it as fast as we hold it.