A02178:3898
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.
Vers. 6. The scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is eas• for him that will understand.
Vers. 6. The skorner seeketh wisedome, and findeth it not: but knowledge is eas• for him that will vnderstand.
BY the scorner is here meant the proud & contemptuous man, who in the pride of his wit will compass any thing, neglecting, yea contemning those holy means which1 God hath ordained. This proud and contemptuous scorner shall not find knowledge. By knowledge we may understand, not the knowledge of the letter floating in the brain, and flowing even at the tongues end (which indeed is not worthy the name of knowledge:) but the true understanding of the word taught by the spirit, which entereth into the heart, and worketh on the affections, frameth to obedience, and assureth of everlasting life. This indeed is healthful knowledge, which the scorners though they seek, shall2 never obtain. And hereunto doth our Saviour Christ give witness when he saith: Many shall seek to enter in, and cannot. Now if we would see the cause hereof, it is this, they do refuse the right and direct means whereby to come to knowledge, or else use the means with corrupted hearts. For if they seek and search in the profane writings of Heathen men, or in the corrupted writings of hellish heretics, no marvel if they never find this knowledge. For how can they find trueth in falsehood? How can they find the true knowledge of God in the feigned devises and inventions of men? Again, though they cast off all these, and come to the holy word of God: yet if their hearts be not sound and right; if they seek profit, preferment, and vain pleasure, doubtless they shall never attain to this holy knowledge. For sure if the heart be corrupted when they come to study upon the word, they shall be made worse and not better by it. The experience of this do we see in many, who seeking and searching after knowledge, either to get livings, or to gain credit, or to some such like evil and corrupt end; they have been disappointed of their hope, and have failed of that which they sought after. By the example of others then let us beware and learn to seek after the knowledge of God and of godliness in the written word of God, which only is able to make us godly. Again, above all things let us take heed unto our hearts, that they be upright and sound in seeking for it. Now for the trial hereof, let us examine whether we seek knowledge, that we might be better able to glorify God, and to profit our brethren: let us examine whether we seek Christ for Christ: