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,…

15 As reading, hearing, and conferring of the word, do more increase knowledge then feeling: So praying, singing, and meditating, do more increase feeling then knowledge.¹

15 As reading, hearing, and conferring of the word, do more encrease knowledge then feeling: So praying, singing, and meditating, doe more increase feeling then knowledge.¹

1. 1What exercises increase knowledge most, & what feeling. Genes. 46.

16 It is not certain how long after his sacrifice and prayer Jacob received comfort, and therefore we see that the comfort of the Spirit doth not always depend upon the means, neither is bound thereunto, but sometime cometh long after the using of them. As Christ saith of the Husbandmen, that they sow, and look long after for the fruits of the earth: which may teach us comfort, for that our prayers are never in vain, but always granted though sometime long after: and here are those corrected which look for comfort immediately upon their requests, not knowing that sin is the cause why we receive not when we ask, and for that we use not the means aright: this also trieth our obedience, if we will with patience continue using the same means, though presently we feel not the fruit of them, and learn with Mark and the Apostles, to lay up things in our hearts: to try what will come of them afterward. Jacobs vision is not a bare and mute thing, but is joined with¹ the word, and teacheth that all comfort must come out of the word: and therefore what comfort by Sacraments, visions, apparitions, and such like, doth not lead us to the word?²