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,…

4 We must be prepared to receive the Lords Supper with sincerity and holiness, which¹ is the truth of the ceremony of unleavened bread: for unleavened bread had first respect to true doctrine, as our Saviour Christ himself expoundeth it; Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. And this teacheth us not only to beware of all false doctrine, as the doctrine of the Papists, or such like, which in it self is evil, but also to beware that we be not defiled² with the corruption of the true doctrine, which in it self is most pure: for the doctrine of the Pharisees was much of it true, yet somewhat mingled and otherwise defaced: and this corruption of true doctrine is called leaven, because if it be suffered it will corrupt the whole. Secondly, this hath respect to maliciousness: for so Paul expounded it, The leaven of maliciousness, ³where also not only the gross sins are said to be of the nature of leaven, but even⁴ the very roots of sin & maliciousness. Contrary to this are we commanded to come in a pure and sound religion and doctrine, also in sincerity and trueth of heart, having respect unto, and having a desire to fulfil all the commandments of God. Thirdly, whereas⁵ it is called the bread of tribulation, Deut. 16. 3. it showeth with what affection we must eat this Passover: namely, that as the poor man hath much pain and labour before he can get bread, so that his hart fainteth with want, or when all taste is gone, by reason of his sickness; and when he hath gotten bread, or findeth nourishment thereby, he even weepeth for joy: so should we even a long time bewail our sins, and repent us of the evil which we have done, and even saint for the desire of JESUS CHRIST, that so we coming to the⁶ table of the Lord being refreshed, may effectually receive grace, and be heartily thankful.