A02178:4853
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.
6 By the example of the Israelites, we are taught to take heed that our hearts be rightly & wholly with God, that not only in the plentiful abundance of things, we can be content to serve him, but also even in want, and in greatest afflictions, knowing that by this means the Lord doth take trial of us, even as silver is tried in the fire, that the dross may be burnt and taken away. Secondly, that the metal be more pure and fine; even so we by such trials should not only have our great corruptions purged, but we should also be made more fit for the use and service of the Lord. For of our selves whether we be tempted on the right hand, or on the left, we are not able to stand, as we see in the Israelites. So long as the Lord continueth true Religion with this government, every man thinketh he shall ever stand: but when there shall come a change, there will be a trial: so when God showeth us tokens of his love, we may think we trust in him, but when he denieth1 these tokens unto us; there is the trial. When the children of Israel were either in a moderate estate, or in some new deliverance, they lived very godly, and are commended, but if abundance of things did once make them wanton, they fell to Idolatry, and when they were in misery they murmured: where we see that it is easy to come to general obedience, but in particular to embrace it in every place and time, this is harder. Again, that is ⟨p. 815⟩only true faith, which in trouble and want holdeth out constantly, and faileth not for any temptation.
6 By the example of the Israelities, we are taught to take heed that our hearts be rightly & wholy with God, that not onely in the plentifull abundance of things, we can be content to serue him, but also euen in want, and in greatest afflictions, knowing that by this meanes the Lord doth take triall of vs, euen as siluer is tried in the fire, that the drosse may bee burnt and taken away. Secondly, that the mettall bee more pure and fine; euen so wee by such trials should not onely haue our great corruptions purged, but wee should also bee made more fit for the vse and seruice of the Lord. For of our selues whether we be tempted on the right hand, or on the left, wee are not able to stand, as we see in the Israelites. So long as the Lord continueth true Religiō with this gouernment, euery man thinketh he shall euer stand: but when there shall come a change, there will be a triall: so when God sheweth vs tokens of his loue, wee may thinke we trust in him, but when hee denieth