A02178:4919
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.
4 In good works we must not only be wrought upon as patients, but work as agents.1 ⟨p. 827⟩There be three special signs of good works: first, a good work must have it foundation2 in the word, for a good work is grounded on a good word, and every plant, that is not planted in God his Eden, shall be plucked up. In vain we worship the Lord, with our3 own traditions, whatsoever thou doest, do it, because God commandeth thee. Now because wicked men may do good things, as sacrifice, hear the word, pray, build houses, use hospitality, &c. we must next see whether these be apples of the tree of faith or no, which only purifieth the heart, Act. 15. and even makes the actions pure. Kain kneeleth at the altar,4 Habel kneeleth at the altar, both sacrifice, both obey the commandments, in both the same work according to the same word: but the one offers in faith, the other not. Chore offered his sacrifice, Aaron offers his sacrifice, the same work, but not the same faith. Esau losing the blessing wept, Peter losing Christ wept: here are tears alike, but not in truth alike. Judas said peccavi. David said peccavi: here is repentance, the work like, the faith unlike. Yea again, as we must look to have a writ from the Lord, and with a good writ have5 a good heart; so we must beware we look not at these things with a squint eye. The Pharisee prayeth in the market places, he would have a good work in hand, but his heart was not right, it was mixed with a little leaven of vain-glory. Here then falls all the great works of Papists, who will pluck part of their salvation from God, and make the Lord to become debtor to them, whereas even the very works of Christ without the promise could never have merited salvation. We must say rather, my well doing O Lord, extendeth not unto thee, all that I do, is nothing, I am still an unprofitable servant. Now all men must do good works, for the law being written for all, shall be exacted of all. Under the steward we are all contained, we must all appear, we must give an account, every tree, that bringeth not forth fruit, as well the vast oak of Bashan, as the low shrub shall be all cast into the fire. It still runs in an universality, yea the very reprobate must do well, and though he cannot attain heaven, yet his condemnation is not so deep, his worm is not so sore, his stripes are not so many.