A02178:4951
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.
Well, if we have ears and hear not the word, then is no difference between a mans ears and an Asses, and it is rather a property of Idols which have ears and hear not, have eyes and see not. And as they that have mouths and speak not, are rather Idol shepherds, than true Pastors: so they that have ears and hear not, are rather Idol gazers, than true hearers of the word. Again, for this cause we must hear, because we hear the most excellent object; the object of the ear is a sound or voice, now the most excellent sound is the sound of the Gospel, the most excellent voice is the voice of the Preacher. Another reason may be, that our members are put to their best use, when they serve most for the glory of God▪ as our feet are put to the best use, when they carry us to the congregation, our ⟨p. 835⟩hands when they are lift up in prayer, our ears when they be hearkening to the word of God: and therefore they provide well for themselves, that early in the morning before they do any thing else, do put out their members to the best use in the worship of God. And surely if there were nothing but the bare word of God delivered unto us, as it is a thing containing the will of God, it were worthy the reading, hearing, and meditating: but when it openeth to us the treasures of salvation, when it teacheth us wisdom, and equity, so as we may be able to discern every affection, it is a thing much more worthy our travel. We think that we may fly up to heaven by the wings of profound knowledge: but, saith the Scripture that learned preaching shall save us? No, the foolishness of preaching must save us, all our salvation must be fetched from hence, & therefore it is worth the hearing, this is Joels trumpet, and of great force. We must learn therefore to use a preparation, without which all our service stinketh before the Lord. When thou enterest into the house of the Lord, look unto thy feet, Eccles. 4. 17. Stand in awe (saith the Prophet) commune with your own hearts▪ Psal. 4. And Job. 1. 6. Job is said to sanctify his sons. 2. Chro. 30. 18. 19. though many of the people had not cleansed themselves, yet Ezechtas prayed for them, that prepared their whole hearts to seek the Lord. But all we rush to the congregation as a fox out of his form.