A02178:5005
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.
CHAP. XV. Of Justification.
CHAP. XV. Of Iustification.
When we speak of growing up in the fear of God, the word so translated seemeth to be a word of quarrel and controversy, between the maintainers of mans justification by works and us, who either do, or would seem to empty men of all opinion of inherent righteousness, that there might be nothing left in us, but the glory wholly be given to God. For they would have it, that we should perfect our holiness,1 and so they ground, that we by holiness might come to perfection. Now concerning2 this their perfection, which like proctors they so patronage, if we ask any of them, if he be that perfect man or no, there hath not been any found that would take it upon him, they cannot find us among their manifold orders; one that is so perfect, nay they deny them this perfection: which thing if they do in civill modesty, thinking they can do it, and will not acknowledge it, they lye both to God and the world. All the quarrel is this, I do not dispute saith the defendant, whether I be perfect or not perfect, but I affirm that some have attained this perfection: who be they? Here they bring especially their two old fathers, Zechariah and Simeon, who were men fearing God, holy, and just, and therefore perfect: and thus they think men are not so much to be abased as we think they are. Now to bear out this point, if we might stand in it, I mean of growing up to perfection, the very opinion of the Catharoi (such as were indeed the Puritans in the Primitive Church)3 would not challenge this so arrogantly as they do. Many reasons may be made against them, but we will use that one of the holy Ghost himself, even in that place, where they stand upon their guard, 2. Cor. 7. 1. where we be taught that such men as they would have perfect, must have also promises: we know to whom a promise doth appertain, being of free grace, not to men of perfection, for grace is not needful to such. I would know therefore what perfect man needeth promises, for a promise is of free grace. This seemeth to be enough to overthrow this perfection of holiness, for even such men, saith Paul, need promises.