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,…

Thirdly: In whom these effects of the word are found? Both in the godly and in the wicked, though not alike. Where we must know, that there is a feeling in both of these men, which is inward and not seen. Secondly, this power is not always presently felt, but it worketh in God his appointed time. We shall see the word will often strike the ungodly, though they be loth to hear; and although when they have heard, they would shake it off, by inglutting their hearts with eating, drinking, and sleeping, yet it will wring them on their beds, at their tables, in their chambers, when they are with their companions. And although God his dear children do not always feel this power to salvation, yet they have it in greater measure at one time or at another.

Thirdly: In whom these effects of the word are found? Both in the godly and in the wicked, though not alike. Where we must know, that there is a feeling in both of these men, which is inward and not seene. Secondly, this power is not alwaies presently felt, but it worketh in God his appointed time. We shall see the word will often strike the vngodly, though they be loth to heare; and although when they haue heard, they would shake it off, by inglutting their hearts with eating, drinking, and sleeping, yet it will wring them on their beds, at their tables, in their chambers, when they are with their companions. And although God his deare children do not alwaies feele this power to saluation, yet they haue it in greater measure at one time or at another.

Hence observe three uses. First, we must come to know the word. For the devil moveth this fearful question unto many: How knowest thou this is the word, rather than any other doctrine? To leave gross heresies, I answer by an interrogatory. Whose words, if he were but a man, and spake as a man alone, did ever drive thee to hell? whose words, did ever rip up thy secret and close sins? who hath drawn tears out of thine eyes and sorrow out of thy heart with a conscience of thy sin, at which thou wert wont to laugh? Whose words have taken thee from the hell of thy conscience, to heaven? who hath given thee joy in sorrow, comfort in trouble? What words of Philosophers can make of a Leopard a Lamb, of a viper a child, of a lecher a chaste person, of a covetous carle a liberal man? All eloquent Orators without the word, are bare Physicians to a troubled mind.