A02178:5163
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.
I know that the benefits of this life are common for the most part, both to the reprobate1 and to the elect; yet both in those which are common, there is a great and large difference, and there are some so singular as carry with them a stronger testimony of the favour of God, than that it may without impiety be denied. In common benefits it holdeth, that as things most adverse are yet turned unto our good, so much more the good gifts and blessings of God do carry with them a testimony of his love and favour towards us. For as the Lord speaketh unto us in the word and by his spirit; so his good and fatherly2 providence towards us, is not without voice, but soundeth aloud unto the declaration of his love. But there are (as I said) some benefits so special, that the use of them is proper only unto his children. Remember with me the first time of this trouble & dismaying of your conscience; and remember withal how many means the Lord hath ministered unto you for your comfort What shall I say of those whom the Lord hath put even into your bosom, the more nearer to apply his mercy unto you, Master C. Master B. Master R. &c. all so furnished unto your comfort, that you may well think, they were as so many hands stretched out from heaven to support and strengthen your weakness withal? If I should set myself to remember how many other the servants of God have by divine providence ⟨p. 877⟩been directed to minister comfort unto you, the number would be innumerable: Master S. 3Master F. Master D. Master B. Master G. Master G. and almost who not, of those that have been trained and brought up in that school. Consider how great a mercy this hath been, that so many excellent Physicians of the soul, should at several times apply themselves, if not unto the cure, at the least unto the mitigating of your disease, I will not examine how many and great comforts you have received from them by word in presence, and by letters in absence: this only I ask of you, whether you have not known all these to bear unto you the same testimony, to speak the same comfort, and to confirm you in the same assurance of the love of God towards you?