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,…

19 It is far otherwise in our Christian profession, than in the profession of other Arts. Physicians love to have some secret experiments, wherein they have a singularity, and¹ which in their life they will communicate to none. Lawyers have some points, which they will not make common, but keep for present and private gain. But this is rather a note of pride and of a conceited mind in heavenly things, than of godliness. For as true godliness forewarneth others of that sin, the sting, torment, & filthiness whereof we have found; so it traineth up others to that fruit of holiness, whose beauty, glory and excellency we have both tasted and proved.

19 It is farre otherwise in our Christian profession, than in the profession of other Arts. Physitians loue to haue some secret experiments, wherein they haue a singularitie, and¹ which in their life they will communicate to none. Lawyers haue some points, which they will not make common, but keepe for present and priuate gaine. But this is rather a note of pride and of a conceited minde in heauenly things, than of godlinesse. For as true godlinesse forewarneth others of that sinne, the sting, torment, & filthinesse whereof we haue found; so it traineth vp others to that fruit of holinesse, whose beautie, glorie and excellencie we haue both tasted and proued.

1. 1How Christians should communicate good things.

20 It ever hath been and is, that prayer, or coming to the divine Service, as they call it, and resorting to the Sacraments have been more accounted of, than the word, & hearing of it preached. Many of superstition may thus come to prayer, and of custom resort to the Sacrament, who either do not at all hear the word, or else they hear it at their leisure, or else they do it but in ceremony without understanding; or if they understand it,