Two learned and godly sermons, preached by that reverend and zealous man M. Richard…Two learned and godly sermons, preached by that reuerende and zelous man M. Richard…

Here followeth the second Sermon, as it was preached by M. Richard Greenham. The text as followeth.

Here foloweth the seconde Sermon, as it was preached by M. Richard Greenham. The text as foloweth.

All the doctrine of the Scriptures may be briefly referred to these two heads. First how we may be prepared to receive the spirit of God. Secondly, how the spirit may be retained when we have once received it. And therefore S. Paul having laboured to instruct the Thessalonians, in the former part of this Epistle, how they may receive the spirit, doth here teach them how to keep and continue this spirit unto the end: and this the Apostle doth by giving them a charge and commandment, that in no wise they do quench ⟨image 25⟩the spirit: therefore doubtless teaching, that as the sunning of evil, is the first steppe unto goodness; so the ready way to continue the spirit of God in our hearts, is to labour that it be not quenched. Now the Apostle upon a great and weighty consideration, doth here deliver this precept. For first of all, though all those be worthily and justly condemned, that never tasted of the spirit of God: yet as our saviour Christ saith, A more just and fearful condemnation is like to come upon them, that having once received it, doth afterwards loose the same. Moreover, without this spirit of God, no holy exercise can have his full effect: For, the word worketh not, where the spirit is wanting, prayers have no power to pierce before the presence of God, the sacraments seem small and silly things in our eyes, and all other orders, & exercises which