FORWARDNESS
IN GOD'S CAUSE
William
Greenhill
Born in
Oxfordshire,
England,
William Greenhill (1591-1671) was a popular preacher and spiritual guide in
London. He was a member of the Westminster Assembly which met in the 1640's and
he subsequently took part in the Savoy Conference. Ejected from the parish of
Stepney in 1660 he moved on to pastor an Independent church until the time of
his departure from the wilderness of this world.
From
hence take this note, which is very considerable: That it is good to appear
in the cause of God, and to be forward to vindicate his honour and glory, to
stand for him and his people. It is good to vindicate God when he suffereth
in his worship, in his servants, in his cause any way. The tribe of Levi was
forward to vindicate God, and God rewarded them, they had a blessing
that day. So Phinehas was zealous for God; Numb. 25:11-13, "Phinehas,"
saith God, "hath turned away my wrath from the children of Israel,
while he was zealous for my sake among them. –
Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace; and he shall
have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting
priesthood; because he was zealous for his God." If we shall appear in
God's cause, and venture ourselves in his quarrel, we shall never lose by
it. Peter was a man forward, he put forth himself for Christ, he would be
first speaking: when Christ had said, "Whom do you say that I am?"
saith he, "Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God." And
presently Christ fastened a blessing upon him, "Blessed art thou, Simon
Bar-Jonas, flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee. Thou art Peter,
and upon this rock will I build my church." Men that go upon good
grounds, and will lift up God's sabbaths, worship, honour, out of the dust,
though they do hazard lives, estates, or limbs, God will remember it, and
they shall be recompensed. You shall find in Judges 5:18, that "Zebulun
and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto death in the high
places of the field." They went forth, and stood for God and his people
against Jabin and Sisera that came against Israel, and threatened ruin: and,
in Matt. 4:13-15, when Christ cometh, he preacheth the gospel first to them;
God remembereth their kindness, and rewardeth it, though it were long
before. So you may lay the foundation of a mercy for your posterities a
hundred years hence. This should put us on to appear in the cause of God,
whensoever we see idolaters, and the enemies of God, lift up their heads,
and strike at truths, and God in his ordinances and servants. Put forth
yourselves, God will remember you, though you jeopard your very lives.
Reference
“An
Exposition of Ezekiel - William Greenhill," published by The Banner of Truth Trust,
1994. p 15.
