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 terrible judgements of God against the pride of Moab and other Nations (who conspiring together against the people of God) at the last were made their own executioners, and the great destruction of blasphemous Sennacherib his host. Hezekiah king of Judah being set free from the siege, both these being wrought by public and private fasting, do most evidently confirm the same: which examples may serve for us to look after others which are many in number. True it is indeed that the great security with the floods of our sins flowing over the banks in every place, have hitherto rejoiced our enemies heart; and if once they arm themselves with Gods wrath, (which the Lord turn away for Christs sake) then will they certainly fray us: which to prevent all means will not help us, unless in fasting, weeping, and mourning we rent ⟨p. 213⟩our hearts, though not our garments, unfeignedly acknowledging our sins, & trembling at his judgement, that so we may turn unto God with our whole hearts by repentance, by faith, believing him to be gracious and merciful, slow to wrath, and of great goodness. And this doing, we may assure our selves, that the terror of the Lord shall be stricken out of our hearts, and the spirit of gladness and power shall be poured upon us: and through faith helped by prayer and fasting, shall we do valiantly. Thus the spirit of God moved Joel the Prophet, to threaten the people of his time living under a prosperous Reign: unto whom this objection might as justly have been made, as against the exercise; and a great deal more, because his Fast was more general, his threatenings more fearful, his descriptions of their dangers more terrible. Again, some may object, that fasting is an exercise of sinners: what shall we say then? shall the hypocrisy of man make the appointment of God of none effect? yea, was it not therefore appointed, that he which cometh hither of custom, may yet go away with conscience? may he not being reproved, and rebuked in his own soul, and seeing his hypocrisy laid open, labour from thenceforth to approve himself, or at the least be without excuse against the day of the Lord. May there not be also at this exercise, some that come in trueth, and in the fear of God, whom God will accept? is it meet that these children of God should be bereft of the use thereof, for the abuse of the wicked?

The terrible iudgements of God against the pride of Moab and other Nations (who conspiring together against the people of God) at the last were made their owne executioners, and the great destruction of blasphemous Senacherib his hoste. Ezekiah king of Iudah being set free from the siege, both these being wrought by publike and priuate fasting, doe most euidently confirme the same: which examples may serue for vs to look after others which are many in number. True it is indeed that the great security with the floods of our sinnes flowing ouer the banks in euery place, haue hitherto reioyced our enemies heart; and if once they arme themselues with Gods wrath, (which the Lord turne away for Christs sake) then will they certainly fray vs: which to preuent all meanes will not helpe vs, vnlesse in fasting, weeping, and mourning we rent