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,…

where his coming is described to be with Angels, and with a shout. Yet because this glory doth appear in the whole course of redemption, it shall be good to understand this as the places going before and coming after, that is of the whole time, in all which he ceaseth not to offer these graces and to execute these judgements As for the words themselves, some think them to be understood literally, some allegorically and spiritually. But they admit both. First, that they have use in their natural signification, it appeareth, because the Lord never leaveth his Church without some instructions in the Sun, the Moon, the Heavens, and the Earth. For besides natural eclipses in Sun and Moon, and other exaltations, yet there have been works extraordinary in them both, which have been as prognostications of Gods wrath for sin. Further we may safely gather, that there was never any strange Eclipse, Comet, apparition in the heavens, shaking of the earth, strange and unnatural births; but after this change of nature some event came strangely sooner or later: which showed that men had broken their obedience with God, and were become monstrously disobedient, which the Lord maketh known to us by changing the course of nature. Therefore we say, that before great Earthquakes, plagues, wars, Comets, famine, or such like, goeth great contempt of religion, monstrous profaneness: so they be the prognostications of some notable sins either in religion, or in life, or in both. Thus we neither exclude the literal sense, and yet we do not admit that fancy, or rather frenzy of the Family of love, because we grant, that after strange disobedience and contempt, follow strange punishments and revenge: so that the Prophet showeth the works of God for sin either by the things following, or by the signs going before. It is a question, why at this time, wherein he would show himself so gracious, the Lord should send such tokens of his wrath. Here we see a contrary order of teaching to flesh and blood, because God will then have his mercy manifested, when he will show his justice.

where his comming is described to bee with Angels, and with a shoute. Yet because this glorie doth appeare in the whole course of redemption, it shall be good to vnderstand this as the places going before and comming after, that is of the whole time, in all which hee ceaseth not to offer these graces and to execute these iudgements As for the wordes themselues, some thinke them to be vnderstood literally, some allegorically and spiritually. But they admit both. First, that they haue vse in their naturall signification, it appeareth, because the Lord neuer leaueth his Church without some instructions in the Sunne, the Moone, the Heauens, and the Earth. For besides naturall eclipses in Sunne and Moone, and other exaltations, yet there haue been workes extraordinarie in them both, which haue been as prognostications of Gods wrath for sinne. Further wee may safely gather, that there was neuer any strange Eclipse, Comet, apparition in the heauens, shaking of the earth, strange and vnnatural births; but after this change of nature some euent came strangely sooner or later: which shewed that men had broken their obedience with God, and were become monstrously disobedient, which the Lord maketh knowne to vs by changing the course of nature. Therefore wee say, that before great Earthquakes, plagues, warres, Comets, famine, or such like, goeth great contempt of religion, monstrous prophanenes: so they be the prognostications of some notable sinnes either in religion, or in life, or in both. Thus wee neither exclude the literall sense, and yet wee doe not admit that fansie, or rather frensie of the Familie of loue, because we graunt, that after strange disobedience and contempt, followe strange punishments and reuenge: so that the Prophet sheweth the workes of God for sinne either by the things following, or by the signes going before. It is a question, why at this time, wherein hee would shewe himselfe so gratious, the Lord should send such tokens of his wrath. Here wee see a contrarie order of teaching to flesh and blood, because God will then haue his mercie manifested, when he will shew his iustice.