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,…

Now this is foretold, that we might not be offended when it cometh: & this use doth Christ teach us to make of it, These things have I told you before, that when they come to pass, &c. For to God his children, being but babes in Christ, this is a great temptation. And to come to our days: Doth it not trouble men much, that there be so many unlearned Ministers, of learned Ministers that there be so many ungodly men, that they see such oppressing Magistrates, such rebellious people, such careless governors, that there is such an height of subtlety in covering and cloaking sin; where is most knowledge, such running to sin; where is most preaching, and where the Gospel is received, that there should be such sects and heresies; when they shall see the Papists ready to outface the Gospel, what may a man do now, or how may he stay himself, if the Lord should leave him? Surely God hath foretold it. Even as the Sun then shining bright, the Moon giving light, the clear air are tokens of God his love, so much more the word: and as these being darkened & obscured show God his wrath; so the word obscured doth testify his wrath much more. Yea if dearths, plagues, famine, or such like come, we must be forewarned of them. And our Saviour Christ, when men asked him signs, he told them of many: and Mat. 24. that there should be such wonders in the heavens, in the earth, and in the seas, that even the very elect should be confounded almost. Now if Christ had not forewarned these things in the equity of his judgement, we might indeed have had some occasion of offence. And for this cause our Saviour Christ saith, Matth. 11. Blessed are they that are not offended in me, because such confusions shall be, that men will be ready to lay the cause of these things on the Gospel and on the word: and therefore blessed are they, that are forewarned of these things, and know why they come. If the Jews would not hear the Apostles speaking the truth; was it any marvel if they were seduced by false teachers? If men do not receive the word in love, is it any marvel if they be deluded with heresy? 2. Thess. 1. If men neglect the peace of their minds offered by the Gospel preached, is it any marvel if they have wars? If men neglect the food of their souls, is it any marvel if they find a famine?

Now this is foretold, that we might not be offended when it commeth: & this vse doth Christ teach vs to make of it, These things haue I told you before, that when they come to passe, &c. For to God his children, being but babes in Christ, this is a great temptation. And to come to our daies: Doth it not trouble men much, that there be so many vnlearned Ministers, of learned Ministers that there be so many vngodly men, that they see such oppressing Magistrates, such rebellious people, such carelesse gouernours, that there is such an height of subtiltie in couering and cloaking sin; where is most knowledge, such running to sinne; where is most preaching, and where the Gospell is receiued, that there should be such sects and heresies; when they shall see the Papists readie to outface the Gospell, what may a man do now, or how may he stay himselfe, if the Lord should leaue him? Surely God hath foretold it. Euen as the Sunne then shining bright, the Moone giuing light, the cleere aire are tokens of God his loue, so much more the word: and as these being darkened & obscured shew God his wrath; so the word obscured doth testifie his wrath much more. Yea if dearths, plagues, famine, or such like come, we must be forewarned of them. And our Sauiour Christ, when men asked him signes, he told them of many: and