A02178:2072
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 works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
Part 3 › Sermon 2: OF MURMURING THE SECOND SERMON.Part 3 › Sermon 2: OF MVRMVRING THE SECOND SERMON.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
It prevailed so much with this people, that they wished themselves again in Egypt, although they knew that there they were most miserably afflicted: & that the Lord in carrying them thither at the first, did in justice punish them for their sin. And this wish of theirs is as much as if they should have said, would the Lord had at once cut us off and destroyed us, rather than left us in this case. Thus they were contented to do, so that they might have their bellies full, and rather than they would depart from their flesh-pots and other pleasures, which in Egypt they enjoyed: Many are like minded to these people nowadays: for we see divers upon their death-beds very senseless and secure, who can be conte•ted with open1 mouth to record the goodness of God towards him in things concerning this present life: but in the mean time, being without hope, sense or feeling of the sweet joys to come, do die thus by their fleshpots. Othersome, if they be brought to any misery, as poverty, sickness or such like, do bear it so impatiently, that in their hearts, and oftentimes2 in open speeches they wish they never had been borne: showing thereby that their flesh-pots do more like them, and their health doth better please them, than the goodness and loving countenance of the Lord. None of all these do ever consider what they have received of the Lord, but their eyes are still upon their wants; and the want of one thing that they do desire, though it be but small, is more disquietness unto them, & maketh them to murmur, more than the enjoying of many benefits which they have, can3 quiet their hearts, in the trust of Gods providence, or make them thankful. Now if any of us shall be brought to wish our death by the grief of any affliction, let us shake it off, and put it far from us, the desire is evil: for it is better (as Solomon saith) to be a living dog, than a dead lion. For be we never so miserable whilst we live, there is a time left for repentance, but after death there is none: therefore in thy life time labour to feel Gods mercy4 in Jesus Christ, and then no misery shall ever hurt thee, till thou be gathered into his kingdom.