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,…

For complain men, and preach they never so much abroad, unless they will begin to reform their own houses, and give religion a room at home, especially in their own hearts, they shall travail much, and profit little. And surely if men were careful to reform themselves first, and then their own families, they should see Gods manifold blessings in our land upon Church and Common-wealth. For of particular persons come families; of ⟨p. 279⟩families towns; of towns provinces; of provinces whole realms: so that conveying Gods holy trueth in this sort from one to another, in time, and that shortly, it would so spread into all parts of this kingdom. Well I say, let there be never so good laws in cities,¹ never so pure orders in Church, if there be no practise at home, if fathers of families use not doctrine and discipline in their houses, and join their hands to Magistrate and Minister, they may, but most unjustly (as many have done) complain that their children are corrupted abroad, whereas indeed they were before, and still are corrupted at home. Alas, if parents to whom the comfort of their children well brought up, is a precious crown, will not inform and reform their children in the fear of God, whom it doth chiefly concern; how should hope sustain these men, that others will perform this duty to them, for whom the charge doth far less appertain? Lastly let parents remember, that therefore oftentimes they have disordered and disobedient children to themselves, because they have been disobedient children to the Lord, and disordered to their² parents when they were young; wherefore because they have not repented, the Lord punisheth their sins committed against others, with the like sin in others against themselves.

For complaine men, and preach they neuer so much abroade, vnlesse they wil begin to reforme their owne houses, and giue religion a roome at home, especially in their owne hearts, they shal trauaile much, and profit little. And surely if men were careful to reforme themselues first, and then their own families, they should see Gods manifold blessings in our land vpon Church and Common-wealth. For of particular persons come families; of ⟨p. 279⟩