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,…

And my tongue rejoiceth. That which in truth is inward, will in time show it self outward, as we may see in these holy affections of the man of God. The Prophet himself confirmeth this in another place, Psalm. 116. 10. I believed therefore did I speak: which the Apostle repeateth in the person of the whole Church, 2. Cor. 4. 13. because we have the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; We also believe, and therefore we speak. And Rom. 10. 10. it is said, With the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the tongue man confesseth to salvation: and sure it is, that of the abundance of the joy of the heart the mouth rejoiceth: as contrariwise of the abundance of the grief of the heart, although there may be for a while an inward devouring, binding and suppressing of sorrow, yet it will in time break forth, and we shall even roar for disquietness of mind, and cannot hold long, until we have eased our hearts with some outward complaint. For we see if a man have a through grief how it consumeth him, unless he utter it. Again, if a man hath conceived a true joy, how he longeth, how he is ravished, how he travaileth, until he hath brought it forth. If then in any good measure we feel the joy of the spirit, the tongue will be at commandment to utter it. Wherefore we are to try our selves and examine our hearts, whether we hear, read, pray, or sing with this grace in our hearts, with this joy in our spirits, with this comfort of conscience: let us lament, considering how singing and spiritual rejoicing is decayed, how great a stranger the word is with us, what little delight and alacrity we have in holy and religious exercises; and let us accuse our selves, that therefore our tongues cleave to the rough roof of our mouth, because our hearts are locked up in security; which undoubtedly is so open to all men, that there is no man but bewaileth his want of inward joy. Many indeed, as hypocrites, can blow and bellow outwardly, who make no melody in their hearts, who sing not in grace, who have not the sweet and natural voice, which cometh from a well affected and right ordered mind, either joyfully showing a godly digested mirth, or dolefully breathing out into the passions of an exercised mind.

And my tongue reioyceth. That which in truth is inward, will in time shewe it selfe outward, as wee may see in these holy affections of the man of God. The Prophet himselfe confirmeth this in another place,