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,…

Joseph a good man, and yet lieth: so was Lot a good man, and yet loth to part from Sodom. These were great offences. Whence come they? from custom no doubt. Joseph being amongst profane men had some smell of their words. And Lot, though their wickedness and Sodomitry vexed his righteous soul, yet through custom, he could have found in his heart to have lived still amongst them. So first we must here be taught to eschew ill custom and company. The second note hence to be observed, may answer a piece of a doubt in the former two examples of Joseph and Lot. For some man may say, Joseph and Lot both good men dwelt and kept company with the wicked, therefore we may do so. But it may be answered, that examples prove nothing without the warrant of the word. And as for Joseph, God had sent him extraordinarily to provide for his fathers family: but Lot chose to dwell in Sodom for his lucre (as ye may read in the thirteenth chapter of this book, the tenth verse) and therefore this greedy desire was altogether unlawful: and though the Lord in mercy deferred the punishment thereof, he punished that yet at length in his wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt; in himself and his own daughters, with whom he committed abominable incest. Therefore we see, that it followeth not, because they dwelt among the wicked, therefore we may.

IOseph a good man, and yet lieth: so was Lot a good man, and yet loth to part from Sodom. These were great offences. Whence come they? from custome no doubt. Ioseph being amongst prophane men had some smell of their wordes. And Lot, though their wickednes and Sodomitry vexed his righteous soule, yet through custome, hee could haue found in his heart to haue liued still amongst thē. So first wee must here bee taught to eschewe ill custome and companie. The second note hence to be obserued, may answere a peece of a doubt in the former two examples of Ioseph and Lot. For some man may say, Ioseph and Lot both good men dwelt and kept companie with the wicked, therefore wee may doe so. But it may be answered, that examples proue nothing without the warrant of the word. And as for Ioseph, God had sent him extraordinarily to prouide for his fathers familie: but Lot chose to dwel in Sodō for his lucre (as ye may read in the thirteenth chapter of this booke, the tenth verse) and therefore this greedie desire was altogether vnlawfull: and though the Lord in mercie deferd the punishment thereof, he punished that yet at length in his wife, who was turned into a pillar of salt; in himselfe and his owne daughters, with whom hee committed abominable incest. Therefore we see, that it followeth not, because they dwelt among the wicked, therefore we may.