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,…

In our selves we may have some testimony of our true humbling in time of affliction, yet is it hard to say for others whether one which now feeleth the hand of God upon him, and never felt any token of Gods displeasure before, be either truly humbled for his sins, for which he is afflicted; or seemeth to be humbled because of the pain that he abideth. Therefore even he that is afflicted ought to examine his own soul whether he be truly humbled, and feel within himself even a grief that he hath so diversly provoked God to plague him, acknowledging Gods unspeakable mercy and long suffering, that he long ere this did not clean consume him: least otherwise the devil deceive him, as he hath done divers, who for a time seemed to be humbled, because of the heat of their grief: but afterwards when the Lord hath stayed his hand, they show what their humbling was, they turn again to sin as a dog to his vomit, and as a sow that is washing to her wallowing in the mire. But as for him that feeleth the weight and burden of his sins, and Gods displeasure for sin, and even groaneth as it were under the burden of sin, he may find a heavenly comfort, and assurance of the favour of God: for if thou seest a man truly humbled, him will I consider saith the Lord. To him will I look that is of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words.

In our selues we may haue some testimonie of our true humbling in time of affliction, yet is it hard to say for others whether one which now feeleth the hand of God vpon him, and neuer felt any token of Gods displeasure before, be either truly humbled for his sinnes, for which he is afflicted; or seemeth to be humbled because of the paine that he abideth. Therefore euen he that is afflicted ought to examine his own soule whether he be truly humbled, and feele within himselfe euen a griefe that hee hath so diuersly prouoked God to plague him, acknowledging Gods vnspeakeable mercie and long suffering, that he long ere this did not cleane consumne him: least otherwise the diuel deceiue him, as he hath done diuers, who for a time seemed to bee humbled, because of the heate of their griefe: but afterwards when the Lord hath staied his hand, they shew what their humbling was, they turne againe to sinne as a dogge to his vomit, and as a sow that is washing to her wallowing in the mire. But as for him that feeleth the weight and burthen of his sinnes, and Gods displeasure for sinne, and euen groneth as it were vnder the burthen of sinne, he may finde a heauenly comfort, and assurance of the fauour of God: for if thou seest a man truly humbled, him will I consider saith the Lord. To him will I looke that is of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words.