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,…

Those that are afflicted, are either such as are instructed before, both whence their affliction cometh, and to what end they are sent, or else they are such as are ignorant, and know nothing hereof. They that are ignorant when they see themselves so punished, they are driven into great straits, they look only upon the curse of God, they never consider the appurtenances thereof, and that the cause thereof is the transgression of Gods law, and that it is sin for which God is angry, and that which he punisheth in them: upon which their blindness they attribute the cause of their pain either to Witches, or to natural causes, or fortune, or some such thing; and hereupon to be released of their grief they go and run and ride to wise men as they call them, to Witches, yea oftentimes to the Devil himself, and use all unlawful means that they can devise. But for these what remedy is there? surely even first to consider that their afflictions are sent from God. Secondly, to enquire at his word the cause that moved the Lord to lay them upon them. The Lord no doubt will answer them out of his word, that it was sin. Thirdly the end which the Lord hath set down, which is to humble us. Now if we consider that the Lord hath sent it, that sin was the cause thereof, and we be truly humbled because of our sins, then may we be bold to seek to the waters of comfort, and drink freely of the water of life, which our Saviour hath promised to all that come unto him to be refreshed. They which are instructed both whence affliction cometh, and wherefore, and to what end, they commonly are very sorry, and do earnestly repent them; and although they are something troubled, because before they were never sufficiently humbled, yet are they not dismayed, they have the stay in themselves: they hold it as most certain, that their God as he is all wisdom, and therefore knoweth all things that are best, so he is infinite in mercy, and putteth upon him the affection of a father to those that fear him, and giveth nothing to his children but those things which may be best for them; and therefore they know he scourgeth as a father, or beateth as a schoolmaster; and no tender father or wise schoolmaster will correct the child with beating when words may serve:

Those that are afflicted, are either such as are instructed before, both whence their affliction cometh, and to what ende they are sent, or else they are such as are ignorant, and know nothing hereof. They that are ignorant when they see themselues so punished, they are driuen into great streights, they looke onely vpon the curse of God, they neuer consider the appertinances thereof, and that the cause thereof is the transgression of Gods law, and that it is sinne for which God is angry, and that which hee punisheth in them: vpon which their blindnes they attribute the cause of their paine either to Witches, or to naturall causes, or fortune, or some such thing; and hereupon to be released of their griefe they goe and runne and ride to wise men as they call them, to Witches, yea oftentimes to the Diuell himselfe, and vse all vnlawfull meanes that they can deuise. But for these what remedie is there? surely euen first to consider that their afflictions are sent from God. Secondly, to enquire at his word the cause that moued the Lord to lay them vpon them. The Lord no doubt will answere them out of his word, that it was sinne. Thirdly the end which the Lord hath set downe, which is to humble vs. Now if wee consider that the Lord hath sent it, that sinne was the cause thereof, and wee bee truly humbled because of our sinnes, then may wee bee bold to seeke to the waters of comfort, and drinke freely of the water of life, which our Sauiour hath promised to all that come vnto him to be refreshed. They which are instructed both whence affliction commeth, and wherefore, and to what end, they commonly are very sory, and do earnestly repent them; and although they are something troubled, because before they were neuer sufficiently humbled, yet are they not dismaid, they haue the stay in themselues: they hold it as most certaine, that their God as he is all wisedome, and therefore knoweth all things that are best, so hee is infinite in mercie, and putteth vpon him the affection of a father to those that feare him, and giueth nothing to his children but those things which may be best for them; and therefore they know he scourgeth as a father, or beateth as a schoolemaster; and no tender father or wise schoolemaster will correct the child with beating when words may serue: