A02178:2671
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,…
The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
True it is indeed, that for the correction of some sin, the trial of their faith, the exercise1 of their patience, the manifestation of his glory, and for their own better knowledge of themselves, GOD seemeth to withdraw himself from his servants: And as a Nurse dealeth with young children, to leave them to themselves, and to hide her self at some Pillar, or under some curtain, that they taking some falls, may both see their own weakness, and know how much they are beholding to her for preserving them2 when they fell not, and taking them up being fallen. Thus Peter was forsaken for a minute: CHRIST JESUS for a few hours: David for a few months: and Job for a few years.
True it is indeede, that for the correction of some sinne, the triall of their faith, the exercise1 of their patience, the manifestation of his glorie, and for their owne better knowledge of themselues, GOD seemeth to withdraw himselfe from his seruants: And as a Nource dealeth with young children, to leaue them to themselues, and to hide her selfe at some Pillar, or vnder some curtaine, that they taking some falles, may both see their owne weakenesse, and knowe how much they are beholding to her for preseruing them2 when they fell not, and taking them vp beeing fallen. Thus Peter was forsaken for a minute: CHRIST IESVS for a fewe houres: Dauid for a fewe moneths: and Iob for a fewe yeares.
- 1Why God seemeth sometimes to forsake his children.
- 2Note.
Against an utter desertion in this kind David prayeth in this place, and according to S. Augustine, is in effect thus much. O Lord, if, lest I should be proud, and should say in my prosperity I shall never be removed, it pleased thee to tempt me, yet forsake me not overlong: that is, if thou have thus forsaken me, that I may know how weak I am without thine assist me, yet forsake me not utterly, lest I perish. I know that of thy good will thou hast given me strength, and if thou turnest away thy face from me, I shall forthwith be troubled, O forsake me not, that I perish not. If Christ be a sleep the ship is in danger, and if the Lord absent himself but for a while, we are not able to stand in temptation. And yet it pleaseth the Lord to exercise his deerest servants oftentimes with these desertions. For (as that judicial divine Master