A02178:2728
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.
Vers. 20. Mine heart breaketh for the desire to thy judgements alway.
Vers. 20. Mine heart breaketh for the desire to thy iudgements alway.
The Prophet showeth the vehemency of his desire, when he saith, that his soul fainteth for the desire thereof. So in another place he saith, that his heart pan••t, and that his soul cleaveth to the dust; & many such complaints the man of God maketh, when he seeth the Lord withdrawing his spirit from him, that he cannot so clearly see into Gods word: as contrariwise he showeth his joy, that in heart he conceiveth, when the Lord by his spirit doth open his sight, that he can feel some comfort thereby, when he saith, How sweet are thy precepts unto my mouth? Oh, how love I thy Law? &c. Many men, being not acquainted with this practise of the Prophet, do think that it is some melancholic humour, &c. when they see Gods children suddenly sorrowful, or suddenly full of rejoicing: but those that have experience of these things do know, that the grief sitteth near their heart, when they cannot feel comfort in Gods word: and that then they are most comforted, when the eyes of their minds are most enlightened. For seeing that our nourishment and life is in the Word, we ought continually to fetch nourishment from thence, by meditating therein. Therefore many are on a sudden cast into great sadness and heaviness of heart, and yet they know not for what cause; whereas this no doubt is one among the rest: because they use not to meditate in Gods word, therefore by this means would the Lord drive them to his word, that there they might find comfort, and so for ever after have the word in greater estimation, and bestow greater diligence thereupon.