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,…

When he felt sweetness in it, then he was comforted; for there is a changeable working in Gods children. He showeth the nature of faith, which will neither be stayed in vain, nor wicked things; but all his delight was in the word, where though he felt not full comfort, yet he had so much as stayed him. This is contrary to the men of the world, which in their trouble will either seek delight in va•ne things, or in evil things. This is the nature of faith to feel comfort then, when they are at the point of death. This showeth that Gods children have sometime comfort, sometime none. And this is true faith that can comfort us when all means fail, and when we have them, yet not to stay in them. For a righteous man liveth by faith: & therefore when he feeleth Christ live in him, in forgiving his sins, renewing him, & giving him hope of everlasting life; he liveth: but if he cannot feel that, then he is as a dead man. Can we find comfort & delight in the word, when we cannot find comfort in any thing else? this is a notable argument of faith. And though we feel drowsiness, yet if we can by fear shake it off, & find sweetness in the word, this is faith. The word then and prayer are the chiefest comforts in troubles. Contrarily when the word feareth us, because we feel sin abound in us; and because we find not that taste in the word which we ought; as that the threatenings fear not, the promises comfort not, &c. If (I say) we can then fear, though we have plenty of all outward things, & there be no outward occasion to fear, this is an argument that we have faith: but if faith be carried with the time, then it is no faith, but is choked with prosperity or adversity.