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,…

He describeth his adversaries, by their names, calling them wicked ones▪ 2. by their¹ diligence they lay wait. 3 by their malice, they wait to destroy him. For the first, the hebrew word translated wicked, if the letters be transposed signifieth a rich man, because it is hard to find goods and goodness, riches and righteousness in one person: and I think that Solomon calleth riches, the treasures of iniquity▪ Prou. 10. 2. not only because they are gathered by bad means, but also because, often their owners are bad men. These wicked persons, strangers from the womb, the sons of men, the children of Belial, scoffing Ishmaels, parasitical Doegs, persecuting Sauls, David often complaineth of in this Psalm as verses. 23. 52. 61. 69 78 85. 87. 110 241. 157 261. and here, and in many other Psalms. And surely not without cause, for many were these evil spirits that vexed him, his brother Eliab accused him of pride, Goliath the Philistine despised him to his face, Saul the King hunted him as a partridge, Doeg the Edomite slandered him to his Lord, Absalom his son drave him out of his kingdom, Ahithophel his counsellor counselled against him, M•cho• his wife contemned him in her heart, Shimei his subject railed on him, in his misery, Nabal the Carmelite played the churl with him, and they that did eat of his bread, and were entertained as friends became in the end his utter enemies: and all because the Lord loved him, and he followed that which good was. When Cain and Abel can agree in one field; Ishmael and Izaak in one house, Jacob and Esau in one womb, then shall the wicked and godly agree together, not before: see Prou: 29. 29. It is the nature of the wicked to be opposite to the good, and persecutors of the godly, therefore ⟨p. 451⟩are they compared to Lions, Bears, Tigers, Bulls, Serpents, Adders, Archers, and Fowlers: the godly man is the Partridge, they the Hawk. 1. let the Hawk all her lifetime sit upon her Lords fist, yet when she dies she is but cast upon the dunghill: let the Partridge be chased all the days of her life: yet after her death, she shall be brought in a silver dish to her Lords table. Yet know, that if thou oppose thy self against the godly, thou art to be reputed but a wicked man.

He describeth his aduersaries, by their names, calling them wicked ones▪ 2. by their¹ diligence they lay waite. 3 by their malice, they waite to destroy him. For the first, the hebrew word translated wicked, if the letters be transposed signifieth a rich man, because it is hard to finde goods and goodnes, riches and righteousnes in one person: and I thinke that Salomon calleth riches, the treasures of iniquitie▪ Prou. 10. 2. not onely because they are gathered by badde meanes, but also because, often their owners are bad men. These wicked persons, strangers from the wombe, the sonnes of men, the children of Beliall, scoffing Ishmaels, parasiticall Doegs, persecuting Sauls, Dauid often complaineth of in this Psalme as veres. 23. 52. 61. 69 78 85. 87. 110 241. 157 261. and here, and in many other Psalmes. And surely not without cause, for many were these euill spirits that vexed him, his brother Eliab accused him of pride, Goliah the Philistine despised him to his face, Saul the King hunted him as a partridge, Doeg the Edomite slandered him to his Lord, Absolon his sonne draue him out of his kingdome, Achitophel his counsellor counselled against him, M•cho• his wife contemned him in her heart, Shemey his subiect rayled on him, in his miserie, Nabal the Charmelite played the churle with him, and they that did eate of his breade, and were entertained as friends became in the ende his vtter enemies: and all because the Lord loued him, and he followed that which good was. When Caine and Abel can agree in one field; Ishmael and Izaak in one house, Iakob and Esau in one wombe, then shall the wicked and godly agree together, not before: see Prou: 29. 29. It is the nature of the wicked to be opposite to the good, and persecutors of the godly, therefore ⟨p. 451⟩are they compared to Lions, Beares, Tygers, Bulls, Serpents, Adders, Archers, and Foulers: the godly man is the Partridge, they the Hauke. 1. let the Hauke all her lifetime sit vpon her Lords fist, yet when she dies she is but cast vpon the dunghill: let the Partridge be chased all the daies of her life: yet after her death, she shalbe brought in a siluer dish to her Lords table. Yet knowe, that if thou oppose thy selfe against the godly, thou art to be reputed but a wicked man.

1. 1Ra••ang Mali•• Gn•shar Duies.

Waited:) They were vigilant, diligent, and wise to do hurt, never did Cat so wait for the mouse, or Wolfe for the sheep, or Lion for the Lamb, or Hawk for Partridge, or Fouler for Bird, or the Soldier for his enemies as they waited for him: they bent their bow, they made ready their arrows upon the string, that they might secretly shoot at him that was upright of heart. David complaineth of this, so may we: David provided for these, so ought we: and though they wait day and night, and lay all kinds of bats that can be, yet in the end David hath the best; for in the name of the Lord he shall destroy them. This is our comfort, wait they may, but they can do no more Luke. 22. 31.

Waited:) They were vigilant, diligent, and wise to doe hurt, neuer did Cat so waite for the mouse, or Wolfe for the sheepe, or Lion for the Lambe, or Hauke for Partridge, or Fouler for Bird, or the Souldier for his enemies as they waited for him: they bent their bowe, they made readie their arrowes vpon the string, that they might secretly shoote at him that was vpright of heart. Dauid complaineth of this, so may wee: Dauid prouided for these, so ought we: and though they waite day and night, and lay all kindes of battes that can be, yet in the ende Dauid hath the best; for in the name of the Lord he shall destroy them. This is our comfort, waite they may, but they can doe no more Luke. 22. 31.

For me) David had many followers in the time of his troubles, yet his adversaries aimed especially at his life: Strike say they the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: Stub up the root and the branches will wither: chop off the head, and the members will perish; if David be once gone, who shall resist? Thus the worthiest Princes, gravest counsellors, and most vigilant Ministers, have ever been the mark of wicked Archers. Thus like the King of Aram they say 2. Chron: 18. 31. Fight you not with small or great, but against the King of Israel only. Experience we have had of this in the days of our gracious Queen Elizabeth of happy memory, and our worthy King James, whom the Lord long keep to rule over us, that the jawbones of the Lions may be broken before ever he be given a prey to their teeth.

For me) Dauid had many followers in the time of his troubles, yet his aduersaries aymed especially at his life: Strike say they the Shepheard, and the sheepe shalbe scattered: Stub vp the roote and the branches will wither: chop off the heade, and the members will perish; if Dauid be once gone, who shall resist? Thus the worthiest Princes, grauest counsellors, and most vigilant Ministers, haue euer beene the marke of wicked Archers. Thus like the King of Aram they say 2. Chron: 18. 31. Fight you not with small or great, but against the King of Israel onely. Experience wee haue had of this in the daies of our gracious Queene Elizabeth of happie memorie, and our worthie King Iames, whom the Lord long keepe to rule ouer vs, that the iawebones of the Lions may be broken before euer he be giuen a prey to their teeth.

But I will consider thy testimonies) It was a grievous temptation to be sought for to slaughter, but a greater mercy to consider Gods testimonies, even then when his life was sought for; had it not been for the consideration of Gods testimonies a thousand to one he had fallen away.

But I will consider thy testimonies) It was a grieuous temptation to be sought for to slaughter, but a greater mercie to consider Gods testimonies, euen then when his life was sought for; had it not beene for the consideration of Gods testimonies a thousand to one he had fallen away.

But I) Though I was thus assaulted yet I despaired not of thine aide: cast not off my calling: was not careless of mine estate: used no deceit: could not flatter: avenged not my self: became no politician: confessed no fault where none was committed: trusted not in my sword: went not to witches as Saul did: but being assured of the innocency of mine heart, the goodness of my cause, the help of my God, and his comfort in trouble, I considered thy testimonies. It is good for a Christian not ever to arm himself with the weapons of flesh, but to put upon him the armour of the spirit, which she must fetch out of Gods armoury.

But I) Though I was thus assaulted yet I despaired not of thine aide: cast not off my calling: was not carelesse of mine estate: vsed no deceit: could not flatter: auenged not my selfe: became no polititian: confessed no fault where none was committed: trusted not in my sword: went not to witches as Saul did: but being assured of the innocencie of mine heart, the goodnes of my cause, the helpe of my God, and his comfort in trouble, I considered thy testimonies. It is good for a Christian not euer to arme himselfe with the weapons of flesh, but to put vpon him the armour of the spirit, which she must fetch out of Gods armorie.

Consider thy testimonies.) Bernard wrote 5. books of consideration to pope Eugenius, They that consider Gods testimonies, that is, the commandments of God, which were testimonies to the Israelites that they were bounden to keep them, and the covenant of grace testifying to all Gods mercy in Christ, have no great need of those books, no if it were the Pope himself, who I am persuaded doth not read much of Gods book. This consideration will make us patient in trouble, forgetful of wrongs, and in the end we shall get such a conquest of our adversaries, that they shall say to us as Saul did to David 1. Sam: 24. 17. 18. My son David thou art more righteous then I.

Consider thy testimonies.) Bernard wrote 5. bookes of consideration to pope Eugenius, They that consider Gods testimonies, that is, the commandements of God, which were testimonies to the Israelites that they were bounden to keepe them, and the couenant of grace testifying to all Gods mercy in Christ, haue no great neede of those bookes, no if it were the Pope himselfe, who I am perswaded doth not reade much of Gods booke. This consideration will make vs patient in trouble, forgetfull of wrongs, and in the end we shall get such a conquest of our aduersaries, that they shall say to vs as Saul did to Dauid 1. Sam: 24. 17. 18. My sonne Dauid thou art more righteous then I.

¶ Vers. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandem •t is exceeding large.

¶ Vers. 96. I haue seene an end of all perfection: but thy commandem •t is exceeding large.

IN his precedent meditation he considered Gods testimonies, here he breaketh out into a commendation of them, and by the consumption of things upon earth, observes the consummation of the word of God. Where note first that the most perfect earthly things are but imperfect, they shall have an end. The goodliest cities sevelled with the earth¹ the mightiest Empires divided into Dukedoms, the ancientest buildings come to the ground, and the greatest Monarchs have not long left their inheritance to their children▪ where is Solomon with all his royalty? Absalom with all his beauty? Dives with all his wealth? Haman with all his honour? Sampson with all his strength? Ahithophel with all his wisdom? yea or David with all his victories? they are gone, and so gone, that man must say, as David once said, surely every man, nay every thing, in his best estate is vanity: van••tis of vanities, all is vanity: We that now live, nay the greatest that now live, what shall become of us, ours, them & theirs, but an hundred years hence, which yet is the age of some one man?

IN his precedent meditation he considered Gods testimonies, here he breaketh out into acommendation of them, and by the consumption of things vpon earth, obserues the consummation of the word of God. Where note first that the most perfect earthly things are but imperfect, they shal haue an end. The goodliest cities seuelled with the earth¹ the mightiest Empires deuided into Dukedomes, the auncientest buyldings come to the ground, and the greatest Monarches haue not long left their inheritāce to their children▪ where is Salomon with all his royaltie? Absolon with all his beauty? Diues with all his wealth? Haman with all his honour? Sampson with all his strength? Achitophel with all his wisedome? yea or Dauid with all his victories? they are gone, and so gone, that man must say, as Dauid once said, surely euery man, nay euery thing, in his best estate is vaniti•: van••tis of vanities, all is vanity: We that now liue, nay the greatest that now liue, what shal become of vs, ours, them & theirs, but an hundred yeares hence, which yet is the age of some one man?

1. 1I am seges est ubi Troia suit.I am seges est vbi Troia suit.

Alternante rota moras mutantur in horas Omnia, nunc huius, mea cras, post nescio cuius.

The turning wheel things changeth all, His now, mine then, next have who shall?

The turning wheele things changeth all, His now, mine then, next haue who shall?

Aetas nostra canit Veneres, postrema triumphos.

This age of ours sings songs of love: The next of triumphs got by love.

This age of ours sings songs of loue: The next of triumphs got by loue.

2. David like a wise man, sees this with his eye, & ponders it with his heart. A wise memento for al mē: quod cuiquā cuivis, that which may come to all men, may come to every man, and mansion upon earth. It is the point of a wise man to observe the passages of honours & honourable personages in the world, and it will make him to say, No• a•tum sap•re sed time, be not high minded but fear, Rom: 11. As they have been, so I may be. As David the father had these eyes, so also had Solomon his son, Preu: 24 30. I passed (saith he) by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man destitute of understanding. 31. And lo• it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof and the stone wall was broken down 32. And I behold, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction. Happy are they that have such eyes.

2. Dauid like a wise man, sees this with his eye, & ponders it with his heart. A wise memēto for al mē: quod cuiquā cuiuis, that which may come to al men, may come to euery man, and mansion vpō earth. It is the point of a wise man to obserue the passages of honours & honourable personages in the world, and it wil make him to say, No• a•tum sap•re sed time, be not high minded but feare, Rom: 11. As they haue beene, so I may be. As Dauid the father had these eyes, so also had Salomon his sonne, Preu: 24 30. I passed (saith he) by the field of the slothfull, and by the vyneyard of the man destitute of vnderstanding. 31. And lo• it was all growne ouer with thornes, and n•ttles had couered the face thereof and the stone wall was broken downe 32. And I behold, and considered it well: I looked vpon it and receiued instruction. Happie are they that haue such eyes.

But thy commandment, &c.) out of the imperfection of other things he gathers the perfection of Gods word. And in truth what is the dross to the gold? […] Christus, ama•el•it mundus. If once the glad tidings of the Gospel affect us, the sweetness of this world will be bitter sweet, or rather indeed mere bitterness unto us.

But thy commaundement, &c.) out of the imperfection of other things he gathers the perfection of Gods word. And in truth what is the drosse to the gold? 〈…〉 Christus, ama•el•it mundus. If once the glad tydings of the Gospel affect vs, the sweetnes of this world will be bitter sweet, or rather indeed meere bitternes vnto vs.

Exceeding large.) Extending to all times, persons, places, actions, & circumstances of actions: The ancient laws of the Persians, Grecians, and Romans are gone, or at the least mostly gone in their governments: but the word of our God will endure for ever in it self, and make us to endure for ever: This one verse is an excellent meditation for great ones that they presume not, mean ones that they repine not, and all that they build not upon this present world. We see now an healthful, & happy time, do we know how long it will continue? we do not. There dyed in the year 160•. in, and about this City of London forty two thousand nine hundred eighty and nine persons, whereof of the plague thirty six thousand eight hundred si••e and two. Our sins deserve the like desolation, the Lord give us comfort out of that word of his, which is able to comfor•al, & to teach them of whom, by whom, under whom, to what, and above what things they are, and that they shall have an inheritance with them that are sanctified.

Exceeding large.) Extending to al times, persons, places, actions, & circumstances of actions: The auncient lawes of the Persians, Grecians, and Romans are gone, or at the least mos•lie gone in their gouernments: but the word of our God will endure for euer in it selfe, and make vs to endure for euer: This one verse is an excellent meditation for great ones that they presume not, meane ones that they repine not, and all that they build not vpon this presēt world. We see now an healthful, & happy time, do we know how long it wil cōunue? we doe not. There dyed in the yeare 160•. in, and about this Citie of London fortie two thousand nine hundred eightie and nyne persons, whereof of the plague thirtie sixe thousand eight hundred si••e and two. Our sinnes deserue the like desolation, the Lord giue vs comfort out of that word of his, which is able to comfor•al, & to teach them of whom, by whom, vnder whom, to what, and aboue what things they are, and that they shall haue an inheritance with them that are sanctified.