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,…

And in this extremity of grief, we shall see that he had good cause to pray earnestly, if we do consider the reasons which flesh and blood would put in to his mind. For first when he saw that he was in such straits, that he could not see means or ways to be delivered, then his reason would persuade him to leave the light of the word, as a thing that in this case showed no light, and to use policy for to help himself. This is a great temptation, and if God had not assisted him, he might have fallen hereby. For we see that Saul, when the Lord gave him no answer, by Urim and Thummim, nor other ordinary means, he thought good in policy to ask counsel of a Witch; which he before time had punished with death. Thus would corrupted judgement have carried him to use policy and unlawful means, and to have forsaken the lantern of the word, if the Lord had not stayed him: and therefore this was one cause to move him most earnestly to pray.

And in this extremitie of griefe, we shall see that he had good cause to pray earnestly, if we do consider the reasons which flesh and blood would put in to his minde. For first when he saw that he was in such streights, that he could not see meanes or waies to be deliuered, then his reason would perswade him to leaue the light of the word, as a thing that in this case shewed no light, and to vse policie for to helpe himselfe. This is a great temptation, and if God had not assisted him, he might haue fallen hereby. For we see that Saul, when the Lord gaue him no answere, by Vrim and Thummim, nor other ordinarie meanes, hee thought good in policie to aske counsell of a Witch; which he before time had punished with death. Thus would corrupted iudgement haue carried him to vse policie and vnlawfull meanes, and to haue forsaken the lanterne of the word, if the Lord had not stayed him: and therefore this was one cause to moue him most earnestly to pray.

Secondly, if he looked to his affections, he should find them as corrupt: for they would have carried him to revenge, when he saw himself to be unreasonably and unconscionably dealt withal: and therefore to restrain the headstrong affection of revenge, it was very needful that he should pray fervently. For we see that when Nabal dealt churlishly and uncurteously with him, because he wanted this help of prayer to keep under his affection, therefore he straightways sware he would kill him, and would have done so, had not Abigail stayed him, and pacified his wrath: whereas at other times, when Saul dealt injuriously with him, and the Lord might seem to have given him into Davids hand, yet because he had prepared his heart by prayer, he abstained from revenge, and committed vengeance to the Lord. This then might be a second reason to move him to pray.