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,…

To come yet to more particular judgements, if we look into the common-wealths of Judah and Israel, whether when they lived under their Judges, or under their Kings, we shall find that before they were punished, mention is made either of their idolatry and corrupting of religion, or of their unthankfulness and like corrupt manners. When the land was divided into Judah and Israel, we shall read, 2. King. 17. that notwithstanding the Lord testified to Judah and to Israel, by all the Prophets, and by all the Seers, that they ⟨p. 514⟩should turn from their Idolatry, & keep his statutes, they, for the contempt of the word, were taken prisoners of the Assyrians. Likewise 2. Chron. 36. 17. we may read, that though Israel fell, yet Judah was not amended, and though the Lord showed compassion upon it in sending his Prophets, yet Judah contemned their admonitions, and when there could be no remedy, the wrath of the Lord waxed hot against them, and they were carried captive to Babel: so that we see ere the Lord purposeth a general sweeping away, he setteth not down simple sins, one or two sins, but linked and chained sins, the contempt of his religion, the mocking of his Prophets and Preachers. As this is true in the destruction of societies, so is it also true in the overthrow of private persons. And although¹ we may see out of the word several denunciations of several plagues to several persons, yet we may learn it even in our common proverb; There is no goodness in him, he will come to naught; he is a common malefactor, he will come to some shame; he is so common and usual a sinner, that there will some plague light on him. The servants of Nabal told Abigail their Mistress that he railed on them, and they added, that evil luck would come upon their master, and upon all his family: for he was so wicked that a man could not speak to him, and indeed he lived not long after. So if we look into Pharaoh, or into Saul, 1. Chron. 10. we shall see the pride of their sins went before the height of their punishments.

To come yet to more particular iudgements, if we looke into the common-wealths of Iudah and Israel, whether when they liued vnder their Iudges, or vnder their Kings, we shall finde that before they were punished, mention is made either of their idolatrie and corrupting of religion, or of their vnthankfulnes and like corrupt manners. When the land was diuided into Iudah and Israel, we shall reade,