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 man of God then having these effects in him, was near his deliverance: but the wicked being in their pride were near Gods vengeance. How necessary this doctrine is, common practise may admonish us: for thus reasoneth flesh and blood in time of adversity: We have thus long kept a good conscience, neither have we done against the will of God; we have served the Lord this while, yet this is our gain, our cause is not heard, our enemies cruelty is nothing diminished, but much increased, as though the Lord either heard us not, or hath forgotten us. But let us learn to reason with the Prophet on the contrary: Our enemies, O Lord, are near to hurt us: but thou art as near to deliver us: what do we but obey thee? what do they but disobey thee? wilt thou then forsake the godly: and canst thou suffer the wicked to prosper? No, thou art the Judge of the whole world, it cannot be, for thy deliverance and salvation is ready and near for them, who labour to keep faith, and to join thereunto a good conscience. We see then when flesh and blood would persuade us, that all time of deliverance is past, even then faith beholdeth it to be near at hand: for when we think that we are at the last cast, then we see salvation and help is nearest.

The man of God then hauing these effects in him, was neere his deliuerance: but the wicked being in their pride were neere Gods vengeance. How necessarie this doctrine is, common practise may admonish vs: for thus reasoneth flesh and blood in time of aduersitie: We haue thus long kept a good conscience, neither haue wee done against the will of God; we haue serued the Lord this while, yet this is our gaine, our cause is not heard, our enemies crueltie is nothing diminished, but much increased, as though the Lord either heard vs not, or hath forgotten vs. But let vs learne to reason with the Prophet on the contrarie: Our enemies, O Lord, are neere to hurt vs: but thou art as neere to deliuer vs: what doe we but obey thee? what doe they but disobey thee? wilt thou then forsake the godly: and canst thou suffer the wicked to prosper? No, thou art the Iudge of the whole world, it cannot be, for thy deliuerance and saluation is ready and neere for them, who labour to keepe faith, and to ioyne thereunto a good conscience. We see then when flesh and blood would perswade vs, that all time of deliuerance is past, euen then faith beholdeth it to bee neere at hand: for when wee thinke that we are at the last cast, then we see saluation and helpe is neerest.