A02178:3855
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 works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
Part 4 › MEDITATIONS ON PROV. 4. VERS: 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 2… › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
By this then we see, how needful a precept Solomon doth here give us; but the necessity of this shall more plainly appear, if we consider either the wickedness of their wicked practises, or the hurt which the godly have received by them: for the will of the wicked is wholly bent to evil, they be ever willing and ready to hurt good people, when any occasion is offered, their skill is great, and their wisdom is answerable to their will. And therefore our Saviour saith, The children of this world are wiser in their generation then the children of Light.
By this then we see, how needfull a precept Salomon doth here giue vs; but the necessitie of this shall more plainely appeare, if wee consider either the wickednes of their wicked practises, or the hurt which the godly haue receiued by them: for the will of the wicked is wholly bent to euill, they be euer willing and ready to hurt good people, when any occasion is offered, their skill is great, and their wisedome is answerable to their will. And therefore our Sauiour saith, The children of this world are wiser in their generation then the children of Light.
This wisdom we may perceive in them, whether they show themselves deadly and open enemies, or friendly and counterfeited friends: for if they profess themselves to be1 our enemies, it is marvellous to see their practises. First, they will use all extremity and hard dealing, they will offer violence, and oppress him (if it be possible) with wrongful injuries: and what is their purpose in all this, but to provoke him that is good, to requi•e evil for evil, and so fall from his GOD, or at the leastwise to stay and hinder him in the course of his godliness, that God may be displeased with him▪ If this thing will not prevail, they will work another way, and labour by slanders and false reports, in such wise to discredit him, that he may be utterly discouraged, and caused to forsake his profession. And yet they will find another way if this will not work: they will devise crafty fetches,