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 service of youth how greatly it pleaseth GOD, may appear. Moses and Aaron's rod was of an Almond tree: what this figure meant, is taught, Jerem. 1. I am but a child: It is no matter saith God: What seest thou? an Almond tree, which in those countries (where it groweth) is the first that doth blossom. Him that God will have his rod, must be a branch of the trees that first blossom. The first fruits, and the first borne are due unto GOD. And this is the difference between the sacrifice of Cain and of Abel▪ Cain offered he cared not what, but Abel offered the first fruits, and the best: and this is the best note to know a Cains heart from an Abels.

The seruice of youth how greatly it pleaseth GOD, may appeare. Moses and Aarons rod was of an Almond tree: what this figure meant, is taught, Ierem. 1. I am but a childe: It is no matter saith God: What seest thou? an Almond tree, which in those countreys (where it groweth) is the first that doth blossome. Him that God will haue his rod, must bee a branch of the trees that first blossome. The first fruites, and the first borne are due vnto GOD. And this is the difference betweene the sacrifice of Cain and of Abel▪ Cain offered he cared not what, but Abel offered the first fruites, and the best: and this is the best note to know a Cains heart from an Abels.

5 Consider Gods liking of Timothy, David, Samuel, the Prophet of Prophets, who served¹ God when he was a child, and so the good King Josiah. These were not trees which ⟨p. 637⟩blossom when others have done. Let men be never so soundly come home, it were better²