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,…

2 True fear hath many properties, as first it breeds in us a marvellous humility, as we see in Jacob who was much afraid of his brother Esau, & therefore coming towards him,¹ he falls down seven times. There is a fear humbling, and it is the work of God to bring us to himself. And surely the Lord takes great delight in it, and what is the reason of it? because the Son of God in his humility hath done greater things for us, than ever he did in his glory: for being God and vouchsafing to be humbled even to a worm, he hath done us more good, and more glorious things, than ever he did whiles he was among² the Angels. Now the world is full of such proud spirits that nothing can qualify them. A second quality of fear is, that it is very credulous. This again we see in Jacob, for when one told him, his brother came against him so well furnished, he feared greatly, yet disputed not long in the matter. It is the glory of our age to dispute and gain say a man, and to say surely though you be of such an opinion, I am not, think as you will, I think thus. So that our dealings are so full of doubts and so ambiguous, as though there never had been world before us, or as though now it were high midnight in Popery. The third quality in fear is diligence: This also we see in Jacobs example, who was marvellously studious to salute his brother, disposing wisely of his children and cattle in the best order he could, to prevent his brothers fury.

2 True feare hath many properties, as first it breeds in vs a maruellous humilitie, as wee see in Iacob who was much afraid of his brother Esau, & therefore comming towards him,¹ he falles down seuen times. There is a feare humbling, and it is the worke of God to bring vs to himselfe. And surely the Lord takes great delight in it, and what is the reason of it? because the Sonne of God in his humilitie hath done greater things for vs, than euer hee did in his glorie: for being God and vouchsafing to bee humbled euen to a worme, hee hath done vs more good, and more glorious things, than euer hee did whiles hee was among² the Angels. Now the world is full of such proud spirits that nothing can qualifie them. A second qualitie of feare is, that it is very credulous. This againe wee see in Iacob, for when one told him, his brother came against him so well furnished, he feared greatly, yet disputed not long in the matter. It is the glorie of our age to dispute and gaine say a man, and to say surely though you be of such an opinion, I am not, thinke as you will, I thinke thus. So that our dealings are so full of doubts and so ambiguous, as though there neuer had been world before vs, or as though now it were high midnight in Poperie. The third qualitie in feare is diligence: This also we see in Iacobs example, who was marueilously studious to salute his brother, disposing wisely of his children and cattell in the best order he could, to preuent his brothers furie.