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 Joseph having forgiven his brethren, as appeareth in that he wept for them, gave them money, and courteously talked with them, and gave them entertainment; yet dealt he roundly with them in trying out their repentance, because he had attained to great wisdom, which herein he used, and also had a loving and pure affection; yet his example we are not to follow in all respects, for he sustained the person of a Magistrate, and every one must keep himself within the bounds of his calling. Joseph did bear the person of¹ Christ in all this, where we learn, that although the Lord do justly afflict us, yet we may be sure our sins are already forgiven us, as Joseph dealt with his brethren.

2 Ioseph hauing forgiuen his brethren, as appeareth in thar hee wept for them, gaue them money, and curteously talked with them, and gaue them entertainment; yet dealt hee roundly with them in trying out their repentance, because hee had attained to great wisedome, which herein he vsed, and also had a louing and pure affection; yet his example we are not to follow in all respects, for he sustained the person of a Magistrate, and euery one must keepe himselfe within the bounds of his calling. Ioseph did beare the person of¹ Christ in all this, where we learne, that although the Lord doe iustly afflict vs, yet wee may be sure our sinnes are alreadie forgiuen vs, as Ioseph dealt with his brethren.

1. 1Joseph imprisoning his brethren.Ioseph imprisoning his brethren.

3 Peace sometime is taken for a prosperous and quiet state in this life, as go ye in¹ peace: Sometime for quietness of conscience, but here it is taken for them both, and riseth wholly of the feeling of Gods mercies: we ought then to walk in the course of godliness, without fear; and to assure our selves of the preservation of this our state: all our happiness then is in Christs mercies, and it should be our chief care continually to come to the feeling of them. But because peace cannot be without the feeling of Gods mercies, and his mercies, without the feeling of our miseries, therefore none shall have ever peace of conscience, or quietness and joy of those things which he possesseth, except he hath first been touched with the feeling of his miseries. The worldly rich men then have not this peace, for they know they are but usurpers, because they be not lively members of Christ, who was of his Father made heir of all things. Again, the godly though they be in great want, yet have all things because they have the peace and quietness of their conscience, they do then preposterously, which first lay up for them and their children the riches of this world, and do not seek the kingdom of heaven. The word salvation ought to make a difference between us and the Heathen, which say, health and peace is all with them, but let us be content with that which the Apostle used, and neither follow the Heathen, nor invent courtly terms of our selves.