A02178:4722
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
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.
18 All the senses especially the eyes, as they are most singular instruments to receive1 good things by, if they by Gods spirit be directed: so if they be not well ordered, do bring greatest evils, and therefore David prayeth that his eyes might be guided aright, and Job 2maketh a covenant with his eyes, under which the other parts are included, as also when David maketh a covenant with his mouth. Joseph his mistress first offended in looking without a cause: for the wantonness of vain looks bewray the corruption of the heart, we must then strive to have a lawful cause of all our doings, that so we may be assured of Gods providence to watch over us, least if any harm happen unto us, we be the just occasion thereof. Secondly, she offended in not keeping a measure: for whosoever seeth his own corruptions truly, will be afraid of the very appearance of evil, as Job, although he was never adulterer, yet privy to his corruption he made a covenant with his eyes. Josephs mistress spake to him day by day and he refuseth, she abideth still in her evil purpose, but he still refuseth her, and here is the difference between Gods children and the wicked, the one continueth still in wickedness and would have all others such, the other persevere in godliness, and would bring all men to the same, she was convinced of her fault, and yet sorrowed not but continued. Where note, the oftener sin the less grief, a note of the children 3of the devil. But contrarily, the oftener sin the more grief, a note of the child of God. Joseph was young about thirty four years, and yet chaste, contrary to those that say, fornication is but a trick of youth. Joseph was enticed and yet yielded not, a sign of a pure heart, for although temptations be offered of those, yet it proceedeth of our corruption that we yield to them. As Bathsheba yielded to David because she was corrupted: Joseph yielded not to his mistress, because his heart was pure. If we will be clean in all, let us first know our hearts, and see where we are weakest, and get a special defence against that, otherwise we4 shall take too much liberty, and indeed the chastest in heart, will be chastest in look, because they know their own corruption and strive against it, for whosoever hateth sin truly, will hate the garment defiled with sin: