Sermon for the Reformation of our Sinful and Wicked Lives, Title page – Dedication
A FRVITFVL AND GODLY SERMON; CONTAINING NEceſſary and profitable doctrine, for the reformation of our ſinfull and wicked liues, but eſpecially for the comfort of a troubled Conſcience in all diſtreſſes.
By M. Richard Greenham Paſtor of DRAYTON.
EDINBVRGH PRINTED BY RObert Walde-graue, Printer to the Kings Majeſtie. An. 1595.
Cum Priuilegio Regio.
TO THE VERTVOVS AND GODLY MATRON, SARA SPE…R, Grace, merciemercy and peace, in Chriſt Ieſus, Amen.
DEare Siſter, you knowe this World is not your home, but a Pilgrimage, and a place wherein God trieth his children: And I doubt not, but you hauehave learned, howe to make right vſe and profit of the Lord his merciful chaſtiſements: For, the Lord vſeth many waies and meanes for the triall of his. I knowe, You hauehave heard of the patience of IOB, (as ſaith the Apoſtle IAMES) and you hauehave ſeene in the end, how that God is merciful, patient and long ſuffering: euen ſo ſay I vntounto you, that you ſhall receiue accordingly, if ſo be you be patient: that is, if you feare God, ſet his vvord before your eies, and ſerue him thereafter: and if hee lay his croſſe on you, beare it with patience, the which you ſhall do, when you conſidder it, not according to the preſent ſenſe, but according to the end. Heb. 12. And I doubt not, but you are of the number of them, which are daily dying to themſelues, and this ſinfull world: Ye are one of them that lookes for a citie, whoſe builder and maker is God: Heb. 13. 14Ye are one of them that knowes your ſelfe and your being,Geneſ. 15. 13. 14. to be in this earth, but as a Pilgrime and ſtranger: for heere yee hauehave no byding place: Yee are one of them which hauehave made a Covenant with God, Deut. 29. 14. 15.to forſake your ſelfe, and this ſinfull World: Yee are one of them,Mal. 3. 16. vvho ſay, Nay, The Lord hath all things written in his memoriall book, for ſuch as feare him & remember his Name: Yee are one of them, vvhichwhich hauehave their Loynes girded about, Luk. 52. 35and their lights burning in their hands: Like vntounto ſervants that wayte vponupon their Lordes comming: Yea, and I am certainlie perſwaded, that you (and your godly Brethren and Siſter,) are of the number of them, vvho hauehave the Lord for their portion, Deut. 32. …which hauehave their hope in heaven, Col. 1. 27.vvhoſe leader is Chriſt Ieſus the ſonne of God, and governour of Heaven and Earth, vntounto him is given all power, Mat. 28. 18.he is God almightie with the Father and the holy Ghoſt, praiſe vvorthie for euermore.
Now (deare ſiſter) I partly knowing the preſent eſtate of your troubled & perplexed minde, in regard of the want of your greateſt outwarde comfort, I thoght it good, to preſent you with this ſweet Sermon (made by that godly-learned & zealous Paſtor of Chriſts Church, M. RICHARD GREENHAM) which by Gods providence came vntounto my handes; containing a comfort for a troubled conſcience, he being throgh the mercy of God, a man greatly exerciſed therewith, and therfore taught the ſame through his owne experience: hoping, through the working of Gods holy ſpirit, it ſhal alſo miniſter comfort vntounto your trobled mind. Therfore (my dear ſiſter) to conclude, I beſeech you to be inſtāt with our merciful God, by harty praier, for the ſpirit of wiſdome, knowledge, humblenes, meeknes, ſobriety & repentance, which euen the beſt of Gods Children hauehave great neede of, becauſe our ſins continuallie prouokes the Lord our God to be angrie with vsus: but let vsus beare his fatherly corrections, & acknowledge our faults with bitter tears, and ſorrowfull ſighes: not doubting, but ſo hee will be mercifull vntounto vsus in Chriſt: To whome with the Father and the holy ſpirit, be all glory, honour, praiſe, and everlaſting thanks, for euermore. Amen.
Your wel-willer in the Lord Chriſt. R. W.