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,…

Oh that the serious meditation hereof would dwell long upon our consciences: that with an holy jealousy we might prevent the sin that is to come. But alas, there be some venturous knights, which think it no mastery to offer themselves to masking, minstrelsy and dancing, nor to run into quarrels, brawls and contentions, as though they had their ears, their eyes, their hands, and their feet in their own power, and at commandment to use and govern as themselves list. Howbeit, Gods children better fenced with his grace, than those bold bayards, are afraid of these occasions: as knowing full well, that their eyes may soon be provoked to lust, their ears may quickly listen unto unchaste delights, their hands may suddenly strike a deadly blow, and their feet may easily be s•ared ⟨p. 104⟩in carnal pleasures. Beware O man, be circumspect O woman, that thou prostitute not¹ thy self to too much liberty: for although in coming to such lascivious and contentious places thou diddest purpose none evil: yet for thy venturing without warrant, thou mayest be over thy shoes in sin, and plunged in some wicked attempt over head and ears, ere thou beest aware. And because vice is so confine unto virtue, beware also of superstition: for still the enemy laboureth either to make thee too hardy in sin, or else he will cause thee to be too fearful and superstitious; either he will puff thee up with presumption, or assault thee with desperation. To these tentations our nature is very pliable: first to presumption, as may appear by our common speech; •ush, the preacher is but a man as I am, I am sure he hath infirmities as others have; we are no Angels, our nature is corrupt,² we are but flesh, I am sure you would not have us Gods. Thus the devil cometh to tempt; but he apparelleth himself in another suit when he cometh to accuse, and then of a fly he makes an Elephant; of the very smallest prick of a pin, a globe of the whole earth; of a molehill a mountain: and presseth silly souls with fears and terrors, that they know not how to wind out themselves. If he cannot bring them to make no conscience, where they should make conscience, he will labour to bring them to make conscience where they need make no conscience. He careth not whether thou wilt be remiss or superstitious, so thou be one of them.