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,…

I speak this to this end, that poor souls might have comfort, and know that if they abhor sin as sin, if they examine themselves for it, if they groan under it, if they mislike ⟨p. 105⟩themselves for it, if they fear to fall into it; the Lord will not pursue them with the rigour of his law, but will give them the sweetness of his promises; they are no more under the curse, but under grace.

I speake this to this end, that poore soules might haue comfort, and know that if they abhorre sinne as sinne, if they examine themselues for it, if they grone vnder it, if they mislike ⟨p. 105⟩themselues for it, if they feare to fall into it; the Lord will not pursue them with the rigor of his law, but will giue them the sweetnes of his promises; they are no more vnder the curse, but vnder grace.

But further to enforce our exhortation, to avoid too scrupulous a fear, which hindereth¹ the true examination of our hearts: let us think that it happeneth in the spiritual conflict as in civill wars. We read that many cities lying in great security, have suddenly both been assaulted and overthrown; as also how some Countries (too much negligent in the means) through an excessive fearfulness, have encouraged their enemies with more greedy violence to pray upon them. With which kind of stratagems our adversary me devil being well acquainted, doth often practise this policy. If he see us without all fear too quietly to rest in our selves, he thinketh his assault must needs be the stronger, because our resistance is the weaker. Again, if he descrieth in us a cowardly fear and fainting of heart, before we once begin to join battle with him; he will set upon our immoderate fear, and as villainously as suddenly stab us to the heart, and make a present spoil of us.

But further to inforce our exhortation, to auoyde too scrupulous a feare, which hindereth