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,…

For fear which subdueth the security of the flesh is in all most requisite, in that the weaker we are in our selves, the stronger we are in God. But that fear is dangerous, which hindereth the certainty of faith, in that it encourageth our enemy more fiercely to set upon us; when we (coming into the camp) will cast away our armour especially which should defend us. Comfort thy self, the Lord will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed, he looketh not on the quantity, but on the quality of our faith. For as a good mother doth not reject her child because through some infirmity it is weak, feeble, and not able to go alone, but rather doth pity and support it, least peradventure it should fall, and recompenseth that with motherly affection, which in her child is wanting¹ by occasion: in like manner the Lord God our most gracious father doth not cast us off, because through our imperfections we are unable or afraid to draw nearer to the throne of grace; but rather pitieth us, and seeing us a far off desirous to come unto him, meeteth ⟨p. 115⟩us by the way, and by grace and strength of his own hand, directeth our steppes unto his kingdom. And as he which freely purposeth to give a wedge of gold, will not withdraw² his gift because the hand of him that should receive it, is weak, troubled with the gout, palsy, or leprosy, so that by any means, though in great weakness, he be able to hold it; even so the Lord purposing in free mercy to bestow on us an immortal weight of glory, will not deprive us of it, though many filthy blemishes have polluted and weakened our faith, so that in any small measure we be able to take hold of his promises: neither are we to look for the perfection of faith, because we never believe as we ought; but rather on that which the Gospel offereth and giveth, and on Gods mercy and peace in Christ: in whose lap if we can lay our heads with Saint John, then we are in felicity, security, and perfect quietness. Contrariwise there be some, who (notwithstanding that a tormented conscience is a stinging Serpent, that it were much better that all the creatures rose up against us, every one bringing their bane; then once to come before the dreadful face of God) are so blockish that they are wholly resolved into hardness. If they be pricked with sickness,³