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 third note is, that we never content our selves in our selves, nor in the things that we have done, but still go forward to leave sin, and draw near to God. And this may be seen in Abraham▪ and is set down in the Proverbs. And Paul saith, As many as are perfect ¹are thus minded. Here then are disclosed those that either stay in the beginnings, or else slide back when they are gone somewhat forward. For if we have tasted once of the good grace of God, and then turn back from it, it is impossible to be renewed by repentance, whereof there are two causes: first, because they are always learning and never the better, Isaiah. 28. where the Prophet rebuketh, saying: Line upon line, and precept upon precept. Secondly, because that if they attain to knowledge: yet do they not build themselves thereupon to keep a good conscience: & thus experience teacheth in those that become heretics. This is so fearful to the godly, that they had rather fall into all the miseries of Job than into this Apostasy. We must then go on still, giving God praise that we have² done something, and yet not so much to be puffed up thereby, as sorrowful that we have not done so much as we ought, so that we look upon our sins to humble us, & upon that good which the Lord hath wrought in us, to be thankful▪ But yet sometimes the children of God see they go not forward, but as it were linger, yea they sometimes fall into gross sins: for the first, if we strive not against it, mislike not our selves for it▪ nor mourn because it is so with us, we are in danger that the Lord will bar us out. And if he punish³ those that go not forward thus, what shall be to those that fall back? But if we mislike our selves for our sins, & mourn striving against them, we may take sound comfort therein. And for the second, the Lord turneth the falls of his children to their faster going forward⁴ and growing up: for so they see their corruption more, wherewith being humbled, (though it be a very fearful thing for Christians to fall into any gross sin) they fly faster unto Christ. And again, their fall maketh them more wary, and also to run forward the faster, as they that run in a race, or travel in a journey, being letted either by fall or by company, do afterward make more speed least that they should not obtain their purpose.