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,…

therefore we may well take it as a third mark or rule, whereby to prove and try our selves.

therefore we may well take it as a third marke or rule, whereby to proue and trie our selues.

The fourth and last rule is, in considering the work and effect which Gods mercy received,¹ doth work in us: for, herein do the wicked show their wickedness two ways, First, on the right hand, the mercies of God do work in them a wonderful contentation:² but not such as causeth them to return the glory unto God, nay rather it is such, as causeth them to take all glory to themselves: for the graces of God do puff them up, and make them proud, and conceited in themselves. Here of there ariseth a great security, which bringeth first neglect, and afterward contempt of all good means, whereby they should grow up in goodness. On the left hand others offend, being never pleased nor contented with that they have: nay indeed forgetting and lightly esteeming that they have, and still desiring new. These men besides that they be unthankful, they do also murmur³ and grudge against God, & are never pleased with him Between these two, do the children of God hold a middle and even course: and therefore we shall see these things in them. First, a sight & an acknowledging of the wants which do move them, as S. Peter ⁴saith, Like new borne babes, to desire the sweet and sincere milk of the word, that thereby the graces they have may be increased, and their other wants may be supplied▪ and so far are they from being puffed up with pride, that they rejoice when their pride may be pulled⁵