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,…

But to come to the use and fruit which we may gather out of this doctrine. First let us consider that if we be come to have such a brawned and thick skin over our consciences,¹ as neither by public preaching, nor private reading, as neither by the Law, nor by the Gospel, as neither with threatenings nor promises, as neither by praying nor meditating, we can find neither matter of comfort, nor humbling; we are so far from humility, that we are as men rather dead than humbled, and our case is most fearful. For in this Stoical apathy and want of feeling, we fear nothing; fearing nothing, we are easy to ⟨p. 272⟩be deceived; being easy to be deceived, we may soon be hardened, and so by security being deprived of all heedfulness, we are snared of the tempter ere we can be aware.

But to come to the vse and fruit which we may gather out of this doctrine. First let vs consider that if we be come to haue such a brawned and thicke skinne ouer our consciences,¹ as neither by publike preaching, nor priuate reading, as neither by the Law, nor by the Gospell, as neither with threatnings nor promises, as neither by praying nor meditating, wee can finde neither matter of comfort, nor humbling; wee are so farre from humilitie, that we are as men rather dead than humbled, and our case is most fearefull. For in this Stoicall apathie and want of feeling, wee feare nothing; fearing nothing, wee are easie to ⟨p. 272⟩be deceiued; being easie to be deceiued, wee may soone be hardned, and so by securitie being depriued of all heedfulnes, we are snared of the tempter ere we can be aware.

1. 1A heart obdurate and hard in sin.A heart obdurate and hard in sinne.