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,…

Which would seem strange to a man, that there should be a commixtion of two such requests, were it not that through corruption we were then most ready to be tempted, when we have tasted of the greatest mercy. And surely as this was the first sin whereby Satan fastened upon Adam: so it is the last sin which the most godly •ail by. For when all sins are as it were wounded, and all graces begin to abound? even out of the ashes of those sins ariseth this monstrous sin of vain-glory. And when Satan can find courteous entertainment, now he will not doubt to prevail by egging us to this one sin, that is, to be proud for overcoming so many sins, and excelling in so many graces. Surely if the devil mistrusted not this weapon of proof, even in paradise, and that upon man, being in his innocency; we must think that he hopeth as well now to get the victory in this wicked world upon man so sinful, who now is as tender and as apt to receive the least spark of vain-glory, as the enemy is both strong and subtle to strike it on us.

Which would seeme strange to a man, that there should be a commixtion of two such requests, were it not that through corruption wee were then most readie to be tempted, when wee haue tasted of the greatest mercie. And surely as this was the first sinne whereby Satan fastened vpon Adam: so it is the last sinne which the most godlie •ail by. For when all sinnes are as it were wounded, and all graces begin to abound? euen out of the ashes of those sinnes ariseth this monstrous sinne of vaine-glorie. And when Satan can finde courteous entertainment, now hee will not doubt to preuaile by egging vs to this one sinne, that is, to be proude for ouercomming so many sinnes, and excelling in so many graces. Surely if the diuell mistrusted not this weapon of proofe, euen in paradise, and that vpon man, being in his innocencie; wee must thinke that he hopeth as well now to get the victorie in this wicked world vpon man so sinfull, who now is as tender and as apt to receiue the least sparke of vain-glorie, as the enemie is both strong and subtill to strike it on vs.

Yet further observe, that when our Lord Jesus Christ was most full of Gods spirit, he was then led to be tempted in the wilderness; when he was most furnished, he was most tried. On like manner, when we have received some great gifts, we must look both that the Lord for his part will take some trial of them, and that Satan also watching for the richest pray, and gaping for a man when he hopes to have the best spoil, will for his part there use the most force and cunning, where he findeth the rarest and most notable servants of God: partly because he most envieth them, and partly for that by pride he thinketh soonest to inveigle them. Wherefore if Gods children shall truly examine their own hearts in this sin, they shall have some testimony and trial in themselves, whether they be thankful for Gods mercies in truth or no, if having received much they fear much: and by how much the more they increase in gifts, by so much they grow the more jealous over