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,…

David did lie an whole year without this prick of conscience, and thought that all was well,¹ until Nathan came, neither did he find comfort of conscience, until he had thus been pricked, Josephs brethren was thirteen years, and never remembered their sins, until after such time the Lord laid it before them. The Prophet David, Psalm. 32. (which he entitled a Psalm of instruction concerning the free remission of sins) teacheth how we² shall find the same. For many persuaded themselves, that their sins are forgiven, when they be not. He also showeth, that until trouble of mind did drive him to particularize and confess his special sins to God, he found no comfort. Manasseh did eat the bread of sorrow, and did drink the water of grief, and until he had lamented and sorrowed for his sins he felt no rest, nor peace. The woman of Samaria, John 4. was pleasant, and jested with our Saviour Christ, until her sins were opened, and then she began to answer with more reverence. For until she was willed to call her husband, she thought all was safe: but after he had told her, that she had played the adulteress, she acknowledged ⟨p. 284⟩him that he was a Prophet. Wherefore we may see by this which hath been spoken, that the word of God only pricketh our consciences, as plainly may here appear by the Jews, who cared not for the Apostles, nor made any conscience, until their hearts were pricked.

Dauid did lie an whole yeere without this pricke of conscience, and thought that all was well,¹ vntill Nathan came, neither did he finde comfort of conscience, vntill he had thus been pricked, Iosephs brethren was thirteene yeeres, and neuer remembred their sinnes, vntill after such time the Lord laid it before them. The Prophet Dauid, Psalm. 32. (which he intituled a Psalme of instruction concerning the free remission of sinnes) teacheth how we