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,…

So Abraham and David being patterns of Gods mercy, are also patterns of our weakness. Abraham in denying Sarah to be his wife both to Pharaoh and to Abimel•ch: Davids confession not found at the first: the sin was left of him, yet he had not repented; sin was past, but grace not come: his heart was hard until the Prophet had been with him, as Psal. 32. which is a Psalm of forgiveness of sins, notwithstanding he there showeth the hypocrisy of their heart: for being in great affliction, as a bladder dried up, he could not come then to confess his sin. This is general: Job. 33. 9. I am clean, I am innocent.

So Abraham and Dauid being patternes of Gods mercie, are also patternes of our weakenesse. Abraham in denying Sarah to be his wife both to Pharaoh and to Abimel•ch: Dauids confession not found at the first: the sinne was left of him, yet hee had not repented; sinne was past, but grace not come: his heart was hard vntill the Prophet had been with him, as Psal. 32. which is a Psalme of forgiuenes of sinnes, notwithstanding hee there sheweth the hypocrisie of their heart: for being in great affliction, as a bladder dried vp, he could not come then to confesse his sinne. This is generall: Iob. 33. 9. I am cleane, I am innocent.

And marvel not that men are unwilling to confess, for confession presupposeth accusation: and who will accuse himself by name, except he be moved by grace, or be frantic? Yea being accused, whose natures will yield, seeing what grief, what sorrow, what shame, what humility must needs follow? For sin is grievous, God is glorious, the law is holy. It is hard to be covered, punishment is fearful, a precious price is rejected; and who will see the judgements of God, by condemning themselves, and will not be ready to despair? Naturally therefore confess we cannot.