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,…

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.

And marueile not that men are vnwilling to confesse, for confession presupposeth accusation: and who will accuse himselfe by name, except he be moued by grace, or be franticke? Yea being accused, whose natures will yeeld, seeing what griefe, what sorrow, what shame, what humilitie must needes follow? For sinne is grieuous, God is glorious, the law is holy. It is hard to be couered, punishment is fearefull, a pretious price is reiected; and who will see the iudgements of God, by condemning themselues, and will not bee readie to dispaire? Naturally therefore confesse we cannot.

Thou having done sin, wouldest not now do it: but where is grace to love God? how hard a thing then to confess where God giveth not grace?

Thou hauing done sin, wouldest not now doe it: but where is grace to loue God? how hard a thing then to confesse where God giueth not grace?

We must begin with our selves. I have marvelled at many who could weep bitterly for other mens sins, but could not shed a tear for their own: but when thou hast felt the smart of sin in thy self, then canst thou rightly acknowledge the sins of others: then art thou come to some good measure of this grace: And being escaped, with the Prophet