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,…

He further showeth that this was a true care, in that it began at his heart: for here is the beginning of all goodness, here is the root of religion, and here the foundation of our faith must be laid. It is not the refraining from outward actions, it is not the restraining of the outward man: but it is the heart that we must travel about, and take care for. Hereof it came to pass, that many of the Kings & people in the books of Chronicles continued in godliness, and kept an even and equal course, because they prepared their hearts; as Hezekiah, Josiah, and others: and hereof it came to pass that many fell from the faith, because they sought not God in their hearts; as the Scribes and Pharisees, which cleansed the outward ⟨p. 488⟩actions only It must then be our lesson which we must study on, to take care to our hearts above all things, and to make the beginning there. For the cleanness of that pleaseth God, and the filth of that displeaseth him.

He further sheweth that this was a true care, in that it began at his heart: for here is the beginning of al goodnes, here is the roote of religion, and here the foundation of our faith must be laid. It is not the refraining from outward actions, it is not the restraining of the outward man: but it is the heart that wee must trauell about, and take care for. Hereof it came to passe, that many of the Kings & people in the books of Chronicles continued in godlinesse, and kept an euen and equall course, because they prepared their hearts; as Ezechias, Iosias, and others: and hereof it came to passe that many fell from the faith, because they sought not God in their hearts; as the Scribes and Pharisies, which clensed the outward ⟨p. 488⟩actions onely It must then be our lesson which we must studie on, to take care to our hearts aboue al things, and to make the beginning there. For the cleannes of that pleaseth God, and the filth of that displeaseth him.

But when he saith, I have inclined, doth he mean that of himself he could apply his heart as he listed? No, no, he meant nothing less. For he was conceived in sin; and how then were the preparations of his heart in his own hand Again, he prayeth, portion 5. Incline mine heart unto, &c. where he doth plainly show, that it was God that turned his heart at his good pleasure. And no marvel truly, for the heart of man can no further be tried out, or spied, than the Lord doth gauge and open it, that we may see thereinto,