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,…

As the common proverb is; Trueth may be blamed, but trueth can never be ashamed, and iniquity may be ocuered for a time, but yet iniquity one day shall be discovered. It cannot be denied, that it is a singular blessing, which is said of our Saviour Christ, to grow in favour with God and man, and to be loved of both, as it is reported of Samuel: because as it is, Eccles 7. 3. A good name is better than a good ointment, and Prou. 22 1. is to be chosen above great riches, and loving favour is above silver, and above gold: neither can there come a more grievous cross to a liberal nature and stout person, than want of it. Howbeit, to search out the cause of discredit, we must always enter into it, whether our conscience telleth us that we suffer as well doers, not as ill doers. For even the very Heathen said; that a mans conscience is as a theatre in the world. Wherefore if we suffer discredit justly because of sin, it is to be lamented: but when we have faith in Gods promises, and a good conscience flowing from our faith, though we never so much be discredited, it is a small thing. Great is the love of our selves, and great is the care which we have to maintain our credit. For many will be content to hazard their lives, which cannot be content to endanger their good name. For if a man live bereft of his good name, he had almost as live be bereft of his life. And therefore Heretics, as the Family of love, give in precept: that they should rather die, than suffer the credit of their sect to fall. And no marvel: for they see no better life, neither do they feel any true comfort of God in their prosperity, neither can they truly call upon him in their trouble. Thus we see how a name is esteemed in the world.

As the common prouerbe is; Trueth may be blamed, but trueth can neuer be ashamed, and iniquitie may be ocuered for a time, but yet iniquitie one day shall bee discouered. It cannot be denied, that it is a singular blessing, which is said of our Sauiour Christ, to grow in fauour with God and man, and to be loued of both, as it is reported of Samuel: because as it is, Eccles 7. 3. A good name is better than a good oyntment, and Prou. 22 1. is to bee chosen aboue great riches, and louing fauour is aboue siluer, and aboue gold: neither can there come a more grieuous crosse to a liberall nature and stout person, than want of it. Howbeit, to search out the cause of discredit, wee must alwayes enter into it, whether our conscience telleth vs that wee suffer as well doers, not as ill doers. For euen the very Heathen said; that a mans conscience is as a theater in the world. Wherefore if wee suffer discredit iustly because of sinne, it is to be lamented: but when we haue faith in Gods promises, and a good conscience flowing from our faith, though we neuer so much bee discredited, it is a small thing. Great is the loue of our selues, and great is the care which we haue to maintaine our credit. For many will bee content to hazard their liues, which cannot bee contēt to endanger their good name. For if a man liue bereft of his good name, he had almost as liue bee bereft of his life. And therefore Heretikes, as the Familie of loue, giue in precept: that they should rather die, than suffer the credit of their sect to fall. And no maruell: for they see no better life, neither do they feele any true comfort of God in their prosperitie, neither can they truly call vpon him in their trouble. Thus we see how a name is esteemed in the world.