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,…

Let us proceed a little further, that we may see into the corruption of our hearts. We purpose to deal faithfully, we purpose to hear the word, to read it. These things in themselves are very good: yet if we be not careful over our hearts, their corruption will pollute and defile them. For if we be moved hereunto (not with any zeal of Gods glory) but with a care of our own credit, not because in Truth we would countenance the Gospel,¹ but because we would get some countenance by it, the thing good in it own nature is made evil unto us and sinful, because our hearts are not right in the thing. And how many be thus deceived, may soon appear by the small fruit, which most men do get by the word. For when we see many very diligent in hearing of the word, yet profiting nothing, nor desiring to profit, it is undoubtedly true, that those men are deceived by their own hearts, which are not right with God. If there were any conscience, if there were any heart or spirit in men, they would profit something, or at least they would be greatly grieved for their not profiting. Moreover, when we have brought our purpose to practise and have done any good thing indeed; even then I say, may we be beguiled, if we take not good heed. The corruption of our heart is ready to make us proud of well-doing, whereas indeed we should be humbled: it is ready to make us glory in that, for which we should give glory to GOD; it is ready to make that an occasion of slothful carelessness, which should be as a spur to make us more careful. Therefore when the thing is done, when the work is wrought, and when all our purpose is brought to pass, we must still be careful over our hearts, we must still have an eye to them, that our corruption be in no wise hurtful to that good grace which God hath given us. Thus whether we purpose to leave sin, or we leave it indeed, yet we may be deceived by our hearts, if they be not right in doing of them. Therefore above all things we must take heed unto our hearts: otherwise, we may do many goodly & glorious things in the sight of men, yet our hearts will one day accuse us for them, our conscience will check and control us, and God, which is greater then our consciences, will utterly condemn us.

Let vs proceede a little further, that we may see into the corruption of our hearts. We purpose to deale faithfully, we purpose to heare the word, to reade it. These things in themselues are very good: yet if wee be not carefull ouer our hearts, their corruption will pollute and defile them. For if we be moued hereunto (not with any zeale of Gods glorie) but with a care of our owne credit, not because in Truth wee would countenance the Gospell,