A02178:3885
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,…
The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: revised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as love the truth, and desire to know the power of godliness. By H.H.The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham, minister and preacher of the Word of God collected into one volume: reuised, corrected, and published, for the further building of all such as loue the truth, and desire to know the power of godlinesse. By H.H.
London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for William Welby, 1612London: printed by Thomas Snodham and Thomas Creede for VVilliam VVelby, 1612
Part 4 › MEDITATIONS ON PROV. 4. VERS: 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 2… › Part
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now that we be not deceived herein, it is requisite that we make some trial of our hearts, whereby we may be truly humbled if we find them corrupted: or we may be comforted, if through the blood of Christ we do feel our sins washed away. Our hearts are tried two ways, either by afflictions and temptations, or else by the motions and affections thereof For if there be any corruption in our hearts, it will appear by one of these.1 Sure it is, that as a man doth show himself in troubles and temptations, such a one he is indeed: if troubles do not overturn him, if fear cause him not to fall away, if temptations cannot move him to forsake the truth, or to deny his profession; then verily he hath a good argument that his heart is upright; he hath great cause of comfort and rejoicing. But contrariwise, if for fear his heart faint, if for troubles he turn away, if in temptation he forget his trial, and betray the truth; his heart is not upright with God, he is in the gall of bitterness, he ought in his heart to be greatly humbled. Before this time of trial come, he may think well of himself, he may persuade his heart that there is great godliness in him: but if he examine not himself, if he do not strictly look unto his heart, his virtue ⟨p. 619⟩will prove vanity, and such godliness will work his grief.
Now that wee be not deceiu•d herein, it is requisite that wee make some triall of our hearts, whereby we may be truly humbled if we finde them corrupted: or we may be comforted, if through the blood of Christ wee doe feele our sinnes washed away. Our hearts are tryed two wayes, either by afflictions and temptations, or else by the motions and affections thereof For if there be any corruption in our hearts, it will appeare by one of these.1 Sure it is, that as a man doth shew himselfe in troubles and temptations, such a one he is indeed: if troubles doe not ouerturne him, if feare cause him not to fall away, if temptations cannot moue him to forsake the truth, or to deny his profession; then verily he hath a good argument that his heart is vpright; he hath great cause of comfort and reioycing. But contrariwise, if for feare his heart faint, if for troubles he turne away, if in temptation he forget his triall, and betray the truth; his heart is not vpright with God, he is in the gall of bitternes, he ought in his heart to be greatly humbled. Before this time of triall come, hee may thinke well of himselfe, he may perswade his heart that there is great godlines in him: but if he examine not himselfe, if he do not streightly looke vnto his heart, his vertue