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,…

6 What is the cause that men can be so well content to lie in their sins without repentance,¹ and think all is well, if they can for a while forbear and abstain from them? This no doubt is the cause, because they set not themselves before the judgement fear of God,² and of Christ, and therein fear to consider how grievous a thing sin is in the sight of God:³ how greatly it displeaseth him, and what fearful condemnation abideth them, that securely⁴ and carelessly continue in their sins. For if men could consider this, that their sins provoke⁵ the wrath of the Lord against them, and do procure everlasting condemnation to be poured out upon them, they would no doubt feel sin most grievous unto them, yea, a burden that presseth them down to hell, then would their spirits be vexed within them, and their hearts bruised with the due consideration of their sins▪ yet all this would not bring them out of their sins. For the law condemneth and worketh wrath, and the judgements of the Lord do cast down, wound and kill, that so we might be fit to receive the Lord Jesus, who came to raise up, to heal and give life to such as are fallen sick, and dead. And still is he present to help those which are in like manner distressed: for till such time he will not work upon them, to cure and deliver them from their sins: he was sent only to the sick, &c. and those no doubt he will heal.

6 What is the cause that men can be so well content to lie in their sins without repentance,¹ and thinke all is well, if they can for a while forbeare and abstaine from them? This no doubt is the cause, because they set not themselues before the iudgement feare of God,² and of Christ, and therein feare to consider how grieuous a thing sin is in the sight of God: