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,…

Hereof it cometh to pass that many do continue in their sins, and are not delivered¹ from the power of them: because they are not wounded with a fear of Gods judgement, and so driven to seek their help in Christ, but in their own power: for thinking sin to be but a small matter, they go about to suppress it by their own strength, and by their own power to subdue and overcome it. Wherefore the Lord, that he may let them see that without the help of Christ, their strength is nothing and their labour spent in vain: doth suffer them again, and again to be buffeted with their sins: yea and if they will not then fly out of themselves unto Christ, they shall receive the foil & be overcome therewith: to the end they might be brought & framed at the length (if they belong unto God) to be fit matter for the Lord to work upon. And then no doubt, if we can come thus humbled in our selves under the mighty hand of God; and by unfeigned prayer, crave forgiveness at the Lords hands, for Jesus Christs sake, and desire continually the assistance of his holy spirit, we shall increase in faith, and feel the clear forgiveness of our sins, and in him ⟨p. 782⟩we shall find strength against sin, and shall feel his power working in our weakness, or² as sorrow must go before, so repentance must come fast after forgiveness.

Hereof it commeth to passe that many doe continue in their sinnes, and are not deliuered¹ from the power of them: because they are not wounded with a feare of Gods iudgement, and so driuen to seeke their helpe in Christ, but in their owne power: for thinking sin to be but a small matter, they goe about to suppresse it by their own strength, and by their owne power to subdue and ouercome it. Wherefore the Lord, that hee may let them see that without the helpe of Christ, their strength is nothing and their labour spent in vaine: doth suffer them againe, and againe to be buffeted with their sinnes: yea and if they wil not then flie out of themselues vnto Christ, they shall receiue the foyle & be ouercome therewith: to the end they might be brought & framed at the length (if they belong vnto God) to be fit matter for the Lord to worke vpon. And then no doubt, if we can come thus humbled in our selues vnder the mightie hand of God; and by vnfained praier, craue forgiuenesse at the Lords hands, for Iesus Christs sake, and desire continually the assistance of his holy spirit, wee shall encrease in faith, and feele the cleare forgiuenes of our sins, and in him