A02178:4716
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
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.
15 We never will labour to leave sin, so long as we be quiet in mind, but still flatter1 our selves and bedaub our consciences with rotten plasters, until we be either stricken with fear, or cast down with judgements. The greatness and enormity of sin is seen by six points: First, on Gods behalf how huge and detestable it is may be seen, who by sin is so greatly dishonoured: for how much the higher his Majesty is, so much the greater2 enormity it is to sin against him. Secondly, sin is noted by the quality of a sinner.3 Sins are made so much the higher & greater, the more that a man is bound unto equity: for the more and greater benefits he hath received of God, so much the more is he bound to do his will. Thirdly, it is weighed and noted in the quality of the matter, whereabout4 the sin is committed: for a sin against mans person or name is greater, than against his substance or goods: but those sins are most grievous which are directly done against God, which do impeach and touch his Majesty, so nearly piercing him, as it were to the quick, as distrust, despair, blasphemy, idolatry, &c. Fourthly, sins measured by5 means of the end which the sinner bendeth to: for the worse that the intent or purpose of the sinner is, the more grievous is his sin. Fifthly, circumstances are to be respected of time,6 and place. Sixthly, of the very deformity of sin it self according to it self, the which is always7 so much the greater and more loathsome, as the virtue is more excellent and worthy which is contrary to it: whereupon as the love of God is the highest virtue, so on the contrary part the hatred of God is the greatest vice. S. Gregory saith, A vile and stinking carrion is more tolerable to mans sent, than a sinful soul unto God. So then if we fear, and be unwilling to appear vile, filthy, and detestable before the holy and most worthy Majesty of God, and if we abhor that the countenance of our Creator should be turned