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,…

If he reply that this is not so, but the contrary; we may answer, that albeit there have been many times, wherein we had a more present and mighty hand of the Lord upon us; yet even now Satan himself cannot deny, but we hate sin and love righteousness: that we love God and (to our power) obey his will, and fly the baits and occasions of evil: whereof if there were for the present no manifest and apparent effects, (as yet by the grace of God there are) notwithstanding the only affection and desire of the heart, thirsting and longing after Gods kingdom and his righteousness, are sufficient arguments of the work of grace begun in us, which shall so long be continued by the good hand of our heavenly father, until it be consummated and perfected in the life to come. For if it be God (as the Apostle saith) that giveth both the will and¹ the deed: he that hath given us to desire to obey his will, will also enable us unto the doing of the same. And seeing the work of sanctification beginneth in the heart, and thence floweth into our whole life, we nothing doubt, but God, who hath given us joy in the holy Ghost, and thereby a love unto him & unto his law, will further confirm & strengthen us, that we may be vessels of honour unto his name, and glorify the Gospel of our profession with fruits agreeable and according thereunto. Yea the thoughts, meditations, and desires of the heart, are deeds before God, and principal parts of that obedience which he requireth at our hands. And therefore if the faithful man should be taken away by death before he hath done any of the outward works of the law; yet should not his faith be without fruits, in that being sanctified in the inward man, he doth now in soul & spirit serve the Lord, and desireth ability and opportunity in act to do his will, and to honour his name; as appeared in that penitent malefactor that died with our Saviour Christ.²

If he replie that this is not so, but the contrarie; we may answere, that albeit there haue been many times, wherein we had a more present and mightie hand of the Lord vpon vs; yet euen now Satan himselfe cannot denie, but we hate sinne and loue righteousnes: that we loue God and (to our power) obey his will, and flye the baites and occasions of euill: whereof if there were for the present no manifest and apparant effects, (as yet by the grace of God there are) notwithstanding the onely affection and desire of the heart, thirsting and longing after Gods kingdome and his righteousnes, are sufficient arguments of the worke of grace begun in vs, which shall so long bee continued by the good hand of our heauenly father, vntill it be consummated and perfected in the life to come. For if it be God (as the Apostle saith) that giueth both the will and