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,…

23 Seeing profaneness is not so much in grosser sins, as in the unreverent and irreligious handling of most holy exercises, we must more warily watch over our selves, but especially that we bear sanctified minds in our using of outward things, which in themselves¹ have no great holiness, because we may easily be corrupted even in prayer, in hearing of the word, in keeping of our Sabbath, which in themselves do carry a kind of holiness, which being not rightly used are said to be profaned. This sin is so perilous and infatuateth us so far, that it bringeth us to make away not only our maintenance on earth, but also our inheritance in heaven for most vile and contemptible things, as Es•• did, who though he did to supply his need use unlawful means, yet if he be set head by head with a great many not having any such need, he for his need in respect of them might be less condemnable, but they in respect of him most justly reprovable. Now if there be² any Esau, who will not stick to sell heaven, his soul, and the kingdom of God, under ⟨p. 55⟩pretence of necessity, let us beware we follow not Jacob in taking this advantage (for this was a particular thing permitted of God, and Jacob will do so no more) but let us exhort him to wait upon God his providence, to take a better course for the safety of his conscience, and contribute to his necessity, that Esau may not have by our uncharitable dealing a cloak for his profaneness, but that, if he will needs be profane, he may be profane and guilty in and of himself alone.

23 Seeing prophanenes is not so much in grosser sinnes, as in the vnreuerent and irreligious handling of most holy exercises, we must more warily watch ouer our selues, but especially that we beare sanctified mindes in our vsing of outward things, which in themselues¹ haue no great holinesse, because we may easily be corrupted euen in prayer, in hearing of the word, in keeping of our Sabbath, which in themselues do carrie a kind of holinesse, which being not rightly vsed are said to be prophaned. This sinne is so perilous and infatuateth vs so farre, that it bringeth vs to make away not onely our maintenance on earth, but also our inheritance in heauen for most vile and contemptible things, as Es did, who though he did to supplie his neede vse vnlawfull meanes, yet if he be set head by head with a great many not hauing any such neede, he for his need in respect of thē might be lesse condemnable, but they in respect of him most iustly reproueable. Now if there be