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,…

63 The Scriptures lap up in one sin, all that are accessory to that sin, whether it be¹ by ministering instruments of sinning, or by commanding, or by counselling, or by consenting, or by concealing, or by communicating in the booty gotten, or by commending the sin, or by not hindering it, as we may, or not by dissolving it before a magistrate; or by not admonishing, or by not mourning for the offender; or lastly, by not praying, when we hear of evil, both that the malefactor may repent and we may be preserved from the same sin. When we are free in every of these, we are not truly accessory to the sin.

63 The Scriptures lap vp in one sinne, all that are accessarie to that sinne, whether it be¹ by ministring instruments of sinning, or by commaunding, or by counselling, or by consenting, or by concealing, or by communicating in the bootie gotten, or by commending the sinne, or by not hindering it, as we may, or not by dissoluing it before a magistrate; or by not admonishing, or by not mourning for the offender; or lastly, by not praying, when wee heare of euill, both that the malefactor may repent and wee may be preserued from the same sinne. When wee are free in euery of these, wee are not truely accessarie to the sinne.

1. 1How many sins may lie covered under one.How many sinnes may lie couered vnder one.

64 We must beware of drawing a thick skin on our conscience, and of searing¹ it up, but rather labour to keep it in a feeling of sin, and in a bleeding plight, so as the least strain may press out somewhat. Otherwise we shall soon fall to hardness of heart; and consequently lie open to the judgements of God. And as the wound, which at every small crush shrinketh, and yieldeth forth pure blood, is less dangerous, and more curable: & as the sore, which hardly being pressed feeleth nothing there not at all bleeding, or if it yield, affording but a little black and corrupted blood, is more dangerous, and less curable: Even so the conscience, which at every check is melting, and resolved into godly grief, as feeling the least smart of the least impression of God his correction, is furthest from hardening, and nearest to the hearing: and that mind whatsoever, which at a griping pinch remaineth unsensible, and at a dead blow continueth as one unremovable as a block, is not only furthest from recovering, but also in danger of a final obduration.