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 this consideration of an afflicted spirit in these examples do not sufficiently show, what a grievous thing it is to sustain a wounded conscience: let us proceed to the comparing of this with other evils which fall into the nature of man. There is no sickness, but Physic provideth for it a remedy; there is no sore, but Chirurgery will afford it a salve; friendship helpeth poverty; there is no imprisonment, but there is hope of liberty; Suite and favour recover a man from banishment: authority and time wear away reproach. But what Physic cureth? what Chirurgery salveth? what riches ransometh what countenance beareth out? what authority assuageth? what favour relieveth a troubled conscience? all these banded together in league (though they would conspire a confederacy)¹ cannot help this one distress of a troubled mind: and yet this one comfort of a quiet mind doth wonderfully cure, and comfortably assuage all other griefs whatsoever. For if our assistance were as an host of armed soldiers; if our friends were the Princes and the Governors of the earth; •f our possessions were as large as between the East and the West; if our meat were as Manna from heaven; if our apparel were as costly as the Ephod of Aaron; if every day were as glorious as the day of Christs resurrection: yet if our minds be appalled with the judgements of God, these things would little comfort us. Let experience speak: If a troubled mind impaireth not health, drieth not up the blood, wasteth not the marrow, pineth not away the flesh, consumeth not the bones, if it maketh not all pleasures painful, and shorteneth not this life: sure no wisdom can counsel it, no counsel can advise it, no advice can assuage it, no assuagement can cure it, no eloquence can persuade it, no power can overcome it, no sceptre will affray it, no enchanter can harm it. And yet on the contrary, if a man languish in sickness, so his heart be whole, and is persuaded of the health of his soul, his sickness doth not grieve him: If a man be reproached, so he be precious in the sight of God and his Angels, what loss hath he? If a man be banished, and yet doubteth not that heaven is his country, and that² he is a citizen among the Saints, it doth not appal him: If a man be in trouble, and findeth peace of conscience, he will quietly digest his trouble.

If this consideration of an afflicted spirit in these examples doe not sufficiently shew, what a grieuous thing it is to sustaine a wounded conscience: let vs proceed to the comparing of this with other euils which fall into the nature of man. There is no sicknesse, but Physicke prouideth for it a remedie; there is no sore, but Chirurgerie will affoord it a salue; friendship helpeth pouertie; there is no imprisonment, but there is hope of libertie; Suite and fauour recouer a man from banishment: authoritie and time weare away reproch. But what Physicke cureth? what Chirurgerie salueth? what riches ransometh what countenance beareth out? what authoritie asswageth? what fauour relieueth a troubled conscience? all these banded together in league (though they would conspire a confederacie)