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,…

But let us show what way is to be used to keep us from this wound of the spirit. It is the use of Physic, as to cure us of diseases when we are fallen into them; so to preserve us from sickness before it hath taken hold of us: it is the power of the word, as to assuage ⟨p. 100⟩the trouble of conscience, when it doth once press us; so to prevent it before it hath overtaken us. It is a chief point of worldly wisdom not to tarry for the use of Physic until we be deadly sick; but to be acquainted with Gods merciful preservations to defend us from it: likewise it is a chief policy of a godly Christian, not only to seek comfort when the agony is upon him, but also to use all good helps to meet with it before it comes.¹ And we condemn them of folly, who will not as well labour to keep themselves out of debt, as to pay the debt when they owe it: so it is a madness not to be as circumspect to avoid all occasions, which may bring trouble of mind upon us, as we would be provident to enter every good way which may draw us out of this trouble, when we have once entered into it.

But let vs shew what way is to be vsed to keepe vs from this wound of the spirit. It is the vse of Physicke, as to cure vs of diseases when we are fallen into them; so to preserue vs from sicknesse before it hath taken hold of vs: it is the power of the word, as to asswage ⟨p. 100⟩the trouble of conscience, when it doth once presse vs; so to preuent it before it hath ouertaken vs. It is a chiefe point of worldly wisedome not to tarie for the vse of Physicke vntill we be deadly sicke; but to be acquainted with Gods mercifull preseruations to defend vs from it: likewise it is a chiefe policie of a godly Christian, not onely to seeke comfort when the agonie is vpō him, but also to vse all good helps to meet with it before it comes.¹ And we condemne them of follie, who will not as well labour to keepe themselues out of debt, as to pay the debt when they owe it: so it is a madnesse not to be as circumspect to auoid all occasions, which may bring trouble of minde vpon vs, as we would be prouident to enter euery good way which may draw vs out of this trouble, when we haue once entred into it.