A02180:37
A most sweet and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in conscience…A most sweete and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in consciscience…
A most sweet and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in conscience [sic], or troubled in mind. Written by that godly & zealous preacher, M. Richard Greenham. With two comfortable letters to his especial friends that way grieved.A most sweete and assured comfort for all those that are afflicted in consciscience [sic], or troubled in minde. Written by that godly & zealous preacher, M. Richard Greenham. With two comfortable letters to his especiall friends that way greeued.
London: printed by John Danter for William Jones, 1595London: printed by Iohn Danter for William Iones, 1595
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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 ⟨image 24⟩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 preservation 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. And if 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 ⟨image 25⟩it: so it is a madness not to be circumspect to avoid all occasions, which may bring trouble of mind upon them; 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 Phisicke, as to cure vs of diseases when wee are faln into them; so to preserue vs from sicknes before it hath takē hold of vs: it is the power of the Word, as to asswage ⟨image 24⟩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 phisicke vntil we be deadly sick; but to bee acquainted wyth Gods mercifull preseruation to defend vs from it; likewise it is a chiefe pollicie of a godly Christian, not only to seek comfort when the agonie is vpon him; but also to vse all good helpes to meet with it before it comes. And if we condemn them of folly, who will not as well labor to keep themselues out of debt; as to pay the debt when they owe ⟨image 25⟩it: so it is a madnes not to bee circumspect to auoyd all occasions, which maye bring trouble of mind vpon them; as wee would bee prouident to enter euerie good waye which maye drawe vs out of this trouble, when wee haue once entred into it.