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…

But farther to enforce our Exhortation, to avoid too scrupulous fear, which hindereth the true examination of our hearts: let us think that it happeneth in the spiritual conflict as in civill war. We read that many Cities being in great security, have suddenly both been assaulted & overthrown; as also, how some Countries (too much negligent in the means) thorough an excessive fearfulness, have encouraged their Enemies with more greedy violence to pray upon them.

But farther to inforce our Exhortation, to auoyde too scrupulous feare, which hindereth the true examination of our heartes: let vs thinke that it happeneth in the spirituall conflict as in ciuill war. Wee read that manie Citties being in great securitie, haue sodainly both been assaulted & ouerthrowen; as also, how some Countries (too much negligent in the meanes) thorough an excessiue fearefulnes, haue incouraged theyr Enemies with more greedie violence to pray vpon them.

With such kind of stratagems our adversary the devil being well acquainted, doth often practise this policy. If he see us without all fear too quietly to rest in our selves, he thinketh his assault must needs be the stronger, because our assistance is the weaker. Again, if he descrieth in us a cowardly fear and fainting of heart, before we once begin to join battle with him; he will set upon our immoderate fear, and as villainously as suddenly stab us to the heart, & make a present spoil of us.

With such kinde of stratagems our aduersarie the diuell beeing well acquainted, doth often practise this pollicie. If hee see vs without all fear too quietly to rest in our selues, he thinketh his assault must needes be the stronger, because our assistaunce is the weaker. Againe, if he descrieth in vs a cowardly fear and fainting of heart, before wee once begin to ioyne battaile with him; hee will set vppon our immoderate feare, and as villainously as sodenly stab vs to the heart, & make a present spoyle of vs.