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Paramythion two treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, writtenParamythion tvvo treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, written
Paramythion two treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, written by M. Richard Greenham, with certain epistles of the same argument. Hereunto are added two sermons, with certain grave and wise counsels and answers of the same author and argument.Paramythion tvvo treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, written by M. Richard Greenham, with certaine epistles of the same argument. Heereunto are added two sermons, with certaine graue and wise counsells and answeres of the same author and argument.
London: printed by Richard Bradocke for Robert Dexter, 1598
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.
MY very good and loving friend in the Lord Jesus, I understand by M. H. who oft travelleth into those parts, that you require of me letters of comfort for relief of your afflicted and distressed conscience. Wherein I could be glad to perform any duty that is within the compass of my poor ability. But your best and soundest comfort (as I take it) lieth in those, that have them selves been exercised with that trial: who from the comforts of Christ that have abounded in them, are best able to comfort those that are in like sort afflicted by the hand of God.1 Again, I have written unto you many times of this argument: If my letters remain with you, they may always speak for me that which I am able to say to that point. If you require more then I have written before this▪ then were it reason you should send me my former letters, that I might know ⟨p. 107⟩where to begin that which remaineth. My leisure is not great as you know, and there is nothing whereinto I enter more unwillingly, then into this labour of writing: Yet that you may understand that I have not altogether forgotten your old love towards me, nor have suffered mine affection towards you utterly to decay: I will endeavour at once as briefly as I may to remember unto you, so far as I can call to mind, the sum of all that I have written unto you heretofore. The question (as I take it) that that lieth in controversy between your con science and the enemy, is of the assurance of your salvation. Wherein I would have you first to consider what is, or at any time past hath been the testimony of the Spirit of God unto your spirit,2 and then I doubt not, but either from present sense of the same spirit of God crying in your heart Abba Father, or from the remembrance of the days of old, wherein you had a comfortable assurance of Gods favour, you shall be able to repel the force of this temptation, considering that the holy Ghost cannotly, that God, whom he loveth, unto the end he loveth, & because his gifts & calling (as the Apostle saith) are such as whereof he doth not, nor cannot repent him. Then consider the nature of faith;3 which how weak & unperfect soever it be, it cannot be denied even by Satan