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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.
Unless therefore Satan dare contradict the spirit of GOD, speaking by the mouths of so many witnesses, he cannot say but you are the Lords. Now for your self, I am assured that you will not, nor dare not say, but this hath been the constant testimony of all the servants of God sent unto you; and that they were such as you had no cause to suspect their partiality or flattery in any sort. Howe is it then, that the voice of so many should not be unto you as the voice of GOD himself? Who, though he do not speak unto us now immediately from heaven, as in some times past; yet he speaketh unto us by the mouths of his servants, his Prophets. ⟨p. 130⟩When David said in the horror of his soul, I have sinned against the Lord, was it think you a small comfort that Nathan said immediately unto him,1 the Lord ha•h pardoned thy sin? I will say nothing of the prayers of so many of the servants of Christ as have commended your cause unto the Lord: which cannot be frustrate, the Lord himself directing them to pray according to his word, and upon the assurance of his promise. Read Job. 33.23.2 If there be present with him (that is with the afflicted soul, as verse 22.) a messenger from God an interpreter (of the will of God,) such as is one of a thousand, who may signify unto man the equity of the Lord, and entreating him for favour shall say: Redeem thou him that he go not down into the pit, by that redemption which I have found; when he hath humbly besought the Lord, he doth graciously receive him that he may behold his face with joy, and he restoreth unto man his righteousness. In which words there are many excellent things to be noted for the comfort of those that are afflicted. The first is, that the anguished soul finding no comfort at home and in her self, by reason of the strength of temptation, must seek relief abroad at the hands of those, whom ⟨p. 131⟩God hath appointed to make glad the sorrowful mind, and to give rest unto the wearied and distressed conscience. Wherein you must consider with all thankfulness, how great mercy the Lord hath showed unto you, for I do persuade my self;