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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.
A Sermon preached by M. Richard Greenham, upon these words.
A Sermon preached by M. Richard Greenham, vpon these wordes.
Quench not the spirit. 1. Thessa. 5.19.
All the doctrine of the Scriptures may be briefly referred to these two heads. First how we may be prepared to receive the spirit of God. Secondly, how the spirit may be retained when we have once received it. And therefore Saint Paul having laboured to instruct the Thessalonians, in the former part of this Epistle, how they may receive the spirit, doth here teach them how to keep and continue this spirit unto the end: and this the Apostle doth by giving them a charge and commandment, that in no wise they do quench the spirit: thereby doubtless teaching, that as the shun ning of evil, is the first steppe unto goodness; so the ready way to continue the spirit of God in our hearts, is to labour that it be not quenched. Now the Apostle upon great and weighty consideration, ⟨p. 142⟩doth here deliver this precept. For first of all, though all those be worthily and justly condemned, that never tasted of the spirit of God: yet as our saviour Christ saith; A more just and fearful condemnation is like to come upon them, that having once received it, doth afterwards loose the same again. Moreover, without this spirit of God, no holy exercise can have his full effect: For the word worketh not, where the spirit of GOD is wanting; prayers have no power to pierce into the presence of God; the sacraments seem small and silly things in our eyes, and all other orders, and exercises which God hath granted and ordained for man, they are unprofitable to man, where the spirit is not present to convey them into our hearts, there to seal up the fruit of of them. Last of all, we are fit to receive no good grace at Gods hands: nay, we do not esteem Gods graces, when we have not the spirit to teach us to set a due price upon them: for speak of the Law, or of the Gospel; of sin, or of righteousness: speak of Christ, or of our redemption, & justification by him: yea, speak of that huge, and heavy weight of glory where with the elect of God shall be crowned; all this moveth not, we are little affected therewith, unless God give us of his good