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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.
it doth put into our minds, that there is mercy with God, and therefore stirreth us up to seek mercy at his hands: afterward, it doth let us see how Christ suffered, to take away the sins of the world, that in the righteousness of Christ, we may look to be justified before God▪ And this it doth not let us see only, but doth effectually work a ⟨p. 149⟩sure persuasion of it in our hearts, and confirmeth the same by two notable effects. The first is, a joy most unspeakable and glorious, wherewith our hearts must needs be wholly taken up and ravished, when we see our selves by the righteousness of Christ of the free mercy and grace of God, redeemed from death, delivered from hell, and freed from the fearful condemnation of the wicked. The second is the peace of conscience: which indeed, passeth all understanding. While sin, and the guilt of sin remained there was no peace, nor rest, no quietness to be found, but fear within, terrors without, and troubles on every side: But when sin is once nailed to the cross of Christ, when the guilt of sin is taken out of our consciences, and the punishment thereof far removed, then must needs ensue great peace: for our accusers dare not proceed against us, our sins are forgiven us, and God is at one with us: and for this, we have the warrant and testimony of the spirit. Can flesh and blood persuade us of it? can any creature assure us how God is affected towards us? no doubtless. And therefore where this joy and peace is, there must needs be the holy ghost, the author and worker of the same: for as no man knoweth what is in man, ⟨p. 150⟩but the spirit of man which is in him: so none knoweth the will of God, but the spirit of God, and therefore it is the spirit of God that must certify our hears and spirits of the same. And hereof there doth arise that, which we take as the fourth note, when we find it in our selves, to wit; The life and nimbleness that is in us to do good: for when a man doth find favour from God, for the forgiveness of sins, then the love of God constraineth him, that joy which he conceiveth enforceth him, and putteth life into him, for the performance of those things, which are pleasing unto God: then he beginneth to find himself not only reclaimed from evil, but also applied and framed to that which is good;
it doth put into our mindes, that there is mercie with God, and therefore stirreth vs vp to seeke mercie at his handes: afterwarde, it doth let vs see how Christ suffered, to take away the sinnes of the worlde, that in the righteousnesse of Christ, wee may looke to be iustified before God And this it doth not let vs see only, but doth effectually worke a