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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
The Second Sermon preached by M Richard Greenham.The Seconde Sermon preached by M Richard Greenham.
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.
Indeed many feel sorrow and are inwardly pricked, but because therewith is not joined the power of Gods word, They be either senseless as blocks, or in their feeling they are murmurers. This cometh unto us by the dignity of GOD his word, in that no wonders from heaven, no miracles on earth can touch our hearts, and work in us any fruit without the same. For though the Lord should show unto us all the wonders from heaven, which he showed on the old world, and on Sodom, although he should lay all the plagues upon us, which he laid on Pharaoh and on the Egyptians, without the word of God, we should be as unprofitable beholders, as ever were the Sodomites, & should become as hardhearted as ever were Pharaoh, & the Egyptians. ⟨p. 176⟩so that no judgement from heaven, no trouble from earth can humble us, no blessing from above, no benefit from beneath can▪ profit us, until the word of GOD cometh, which teacheth the old way to forsake it, the new way to enter into it, and the perfect way to continue in it. And thus much for the general scope of this doctrine. Now more particularly we may observe in this first part three things. First the power of the word to prick our conscience. Secondly that this prick must not cause in us a more rebelling against the word or ministers thereof: but rather a greater reverence to them both. Thirdly such pricks must prepare us to a greater desire to profit. For the first we must know, that this is the beginning of repentance, and this is the ente•ie to godliness, even to conceive a sorrow for our sins, and so be wounded with a feeling of our evils. For as long as men are secure, it is not possible, that they should seriously apply their mind unto doctrine, neither without the knowledge, and feeling of our sins can we heartily long for Christ. To this agree the law, the Prophets, and the Apostles. The law, because in all their sacrifices, wherein Christ was prefigured, was manifested also under dark signs, the contrition of hart, and ⟨p. 177⟩acknowledging their unworthiness. The Prophets as David and Isaiah. David in the fourth psalm and fi•t verse •ayeth, Tremble and sin not, where the Prophet showeth,1