A02181:204
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.
so there is ⟨p. 195⟩also a vicissitude of temptations, whereof this is one, against which you must strive.
so there is ⟨p. 195⟩also a vicissitude of temptations, wherof this is one, agianst which you must striue.
2 Unto one that was tempted with worldly shame,1 and thought the distemperature of his mind and body proceeded thereof, he said on this sort. Fist know, that Satan hath not an absolute power, but a power by permission to try us, against which, we must arm our selves by faith, which will assure us, that either the Lord will mitigate our temptation if our power and patience be not great, or else, if he enlarge the trial, he will increase our strength and retch it out, according to the proportion of our temptation. We must also pray, that the Lord give not out that measure of leave to the devil, which we give out to sin, to work rebellion in us against his majesty; but that he would rather make Satan a Surgeon to show us our sins, then a Sergeant to confound us for our sins. It is the policy of the adversary, to persuade many, that the weakness of their body, and feebleness of their brain proceedeth of their temptations, when indeed it cometh of the unstaidness of their minds, wandering too much after the motions of the devil; in that they not resting on the word, nor depending on Christ, nor contenting themselves to be tried, nor comforting themselves by meditation, attend to much, & confer to often with the devils ⟨p. 196⟩illusions and temptations, and so they complain of the effects, and not of the causes of their temptations; being more grieved for their present sufferings, then for their sins past. The root of this worldly shame, is pride and haughtiness of mind, which is a privy evil, and hardly will be beaten into the head of them that are infected therewith. But sure it is, that we would never be so grieved for the loss of a thing, if we did not too much desire it, and too immoderately use it, whilst we had it.