A02181:211
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.
8 He said to a godly Christian, much inuaying against our unbelief; I do not now suspect your estate, when you seem to me rather to have faith, than when you seem to your self to have it; for faith being the gift of God, is then most obtained and increased of God, when you thirsting after the increase of present feelings, are humbled under the mighty and merciful hand of God for it, rather I suspect you, when you say you have faith, because then you can least fear and suspect you self, and by that means lie open to unbelief again. And surely experience proveth, that then we show we have belief, when we mourn for our unbelief, and then our faith may be least, when we think it to be most. Besides herein you are to comfort your self, with show of increase of faith; because faith groweth by these two means, either by some great feeling by the word, and the spirit, and humble thanksgiving joined thereunto, or else by humbling our selves before the mercy seat of GOD, for want of our faith.
8 He saide to a godly Christian, much inuaying against our vnbeleefe; I doe not now suspect your estate, when you seeme to mee rather to haue faith, than when you seeme to your selfe to haue it; for faith being the gift of God, is then most obtained and increased of God, when you thirsting after the increase of present feelings, are humbled vnder the mightie and mercifull hande of God for it, rather I suspect you, when you say you haue faith, because then you can least feare and suspect you selfe, and by that meanes lie open to vnbeleefe againe. And surely experience prooueth, that then we shewe we haue beliefe, when we mourne for our vnbeliefe, and then our faith may be least, when we thinke it to be most. Besides herein you are to comfort your selfe, with shewe of increase of faith; because faith groweth by these two means, either by some greate feeling by the worde, and the spirite, and humble thanksgiuing ioyned thereunto, or else by humbling our selues before the mercye seate of GOD, for wante of our faith.
9 When one was troubled in mind he gave this comfortable note: that although it came to pass, that after some travel in new birth, Gods graces were not so sweet, and our sins not so sour and grievous unto