A02181:215
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.
12 Though we find not the spiritual joy which we should feel, yet let us not be to much cast down; so that our conscience tell us, that we are ready to withdraw somewhat from our outward pleasures, for want of this inward pleasure; and that we have not prevented, or smothered out these spiritual joys, but are grieved that we have them not, & wait for the time to feel them. For of all things, we must beware, that we draw not into their stead carnal joys, & so drive a• it were in to exile the working of gods spirit in us by them.
12 Though we finde not the spirituall ioy which we should feele, yet let vs not bee to much cast downe; so that our conscience tell vs, that we are readie to withdrawe somewhat from our outward pleasures, for want of this inward pleasure; and that we haue not preuented, or smothered out these spirituall ioyes, but are grieued that we haue them not, & waite for the time to feele them. For of all things, we must bewar, that we draw not into their stead carnall ioys, & so driue a• it were in to exile the working of gods spir•t in vs by thē.
13 Many despair of help, because of their own unworthiness▪ as though there were no hope of Gods mercy, unless we bring in our gift & pawn in our hands to him. But this were to discredit the Lords mercy, and to bring in credit our merits; and rather ⟨p. 204⟩to bind the Lord to us, than us unto him: but if our sins be great, our redemption is greater; though our merits be beggarly. Gods mercy is a rich mercy: If our case be not desperate, and we past hope of recovery, our redemption should not be so plentiful, But when all seems to go one way; when Heaven and Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars go against us; then to ransom us, and to make a perfect restitution, is to draw something out of nothing. Even as in sickness, to have either little danger, or in great danger; deliverance by present means, is nothing; but in extreme peril, when Physic can do nothing, and nothing maketh for us but the Grave, then to be rescued from the grave, and to recover our life from the pit, is Redemption.