A02181:28
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
A MOST SWEET Comfort for an afflicted Conscience.A MOST SVVEET Comfort for an afflicted Conscience.
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.
Was this for his humane death, as some have imagined? No no, wicked men have died without complaint, whose patience then might seem to exceed his; it was his suffering in his humane Spirit, which encountered with the wrath of God, his Godhead suppressing it self for a while: he suffered indeed many torments in body, but much more heavily did the wrath of God lie upon his soul.
Was this for his humane death, as some haue imagined? No no, wicked men haue died withthout complaint, whose patience then might seeme to exceede his; it was his suffering in his humane Spirite, which incountred with the wrath of God, his Godhead suppressing it selfe for a while: he suffered indeede many tormentes in bodie, but much more heuily did the wrath of God lie vpon his soule.
If this consideration of an afflicted spirit in these examples do not sufficiently show what a grievous thing it is to sustain a wounded conscience: Let us proceed to the comparing of this with other evils, which fall into the nature of man. There is no sickness but Physic provideth for it a remedy, there is no fore but Chirurgery will afford it a salve; ⟨p. 9⟩Friendship helpeth poverty; There is no imprisonment, but there is hope of liberty; Suite and favour recover a man from banishment; Authority and time wear away reproach: But what Physic cureth? what Chirurgery salveth? what riches ransometh? what countenance beareth out? what authority assuageth? what favour relieveth a troubled Conscience? All these banded together in league, (though they would conspire a confederacy) cannot help this one distress of a troubled mind; And yet this one comfort of a quiet mind doth wonderfully cure, and comfortably assuage all other griefs whatsoever. For if our assistance were as an host of armed soldiers; If our friends where the Princes and the Governors of the earth; If our possessions were as large as between the East and the west; If our meat were as Manna from heaven; If our apparel were as costly as the Ephod of Aaron; If every day were as glorious as the day of Christs resurrection; yet if our minds be appalled with the judgements of God, these things would little comfort us. Let experience speak; If a troubled mind impaireth not health, drieth not up the blood, wasteth not the marrow, pineth not away the flesh, consumeth not the bones, if it maketh not all pleasures painful, and shorteneth not the life; surely no wisdom can counsel