Paramythion two treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, writtenParamythion tvvo treatises of the comforting of an afflicted conscience, written

But here is a thing to be blushed at, which maketh mens ears to tingle when they hear it; that many men (far no doubt from this true repentance) can largely indeed discourse of the things done in their youth; but in such a bravery, with such boastings, and pleasing of themselves in the remembrance of them; as besides that they provoke others to sin in the like, and set themselves a flat Back-bias against Repentance and this Christian examination; they seem to renew the decayed colours of their old sins, with the fresh suite of their second pleasures therein. But alas what pleasure have they in those things, whereof they have no profit? what profit have they those things whereof they should be ashamed? Nether in this strain can we forget the madness of them, who may seem to steppe one degree farther towards this examination of sin than did the former; by thinking that the leaving of sin, and repenting of sin is all one. Against these both daily experience and the word of God doth sufficiently declaim. Josephs brethren (Jacob his sons) who devised evil against their brother, put him into the pit, and sold him unto strangers; did cease from this cruelty: but yet they are not read to have remembered their sins ⟨p. 22⟩with any remorse, until thirteen years after the sin was committed; as we may see in the process of the History. David had left his sins of murder and adultery (as thinking all quiet and well) the space of a whole year; after which time (being admonished by the Prophet Nathan) he repented of it. And experience hath tried in many that have had some working of God in them, that though they left their sins many years ago, yet because they repented not truly for them, they have rebounded up on them with terrible sights & fearful visions, to humble them, and to bring them to serious examination of them, being done and left long since. Examples whereof we need not fetch from far, seeing so many preachers as are acquainted with fearful spirits will give witness hereof. The fruit of which amazed minds for sins already left, is ours, to beware of sins which are to come: And that other mens harms may teach us blessed wisdom, let us labour not only to leave sin, which one may do for profit, for fear, for praise, or for wearisomeness; but also to repent of it for conscience sake.

But here is a thing to be blushed at, which maketh mens eares to tingle when they heare it; that many men (farre noe doubt from this true repentance) can largely indeed discourse of the things done in their youth; but in such a brauerie, with such boastings, and pleasing of themselues in the remembrance of them; as besides that they prouoke others to sinne in the like, and set themselues a flatte Backe-byas against Repentance and this Christian examination; they seeme to renewe the decayed colours of their olde sinnes, with the fresh suite of their second pleasures therein. But alas what pleasure haue they in those things, whereof they haue noe profit? what profit haue they those thinges whereof they shoulde bee ashamed? Nether in this streine can wee forget the madnes of them, who may seeme to steppe one degree farther towardes this examination of sinne than did the former; by thinking that the leauing of sinne, and repenting of sinne is all one. Against these both daily experience and the word of God doth sufficiently declame. Ioseps brethren (Iacob his sonnes) who deuised euill against their brother, put him into the pit, and solde him vnto strangers; did cease from this crueltie: but yet they are not read to haue remembered their sins