A02181:58
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.
Beware O man, be circumspect O woman that thou prostitute not thy self to too much liberty: for although in coming to such lascivious and contentious places thou diddest purpose none evil; yet for thy venturing without warrant, thou mayest be over thy shoes in sin, and plunged in some wicked attempt over head and ears, ere thou beest aware. And because vice is so confine unto virtue, beware also of superstition: for still the enemy laboureth either to make thee too hardy in sin, or else he will cause thee to be too fearful and superstitious; either he will puff thee up with presumption, or assault thee with desperation. To these tentations our nature is very pliable: first to presumption, as may appear by our common speech; tush, the Preacher is but a man as I am, I am sure he hath infirmities as others have; we are no Angels, our nature is corrupt, we are but flesh, I am sure you would not have us Gods. Thus the Devil cometh to tempt; but he apparelleth himself in another suit when he cometh to accuse: and then of a •lie he makes an Elephant, of the very smallest prick of ⟨p. 34⟩a pin, a globe of the whole earth: of a mole hill a mountain•: and presseth silly souls with fears and terrors, that they know not how to wind out themselves. If he cannot bring them to make no conscience where they should make conscience, he will labour to bring them to make conscience where they need make no conscience. He careth not whether thou wilt be remiss or superstitious, so thou be one of them. If he cannot get you to follow the Epicurism of the world, as Libertines in diet and apparel; he will make you so precise as to think it a heinous sin, to eat one bit of meat, or to wear one rag of cloth more than for necessity. How needful therefore it is to sail which an even course, we may conjecture by other things which will bewray the corruption of our nature.
Beware O man, bee circum•pect O woman that thou prostitute not thy selfe to too much libertie: for although in comming to such lasciuious and contentious places thou diddest purpose none euill; yet for thy ventring without warrant, thou maist bee ouer thy shoes in sinne, and plunged in some wicked attempt ouer head and eares, ere thou beest aware. And because vice is so confine vnto vertue, beware also of superstition: for still the enemie laboureth either to make thee too hardy in sinne, or else he will cause thee to be too fearefull and superstititious; eyther hee will puffe thee vp with presumption, or assault thee with desperation. To these tentations our nature is very pliable: first to presumption, as may appeare by our common speech; tush, the Preacher is but a man as I am, I am sure he hath infirmities as others haue; wee are no Angels, our nature is corrupt, we are but flesh, I am sure you would not haue vs Gods. Thus the Diuell commeth to tempt; but he apparrelleth himselfe in another sute when hee commeth to accuse: and then of a lie he makes an Elephant, of the verie smallest pricke of