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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.
To the Reader.
OUR life, saith the Apostle, is a warfare, & every day we are more or less to encounter with our adversary. And therefore is the Church of God upon earth called Militant, because the members thereof are prest soldiers, stā ding continually upon their guard, knowing, that their enemy is an old wily Serpent, and a fierce ravenous Lion, continually seeking whom he may devour. But amongst many snares he hath laid to entrap the soul of man, either presuming too much of himself, or derogating too much from the graces of the spirit in him, this is not the meanest, that he laboureth, to divide the kingdom against it self, and to use men as his instruments for their own destruction. For well he knows, that where cumming in his own likeness, he should seem odious and be valiantly resisted; there, masked under a veil of humility, he may more secretly encroach upon the fearful spirit; & if the Lord doth not put the bit into his mouth, to curb him with, he may at length display his banners in the heart. But we have a valiant leader, let us stick unto him, even Jesus Christ the righteous, who is a Serpent also lift up in the wilderness to cure all whose hearts are scorched with the venomous heat of the fiery serpent; who is a Lion of the Tribe of Judah, • mighty prince, and the king of peace, who shall subdue all things under him that he may be all in all. I might here enter into a large discourse, but in this argument ⟨image 4⟩this present book is so copious, as I doubt (gentle Reader) whether thou shalt find any want; much less of that which I am able to afford thee. Only it had been to be wished the Author of these Treatises, had himself survived to the publishing of them, that the same might have come more full & perfect into thy hands. But since it hath pleased the Lord, for cause best known unto himself, to bereave his Church in this land, of so excellent a pillar, there remaineth nothing for us, but to submit ourselves unto his providence, & to take up that complaint of Elisha for Elijah, when he was taken from him into heaven. My Father, my Father, the Chariot of Israel & the horsemen thereof.