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

IN all afflictions Gods children must look unto the end: They are to desire to profit by them, and in them to seek the way of perfect con fort and consolation: which that they may find, they must know that the afflictions of the godly last but a while; they serve them but for salves and medicines; the end of them is always happy. In them they are not only preserved, and purified from many sins: but also much beautified with the Image of Jesus Christ, who is the eldest Son in the house of God. Again the cross of true Christians is the sweet and amiable call of God unto repentance, in that he putteth us in mind thereby to bethink us of our debts: because we are given to think the day of payment is yet far of; yea we fall a sleep until our turn be ended, and whilst God lengtheneth our days waiting for our repentance, we never think of our sins until the hour come wherein we perish with shame. The best meeting then with the Lords visitation, is without delay and in sincerity to pray for our sins to be pardoned. For therefore doth the Lord oftentimes ⟨p. 64⟩shackle us the more with the chains of his chastisements, because we are more careful to be unburdened of our sickness, then to be freed from our sin: which we the rather are loath to confess, because we would not be espied, to be in the wrath of God. Others there be that nearing of their sins in the time of their afflictions, will acknowledge indeed their infirmities to be the mother of such a brood: yet they have no true remorse to restrain themselves from sin, because they have but a confused conceit thereof, and though their ship be never so much tossed and turmoiled, yet think they not that God holdeth the stern. These men if God bear with them, do as it were settle in their lees, and are as it were soaked in their sins. For prosperity is a drunkenness, to cast our selves into a dead sleep, and when the Lord setteth us alone, we cease not to sooth up our selves, bearing our selves in hand, that we are in Gods favour, and that he loveth us, because he scourgeth us not. And thus reckless we are whilst we measure Gods love according to our sense and humour. Wherein we be wray our ignorance of the exercise of the cross, in that affliction is the mother of humility, humility breedeth repentance, & repentance obtaineth mercy.

IN all afflictions Gods children must looke vnto the ende: They are to desire to profite by them, and in them to seeke the way of perfect cō fort and consolation: which that they may finde, they must know that the afflictions of the godly last but a while; they serue them but for salues and medicines; the ende of them is alwaies happy. In them they are not onely preserued, and purified from many sinnes: but also much beautified with the Image of Iesus Christ, who is the eldest Sonne in the house of God. Againe the crosse of true Christians is the sweete and amiable call of God vnto repentance, in that he putteth vs in minde thereby to bethinke vs of our debts: because we are giuen to thinke the daie of payment is yet farre of; yea we fall a sleepe vntill our turne be ended, and whilest God lengtheneth our daies waiting for our repentance, we neuer thinke of our sinnes vntill the houre come wherein we perish with shame. The best meeting then with the Lordes visitation, is without delay and in syncerity to pray for our sinnes to be pardoned. For therefore doth the Lord oftentimes