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

For fear which subdueth the security of the flesh, is in all most requisite, in that the weaker we are in our selves, the stronger we are in God. But that fear is dangerous, which hindereth the certainty of faith, in that it encourageth our enemy more fiercely to set upon us; when we (coming into the camp) will cast away our armour especially which should defend us. Comfort thy self, the Lord will not quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed, he looketh not on the quantity but on the quality of our faith. For as a good mother doth not reject her child because through some infirmity it is weak, feeble and not able to go alone, but rather doth pity and support it least peradventure it should fall, & recompenseth that with more motherly affection, which in her child is wanting by occasion: in like manner the Lord God our most gracious father doth not cast us off, because through our imperfections we are unable or afraid to draw nearer to the throne of grace; but rather pitieth us, and seeing us a far of desirous to come unto him, meeteth us by the way, & by grace & strength of his own hand, directeth our steps unto his kingdom. And as he which freely purposeth to give a wedge of gold, will not withdraw his gift because the hand of him that should receive it, is weak, troubled with the gout, palsy, ⟨p. 73⟩or leprosy, so that by any means, though in great weakness, he be able to hold it: even so the Lord purposing in free mercy to bestow on us an immortal weight of glory, will not deprive us of it, though many filthy blemishes have polluted and weakened or faith, so that in any small measure we be able to take hold of his promises▪ neither are we •o look on our faith which the Gospel hath called us unto, because we never believe as we ought; but rather on that which the Gospel offereth & giveth, that is on Gods mercy and peace in Christ: in whose lap if we can lay our heads with Saint John, then we are in felicity, security, and perfect quietness. Contrariwise there be some, who (notwithstanding that a tormented conscience is a stinging Serpent, that it were much better that all the creatures rose up against us, every one bringing their bane; then once to come before the dreadful face of God) are so blockish that they are wholly resolved into hardness. If they be pricked with sickness, they cry alas;

For feare which subdueth the securitie of the flesh, is in all most requisite, in that the weaker we are in our selues, the stronger we are in God. But that feare is dangerous, which hindereth the certainty of faith, in that it incourageth our enemy more fearcely to set vpō vs; when we (comming into the campe) will cast away our armour especially which should defend vs. Comfort thy selfe, the Lord will not quench the smoking flaxe, nor breake the brused reede, he looketh not on the quantitie but on the qualitie of our faith. For as a good mother doth not reiect hir childe because through some infirmitie it is weake, feeble and not able to go alone, but rather doth pitie and supporte it least peraduenture it should fal, & recompenseth that with more motherly affection, which in her child is wanting by occasion: in like manner the Lorde God our most gracious father doth not cast vs off, because through our imperfections we are vnable or afraide to drawe neerer to the throne of grace; but rather pitieth vs, and seing vs a farre of desirous to come vnto him, meeteth vs by the way, & by grace & strength of his owne hand, directeth our steps vnto his kingdom. And as he which freely purposeth to giue a wedge of gold, will not withdrawe his gift because the hand of him that should receiue it, is weak, troubled with the gout, palsy,