A02182:72
Propositions
Propositions containing answers to certain demands in divers spiritual matters specially concerning the conscience oppressed with the grief of sin. With an epistle against hardness of heat, made by that worthy preacher of the Gospel of Christ, M. R. Greenham pastor of DraytonPropositions containing answers to certaine demaunds in divers spirituall matters specially concerning the conscience oppressed with the griefe of sinne. With an epistle against hardnes of heat, made by that woorthie preacher of the Gospell of Christ, M. R. Greenham pastor of Drayton
Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegrave printer to the Kings Majesty, 1597Edinburgh: printed by Robert Waldegraue printer to the Kings Majestie, 1597
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.
61 He was wont rather to win men, with a loving admonition, than to gore them with a sharp reprehension; that he might easily work upon them afterward.
61 Hee was woont rather to winne men, with a loving admonition, than to goare them with a sharpe reprehension; that hee might easilie worke vpon them afterward.
62 When one was troubled in mind he gave this comfortable note: that although it came to pass, that after some travel in new birth, Gods graces were not so sweet, and our sins not so sour ⟨image 18⟩& grievous unto us, as they were to our first entrance into regeneration: but we are now weaker in less assaults, having afore been stronger in greater temptations: we were not to despair, but to consider, from whence this gracious progress did come; namely, of God, and not of our selves; who showed himself more favourable in the beginning, both because he would not discourage us, newly coming unto him, and for that we forsaking our selves, with a godly suspecting of our weakness in the least temptations, did fly unto Gods help by prayer; who in wisdom can hide himself under a cloud: partly, for that he will look to see some trial of strength at our hands, coming to some age in new birth; partly, for that we now less forsake or suspect our selves, no not in greater temptations; and for presumptuously wrestling with our own strength, and staying our selves with our own staff, we do not call to God for help, and not calling, do not obtain, and not obtaining help, we take the foil in the conflict, that the ⟨image 19⟩Lord may make known unto us, that notwithstanding our proceeding in Christianity, we are still but men, and God alone is God.
62 When one was troubled in minde hee gaue this comfortable note: that although it came to passe, that after some travell in newe birth, Gods graces were not so sweet, and our sinnes not so sowre