Short rules sent by Master Richard Greenham to a gentlewoman troubled in mind for…Short rules sent by Maister Richard Greenham to a gentlewoman troubled in minde for…

Short Rules sent by Master Richard Greenham to a Gentlewoman troubled in mind, for her direction and consolation, also very necessary for every Christian to be exercised withal: With directions for a Christian life.

Short Rules sent by Maister Richard Greenham to a Gentlevvoman troubled in minde, for her direction and consolation, also very necessary for euery Christian to be exercised withall: VVith directions for a Christian life.

1 Those Temptations shall be laid to your charge, whereunto you have yielded, &c. yield not therefore, but resist, as S. James biddeth. 2 No motion shall hurt you, whereunto you give not consent in hart: You have no sin, which in heart you long to be freed from; you want no goodness which in heart you covet to have, Rom. 7. 3 Where sickness is at the highest, there is hope of diminishing: so likewise in temptation. 4 It is a great mercy of God to discern a temptation in time of temptation. 5 When you would do any good, or receive any good, offer up your endeavours, actions, and means, in a Sacrifice to God in Christ, beseeching God to give his holy Spirit to sanctify his own Sacrifice. 6 If you have received but a little release of temptation, give thanks, and you shall have more. 7 It is a sin as well to deny Gods gifts as to presume of them. 8 Temptation smothered, as fire, burns more inwardly. 9 Be persuaded always you are in the presence of God and his Christ, and frame your actions accordingly. 10 Be more afraid of secret sins, then of open shame, lay this foundation sure, that there is mercy with Christ Jesus. 11 Remember the former mercies you have received, and think your present estate to be none other then the estate of Gods Children: if you be grieved, pray to God, if relieved, praise him: there is a vicissitude of grief and comfort, as of light and darkness. 12 Beware of a discontented mind in any case: yea, be contented to have your desires denied you of God: and if your prayer be not heard of God, vex not your self too much, neither vehemently covet, nor be grieved for any thing, saving the having or loss of the favour of God. 13 Labour for meekness and patience, and be ready to kiss the rod, and to offer up all to him of whom you have received your self: for if you struggle, it will fare with you as with a Byrd in a Grin, the more she striveth, the faster she is. We must use the word in troubles and temptations, as a sick man doth his Meat, which though he eat against his stomach, & presently feeleth no benefit of it, yet we know by experience it doth him good, and himself afterwards shall perceive it.