The Sixth PLEA.
pp. 172–1735 passages
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.
The Sixth PLEA.
Oh! but it is very great, mine affliction it is exceeding great, saith one, and however you say, we must be contented, it's true, you may say so that feel not such great afflictions, but if you felt my affliction that I feel, you would think it hard to bear and be content.
To that I answer, Let it be as great an affliction as it will, it is not so great as thy sin, He hath punished thee less than thy sins.
Secondly, It might have been a great deal more, thou mightest have been in Hell: And it is (as I remember) Bernards speech, saith he, It is an easier matter to be oppressed than perish. Thou mightest have been in Hell, and therefore the greatness of the thing should not make thee murmur, grant it be great.
Secondly, It might have been a great deal more, thou mightest have been in Hell: And it is (as I remember) Bernards speech, saith he, It is an eafier matter to be opprest than perish. Thou mightest have been in Hell, and therefore the greatness of the thing should not make thee murmure, grant it be great.
Thirdly, It may be 'tis the greater because thy heart doth so murmur: for shackles upon a mans legs, if his legs be sore, it will pain him the more; if the shoulder be sore, the burden is the greater. It is because thy heart is so unsound, that thy affliction, is great unto thee, and that is the sixth Reasoning.