A10945:1052
Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading…Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading…
Seven treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holy Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happiness, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianity. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learn how to lead a godly and comfortable life every day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.Seuen treatises containing such direction as is gathered out of the Holie Scriptures, leading and guiding to true happines, both in this life, and in the life to come: and may be called the practise of Christianitie. Profitable for all such as heartily desire the same: in the which, more particularly true Christians may learne how to leade a godly and comfortable life euery day. Penned by Richard Rogers, preacher of the word of God at Wethersfield in Essex.
London: printed by Felix Kyngston for Thomas Man, 1603
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.
1The second is, that we ask of God no other things, then by his word he §Galloweth us to pray for, and therefore are agreeable to his will; and such as we have a promise to obtain, and that in such sort, as he hath promised them:2 and so doing, we shall not pray in vain. Therefore the Apostle saith, this assurance we have of him, 3that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. Which rule, as it suffereth us not to hunt after our own desire and will: so it is no small benefit, that whatsoever we stand in need of, asking it according to his will, it shall be given us. And who would desire to have that, which our loving and most provident father doth not see good for us? which if it content not some, mark what they get thereby: For they ask, but they obtain not, because they ask amiss: and further, they lose all their labour §Hin praying, thinking themselves good Christians if their lips be going, when God in the mean season, counteth their supposed devotion to be but much babbling,4 being done in ignorance of his will. From this second, ariseth the third, that seeing we have so great encouragement, so precious promises of so many and great good things, as God hath bequeathed to us;5 therefore we should quicken our selves to come in faith and confidence, and oft times and cheerfully to this duty. Even as men do come cheerfully, and with good hope go to their approved neighbours in their necessities to borrow, when they have often promised them to lend. And no marvel it is though there be both seldom praying, and untoward §Igoing about it, where faith is wanting to set them forward, and assurance of obtaining, to bring them on, with comfort. And in great wisdom and love, hath God given us leave to rejoice in making our prayers to him, by this believing, that we shall receive somewhat thereby (according to that which he sayeth in Saint John: