A10945:1081
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.
Now that I have showed who is a true believer, and §Hnext, described the godly life, in the second part of this book; and have set down last of all, the helps and means by which a Christian groweth in the same: it might seem that any servant of God having these three before him, should need no other direction to help to the practising of this godly life, but might easily do the same. And so should I think (having been once of that mind) but that I have perceived by diligent marking and experience,1 that it is seldom seen and hardly found so. Generally (I confess) it is obtained: but particularly it is with them, as with the surgeon,§I who having learned what is a good medicine for a dangerous sore, can lay it to; but having not particular skill how to prepare the sore, how to diet the party, and when and how to apply the medicine, doth long keep him at one stay, or sometime better, sometime worse, but healeth him not; neither doth by degrees bring it to any good estate: so the Christian who hath only some knowledge how and by what means he must grow in godliness, and resist the devil, and overcome his sin, shall find it hard and awke in particulars, and on one day as well as another to do it with peace, except he have full resolution as well as knowledge and skill how, to use and apply the means every day to the diligent observing of his ways,§K both at home and abroad, that he may have the testimony of a good conscience, and rejoicing thereby.
NOw that I haue shewed who is a true beleeuer, and §Hnext, described the godly life, in the second part of this booke; and haue set downe last of all, the helps and meanes by which a Christian groweth in the same: it might seeme that any seruant of God hauing these three before him, should neede no other direction to helpe to the practising of this godly life, but might easily doe the same. And so should I thinke (hauing been once of that minde) but that I haue perceiued by diligent marking and experience,1 that it is seldome seene and hardly found so. Generally (I confesse) it is obtained: but particularly it is with them, as with the surgion,