A10945:1106
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
Treatise 4 › Chapter 3: Of the second reason, of a daily direction consisting of two branches.
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.
And what other thing is contained in the words of the Prophet? for in saying that we must take heed to our ways, that is, our course of life and the §Iactions thereof, doth he except any one more then another? So that it is manifest both by the doctrine of the word of God, as also by the examples thereof, that not only there ought to be a general guiding of Gods people by the word, but also a particular trying of their ways thereby, and that this ought to be as a trade to be followed in one point as in another, according to the knowledge of every one, and therefore to be made an ordinary course, to seek to have direction in all things. So that in the more actions of our lives, that we are ignorant and to seek, whether we do them lawfully or no; the more we must see our debt to God, and find fault with our selves, that we may see the greater need to sue for pardon, which few §Kdo see. And therefore are the particular duties set down almost in every epistle, both which all Christians ought to perform, and the contrary sins, that they may see according to the occasions offered, how to employ themselves: and also more specially of men and women; old and young; rich and poor; masters and servants; both inward affections, and external actions: all which, to what end serve they, or why should they have been ⟨p. 301⟩§Aset down, but to teach this, that men must tie themselves shorter, and deny many noisome liberties, which now they take and run after: and also to teach, that every part of a Christians life requireth direction, that he must shun that which is natural (I mean his own) and be guided by that which is spiritual, namely, by the word of God.
And what other thing is contained in the words of the Prophet? for in saying that we must take heede to our wayes, that is, our course of life and the §Iactions thereof, doth he except any one more then another? So that it is manifest both by the doctrine of the word of God, as also by the examples thereof, that not onely there ought to be a generall guiding of Gods people by the word, but also a particular trying of their wayes thereby, and that this ought to be as a trade to be followed in one poynt as in another, according to the knowledge of euery one, and therefore to be made an ordinarie course, to seeke to haue direction in all things. So that in the more actions of our liues, that we are ignorant and to seeke, whether we doe them lawfully or no; the more wee must see our debt to God, and finde fault with our selues, that we may see the greater neede to sue for pardon, which few