A10945:122
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.
For he having now with the skilful merchant weighed the price of this §Fpearl,1 namely, to have Christ to become his, hath it in such estimation, that he counteth meanly of all things, in comparison of this: and in good advisedness selleth all that he hath, to buy it. But what hath he (you will ask) of his own, to purchase or come into the possession of it? As for his goods and riches, whatsoever he enjoyeth, they are not his own, but an others, and borrowed:2 (yet many thousand poor souls which shall be saved, have little or no wealth at all) but this precious pearl is not bought with money. What hath he then (ye say) to procure it?3 verily, he hath nothing, but an interest and hold in sinful pleasures,4 and worldly lusts. But alas (some man will say) what do ye naming of them, as things any thing worth? But I §Gsay again, I must mention that which he hath of his own: and that is his sin: which though every reasonable man will say, that it is not worth the mentioning, yet it was sometime, more precious to him then silver, and in account above the purest gold:5 and therefore to renounce it, is no easy nor small matter. And yet (so well it falleth out for him) there is no other thing required of him, to the attaining of the forementioned pearl, then the casting away and the forsaking of that his sin. For so the Lord plainly testifieth: he that denieth himself, he shall be my disciple: and whosoever forsaketh any thing (that is,6 which God condemneth) he shall have an hundred fold more then he forgoeth, (so bountiful a rewarder is the Lord of §Hall that seek him) and afterward, eternal life.