A10945:1262
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.
And as I know, that this is the main and greatest cause, why so few are §Dlights and examples to others, so when people are taught the truth clearly concerning this matter, (for I am sure that it is neglected of many through ignorance) let them either resolve to be governed through the day, and from day to day, or let them look to find small rejoicing in the christian life with much uncomfortableness, which otherwise need not to be. And therefore in the fear of God, let men think and judge of themselves as Gods word teacheth them: yea, let them profess as they be, or let them look to find as they be, and not as they profess. But as the most do handle the matter,1 they shall find it harder to practise a christian life after seven years twice told, then the hardest trade after half seven. And as it is with many of them who never §Elearned their occupation well, that they are never skilful in it, nor thrive by it as others do: so one especial cause why many never practise godliness to the welfare of their souls, neither prosper nor be well liking therein, is: because they never soundly learned how to live godly for continuance, and constantly one day as an other;2 but pieced and patched up the same with here a good deed, and there another, and in being sometime devout and zealous, the most of their actions being unregarded: and of many of them it ⟨p. 344⟩may truly be said, the power of godliness was never throughly rooted and settled §Fin their hearts.
And as I know, that this is the maine and greatest cause, why so fewe are §Dlights and examples to others, so when people are taught the truth clearely concerning this matter, (for I am sure that it is neglected of many through ignorance) let them either resolue to be gouerned through the day, and from day to day, or let them looke to find small reioycing in the christian life with much vncomfortablenesse, which otherwise need not to be. And therefore in the feare of God, let men thinke and iudge of themselues as Gods word teacheth them: yea, let them professe as they be, or let them looke to find as they be, and not as they professe. But as the most do handle the matter,