A10945:1266
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.
This is such a guide as is able to carry thee safely, as I have said: howbeit, if it shall please God to bring to light a plainer and sounder, be ready to embrace it; but rest thankful to God in the mean season for the help thou ⟨p. 345⟩§Amayest have by this. But for my weak brethren's sake, whom (while I go about to help and set forward,) I would be loath to hinder and discourage, this I think good to add: that they who cannot yet apprehend the whole, neither see it possible to be guided by every of these rules which I have set down, let them be ready to do better then they have done, as they shall be taught; let them be willing to add somewhat to their hearing, reading, and prayers both in time to do them oftener, and in fervency, to quicken them to endeavour more carefully to practise that which they shall be able. I know all cannot be partakers of the same measure of grace, and yet one and the same direction is fit for the strong, and the weak; and he is in good way, who is §Bwilling to be directed: only, this is the caveat which I give to my brethren:1 Let not that be despised in a scornful manner, which men well understand not; nor upon stomach refused or misliked, which they sufficiently weigh not, and all because it cutteth off many parts of bad behaviour, which they cannot readily cast off, & depriveth of vain liberties, which they were wont to use when they knew no better. He that frameth himself faithfully to be led by any one of the fore-mentioned rules constantly, will desire and shall obtain a part in the rest as I have said: although there be not present strength to accomplish that which he desireth, seeing faith in him is weak, whereby he should come by and attain it. And to such I speak, not doubting to assure §Ceven them, that God will give them a blessed fruit of this travel, how far soever they feel themselves off from possibility of taking good by the same.
This is such a guide as is able to carrie thee safely, as I haue said: howbeit, if it shall please God to bring to light a plainer and sounder, be readie to embrace it; but rest thankefull to God in the meane season for the helpe thou ⟨p. 345⟩