A10945:1289
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 13: Of the declaration of the second duty, of beginning the day with prayer.
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 (to speak more plainly) that they being thus well fenced with this spiritual reviving of their minds, and heartening of themselves against all assaults, before they enter into the field with their enemy, they may be well armed against the battery of temptations and provocations, which will undoubtedly meet with them: and so keep their lives from the force of them, and from hurt by them in far better manner, then such can do, who being naked and destitute of this furniture, do lie open unto them, whatsoever conceit they have of their own wisdom and strength.
And (to speake more plainely) that they being thus well fenced with this spirituall reuiuing of their minds, and hartening of themselues against all assaults, before they enter into the field with their enemie, they may be well armed against the batterie of temptations and prouocations, which will vndoubtedly meete with them: and so keepe their liues from the force of them, and from hurt by them in farre better maner, then such can do, who being naked and destitute of this furniture, do lie open vnto them, whatsoeuer conceipt they haue of their owne wisdome and strength.
And this which I have said being well considered, I do not see what exception can be brought against this part of duty, unless any will further cavil about the time, which I said need not be much, after we have well learned how to bestow the same. To the which I tie no man, having showed what time the performance of such a duty doth require: and otherwise, I leave it to all to consider, whether their willingness, sufficiency in gifts, and their leisure will yield more time, or not so much; so as there be a faithful ⟨p. 352⟩discharge of the duty, in such sort as they may rest therein with peace,§F and may feel themselves more fit to walk warily, and strengthened against the dangers which fall out in the day: which they in no wise should doubt of, if they do it sincerely. And now I have said of this second duty what I have thought convenient to him which desireth to use it to his profit; teaching him that is ignorant, how to practise it; and exhorting him that (through necessity of importunate business at some time) is constrained to omit it in the first beginning of the day, that yet afterwards he watch his best leisure and opportunity to perform it: and last of all, answered objections, as I have seen it expedient.