A10945:1301
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.
In which he doth not only show what commodity a mans labour and diligence in his calling bringeth, and contrariwise: but especially commendeth painfulness and travel, how good, and beseeming Christians they be. He alloweth not (we see) sloth, idleness, and over-reaching heads, in the servants of God; but showeth, that it agreeth well with the best of them to be diligent and well occupied: and that it is not too base and unbeseeming the honour of their profession, to labour and take pains; which the devil too readily persuadeth many: yea, and therefore he saith in another place, (seeing a mean and poor estate might be thought reproachful) that better is a little, 1even a dish of green herbs with peace and love, then a stalled ox with an unquiet §Cconscience and strife. It is the more lamentable to see how numbers degenerate in this point to their own great hurt, and drawing others after them. Some not so well advised and stayed as were meet for them, are ever meddling in other mens matters, and leaving off their own calling spend much time in prying and searching into other mens living, titles of their lands and leases: and busying themselves needlessly, yea and oft times to the great hurt, offence and just complaint of them, with whom they live and seek to have to do. Others, as busy-bodies, and as though religion consisted therein,2 do as it were make a trade of observing other mens faults, neglecting too much their own: and sow dissension, and set debate betwixt neighbours, and with §Dtheir evil tongues, bite and reproach such as are better then themselves. Others trifle out their precious time in seeking of acquaintance, not such whereby they may take good or do good, but spend it in play, jesting and merry-making amiss and profanely, &c. Others occupy themselves in dealings and merchandise, not appertaining unto them, but far above their ability,3 yea, and skill also many times, occupying their trades with other mens goods; and whiles they keep within no bounds, by aiming at great matters without any warrant, do gain less then nothing for their labour, and disable themselves to their own calling: besides this, that their unwise dealings that way, and departing from that business, which they were more fit for, and