A10945:1307
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.
Now to the end we may thus cheerfully go about them, as knowing that God alloweth such works of ours, and so thereby be disposed more readily to other parts of duty, (which we see to be no common thing in the world) first this must be considered:1 that it is the Lord that setteth us in our callings, and hath promised to be with us, and to give us good success in them, and to help us bear all tediousness therein; and further,2 that he hath willed us to do all such duties for his sake, in such manner as if we did them unto him, and from him to look for a reward. Now what true Christian is §Dthere, who, if he believe this, is not encouraged to do his business readily and willingly? who would not be glad to do any thing which might please God? and whose heart should not be joyful to go about the Lords work, whereby tediousness, unquietness and manifold unsettlings are removed? And so should we not grow out of frame, but have our minds readily prepared to other duties. And most sure it is, that mens callings and labours are so burdensome unto them, even for this cause, that they do not think thus of them. Neither are such cheerful at their work, but only for the gain, that moveth them, or for that they must needs: & being so unwillingly & corruptly occupied in them, neither are they fit for any good thing or duty after.3 The §EMinister who is consecrated by the Lord even to divine studies and passings of his time, and hath it enjoined him for his calling that he attend daily to reading privately, and to doctrine and exhortation publicly; how hardly obtaineth he it of himself (as heavenly and sweet a calling as it is) to abide and hold out therein? yea and how few do it, (I speak even of such as have received good gifts of God, not of the worser sorts only,) but trifle out their precious time as other do? As though it were little to be regarded which is ⟨p. 358⟩written: He that winneth souls is wise: and they that have instructed others,§F