A10945:1311
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 first it may be demanded, whether gentlemen,1 and other who are blessed with abundance of things necessary for this present life,2 shall be bound to some certain calling, wherein they should serve God by their travel therein, benefit others thereby, and keep themselves from the dangers §Bbefore mentioned accompanying those who live without a calling. Or whether it be not their calling, to live as gentlemen use to do: in riding and going up and down, to spend their lives in pastimes, pleasure, and doing what they list. I answer, as in all the rest,3 I speak to such as are willing to be reformed: and to such I say, If they be called to bear any office,4 let them attend upon it, and seek to be fit for it, and worthily discharge it: and therefore let such be acquainted with the laws of the Realm, as well as with the laws of God; and be counsellors and helpers to their neighbours about them: that they may be beloved of them, when they shall see, that with christian conversation they shall enjoy other parts of good neighbourhood by them also. §CAnd let them labour to see their families well governed, and be careful (as Christians may with good consciences) to uphold their outward estate, and to continue it to their posterity. And such as bear no office, let them (being exempted from the labour about the executing of it, which is enjoined to the others) be occupied as they.
And first it may be demanded, whether gentlemen,1 and other who are blessed with abundance of things necessarie for this present life,2 shall be bound to some certaine calling, wherein they should serue God by their trauell therein, benefit others thereby, and keepe themselues from the dangers §B