A10945:132
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 I have spoken for their sakes who more hardly do lay hold on Gods mercy, and do with more difficulty apply the promise to themselves: the which to do with all possible care, and not to be turned aside from examining our selves soundly and throughly by any let, is a grace of the greatest importance. And he is wise indeed, who will not stay before he have it: which wisdom God will teach them whom he loveth: for though many very ignorant and careless hearers do hardly, yea never come to any resolution of faith; yet ordinarily, where people are soundly, clearly and wisely §Ktaught, it is otherwise: for (to speak of them, who shall be saved) the word so preached,1 by little and little soaketh and distilleth into the hearts of many of them. And though they know not when this gracious work of God was wrought, for the most part, as neither can we discern and see the plants and herbs when they shoot out, though in time we see it is so: yet some there are, whom God in special manner doth privilege at one time ⟨p. 23⟩§Aand in one day to receive that grace, and gift of assurance, which others are long labouring and travailing for, before they attain it:2 As our Saviour Christ pronounceth of Zacheus: This day is this man become the son of Abraham, and salvation is come into his house. So Lydia, and they in the Act. 2.37.3 And this is the faith whether it be weak or strong which uniteth to Christ; and maketh them that have it (which is a mystery and riddle to the world) to have and enjoy their hearts desire; yea and indeed more then they could desire or think, namely, to be truly the children of God, and thereby happy. Even the same faith, for which Christ pronounced Peter blessed: who when he saw him but in base estate the son of man, yet for the words which §BChrist had spoken, and his miracles, had believed him to be also the Son of God, the anointed of the Lord, and his Saviour, he pronounced this of him: Blessed art thou Simon, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee,