A10945:1321
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 thus much be said of this matter concerning mens outward vocation: whereby among other things this may be seen, that although the most do complain that they are much hindered from a fruitful walking with God, by their earthly callings; yet that is their error, or some way their great sin: for a man fearing God may preserve faith and godliness by a wary & Christian walking in them, & practise many christian duties in the same; as patience, & trust in God, &c. and consequently may please him therein to the great contentment of his own hart. And therefore, if any man find his calling to be a let unto him from serving God religiously, and well spending of the day, let him §Iknow, that the hinderance of him from this is in himself: even some untowardness, intemperance, and rebellion of his hart, either because he knoweth not how to use his calling aright; or else, because he hath given himself too much liberty to depart from following that which he knoweth. But otherwise, if he endeavour to encourage himself by the afore mentioned persuasions, to use it aright, he shall see every day more clearly much cause to praise God for the proof of his love to him and blessing so many ways therein (so far off shall it be from being an encumbrance unto him, as most complain that they find it:) yea, I dare be bold to assure him, and that by the Lords own testimony, (for to him that hath, shall be given, and he shall have abundance) that he §Kshall find by a conscionable discharging of duty in it, much liberty and holy boldness with God. So that, this third rule of a religious walking in our calling, reaching to so great a part of our life, though it may sometime be omitted,* is (we see) much to be regarded; and other duties of equal necessity, when that must wholly or in part be intermitted, must be performed. But this is to be understood according to the helps and encouragements, that ⟨p. 363⟩§Aevery man hath one more then another, thereafter he must be more fruitful: that none may be discouraged on the one side, when he cannot do as he would; or made slothful and negligent (when he might do much more) on the other. Thereafter (I say) ought every man both in his particular vocation, and in all other points of Christianity, bring forth more fruit: