A10945:133
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 faith though Peter had, and he hath it of whom I speak, even whosoever it be whom the Lord maketh blessed (for both weak and strong are partakers of one and the same precious faith, 2. Pet. 1.1.1) yet the common professors and hearers of the Gospel have it not, because they do not look that the Lord should reveal it to them, without which they cannot have it, but take counsel of their own wisdom and reason, which do hinder and §Chold them back from it. For reason thinketh it an absurd thing, and to be laughed at, that a man simple in the world, & a sinner, especially sore burdened with his misery, and confessing the same, should yet be more happy before God, and in his own knowledge, then all the worlds good can make him: Mans wisdom (I say) can never be persuaded of this; but faith holdeth it for truth, and enjoyeth such an estate with good security. And how God revealeth any such thing unto men (which yet is plainly said he did unto Peter) they cannot tell nor see: except this be it, when they think and have a good hope that it is so: as though such a thing might be wrought in them, and they not know how, the change which it worketh being so apparent: §Dor that God might reveal this secret mystery of faith to them, & they not aware of it; yea and that (which is more) especial signs accompanying it.
This faith though Peter had, and he hath it of whom I speake, euen whosoeuer it be whom the Lord maketh blessed (for both weake and strong are partakers of one and the same precious faith, 2. Pet. 1.1.1) yet the common professors and hearers of the Gospell haue it not, because they doe not looke that the Lord should reueale it to them, without which they cannot haue it, but take counsell of their owne wisedome and reason, which doe hinder and §Chold them backe from it. For reason thinketh it an absurd thing, and to bee laughed at, that a man simple in the world, & a sinner, especially sore burthened with his miserie, and confessing the same, should yet be more happie before God, and in his owne knowledge, then all the worlds good can make him: Mans wisedome (I say) can neuer be perswaded of this; but faith holdeth it for truth, and enioyeth such an estate with good securitie. And how God reuealeth any such thing vnto men (which yet is plainly said he did vnto Peter) they cannot tell nor see: except this be it, when they thinke and haue a good hope that it is so: as though such a thing might be wrought in them, and they not know how, the change which it worketh being so apparant: