A10945:1353
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.
1And as for exhortation, which is a stirring up of them to proceed in the ways of the Lord, as Barnabas did the people in the book of the Acts; and as Paul doth oft require it to be used among Christians: so doubtless he that laboureth in such a work,2 doth discharge an excellent duty. But he must be a man so free from worldly incumbrances, and so looking to the necessity of the performing of it, (through the coldness that is in men) and to the good that cometh by it, that he may stir up this gift in himself, whosoever §Ghe be, that hath any such; and not be dismayed, if success follow not by and by, as he would wish. I have seen much good done by it, even in the mouth of private men. And if it were kindly used of Christians, as they shall have occasion, and much more by the Minister, there would much good blessing follow it: but if men take not heed, the Devil doth so craftily hinder it, that it will take small effect, but rather be frustrate and broken off. That will be, if he who should be occupied in this service to God, be a loose liver himself, he shall do no good by it to others; and he shall soon wax weary of it: and especially if he be not very watchful in his earthly dealings, that there grow no conceits, strangeness and other §Hdislikes by means of them, betwixt him and others: for they will soon hinder it.
1And as for exhortation, which is a stirring vp of them to proceed in the wayes of the Lord, as Barnabas did the people in the booke of the Acts; and as Paule doth oft require it to be vsed among Christians: so doubtlesse he that laboureth in such a worke,2 doth discharge an excellent duty. But he must be a man so free from worldly incumbrances, and so looking to the necessitie of the performing of it, (through the coldnesse that is in men) and to the good that commeth by it, that he may stirre vp this gift in himselfe, whosoeeuer §Ghe be, that hath any such; and not be dismayed, if successe follow not by and by, as he would wish. I haue seene much good done by it, euen in the mouth of priuate men. And if it were kindly vsed of Christians, as they shall haue occasion, and much more by the Minister, there would much good blessing followe it: but if men take not heed, the Diuell doth so craftily hinder it, that it will take small effect, but rather be frustrate and broken off. That will be, if he who should be occupied in this seruice to God, be a loose liuer himselfe, he shall do no good by it to others; and he shall soone waxe weary of it: and especially if he be not very watchfull in his earthly dealings, that there grow no conceipts, straungenesse and other