A10945:1385
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.
But let us hear another which was before Tully, whose example is recorded §Bof him, and of that wise man Cato, expressed in his own words, thus: Publius Scipio African, the first of that name, was wont to say, That he was never less idle or unoccupied, then when he was free from business; and that he was never less solitary, then when he was alone. Which speech manifestly declareth, that he did use to think of weighty matters, when he had laid the doing of them aside for a season; and that he was wont to commune with himself, when he was alone.
But let vs heare another which was before Tully, whose example is recorded §Bof him, and of that wise man Cato, expressed in his owne words, thus: Publius Scipio African, the first of that name, was wont to say, That he was neuer lesse idle or vnoccupied, then when he was free from busines; and that he was neuer lesse solitarie, then when he was alone. Which speech manifestly declareth, that he did vse to thinke of weightie matters, when he had laid the doing of them aside for a season; and that he was wont to commune with himselfe, when he was alone.
So that, neither he was idle at any time, and yet that he had no need of company to find him occupied. And whereas most men cannot tell what to do when they have not some work to set themselves about, but become utterly §Cidle, except their heads be running after some evil; he was both profitably exercised, and the better quickened and sharpened by such intermission to return to public affairs and business again. Therefore (as hath been said) he by the keeping of his mind occupied, and by searching out those things which by musing and contemplation he attained unto, was never either alone or unoccupied. This was reported of Scipio a Heathen, who could occupy himself in no better things then momentany and earthly; as moral virtues, government of commonwealths, and the searching out of natural causes of things: which all are done by mans reason.