A10945:14
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.
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
The children of this world are in their generation wiser then the children of light. 1The truth hereof may appear in the Papists; who discerning that their books of Controversies, stuffed with manifold untruths, fallacians, and corruptions, were not able to gain sufficiently (though small gain be too great for such merchants) to their Babylonish kingdom,2 3have set themselves and others on work (being all set on work of Hell) to pen certain treatises, tending to ensnare and entangle the minds of ignorant and simple Christians, in the corrupt and filthy puddle of Popish devotion. In this respect I persuade my self, it is come to pass (not without the gracious providence of God) that the author hereof hath been encouraged in himself, and by others, to write these Christian directions, as a counterpoison to all such enchantments of Papists, who would by these means bear men in hand, that all true devotion dwelt amongst them▪ and were enclosed and tied to their Cells and Cloisters: In which unclean cages it is unpossible for any true spiritual and holy meditations to have their abiding: for as much as even the very minds and consciences of such unclean birds,4 are defiled with damnable errors, and Idolatries. Wherefore I would earnestly advise, and heartily entreat thee (Christian Reader) to embrace this book, wherein thou shalt find good precepts, and holy directions, not delivered by rote (as from a Parrot) out of the books and writings of other men: but confirmed by the singular experience of one, who hath long laboured the conversion, and confirmation of many other; but especially the mortification and quickening of his own soul and conscience: one, whom indeed I have ever esteemed another Greenham: and herein more happy then he; because he hath lived to pen, and peruse his own labours, and may yet live (by the mercy of God) to correct and amend whatsoever slip of his pen (for in a long work one may happily take a nap, two, or three) shall be showed unto him. Read it therefore (beloved Christian) and that with diligence: and thou shalt find (I doubt not) more true light and direction to a true devout and holy life, then in all the Resolutions of the Jesuitical Father Parsons (though never so refined, as a brick newly washed) or meditations of Friar Granatensis, or any Popish Directories whatsoever.