A10945:140
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.
It is clear therefore (to begin with the Minister) that if he be one which teacheth not at all,1 they that depend upon him cannot know what love God beareth to them through Christ,2 or at least they cannot know it to belong unto them: for as much as faith cometh by hearing of the word of God preached unto them: and as our Saviour saith: If the blind lead the blind, 3both will fall §Einto the ditch. Therefore it is too manifest, that in some parishes,4 not one man knoweth himself to be saved (I say, if he depend upon his Minister) but all such knowledge is a mystery to them. And yet if that were the only let on the Ministers behalf, it were well with many people:5 but where seldom teaching is, the hearers must needs be ignorant of this matter also: because this heavenly truth, to teach how men may know that they are the elect of God, and without wavering, cannot be sufficiently and clearly enough laid ⟨p. 26⟩forth by the skilfullest teachers seldom teaching; neither, if it could, were §Fthe hearers able to conceive and understand, 6remember and be familiarly acquainted with it; so as they may be able to try themselves, and to prove their estate to be good; all which yet is meet and necessary. For though I know that the grounds and general truths are few, upon which this matter dependeth: yet the breaking of them small to the peoples benefit, requireth labour, and time,7 plainness, and love: yea, to teach the same thing oft, for their safety; and in a nurse like or motherly affection to stut and stammer with them: that is, to apply our selves unto them, and to give them here a little, and there a little, now a line, and then a line; and yet to count all little enough to make them savour our message: at least, and to be saved by it. Howsoever many Ministers make