A10945:144
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.
CHAP. 6. Of the lets that hinder faith on the behalf of the People.
CHAP. 6. Of the lets that hinder faith on the behalfe of the People.
1But if the Minister be framed both in life and doctrine, as were to be wished, thus to give warning to the people of Satan's malicious intents, and other impediments; and so seek to win them to the faith: yet are there such swarms of evils in the people, and so many kinds of them, that except, they for their parts be willing to be counselled, and to receive their message and doctrine, they shall find, that through one let or other, few of them shall be partakers of this precious faith which I speak of. To speak more plainly, my meaning is, Satan layeth infinite stumbling blocks in their way:2 for when God by the Preaching of the Gospel §Kshoweth the world how their sins are pardoned, and their deadly woe removed in Christ, they will not mark it, nor take any pains about it, but esteem of it as of a light matter, as though God did seek his own good by making such an offer to them, rather then theirs: and that he must be more beholden to them for hearing the way to salvation preached, then they to him for teaching them; and so count it not thank worthy. Other have ⟨p. 29⟩§Aweightier matters (as they think) to look after, namely, their pleasures, 3and their profits; with the beauty and love whereof, the devil dazzleth their eyes, that they see nothing there, that is, in their preaching, which can provoke them to be in love with it: although that which can save them be only there to be had. So by one deceit or other he prevaileth so far with them, that they believe not, no not even they, who hearing, receive the doctrine with liking it, and for that very cause think that they believe.