A10945:149
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.
And what is clearer at this day, then this, that of many thousands which receive the glad tidings of eternal life by our preaching, willingly,1 or at the least without resisting our doctrine; yet few, yea very few attain to the power §Bof faith, neither declare any work thereof to be in them? For either they feel no need within themselves, whereby they should be driven to seek help out of themselves, in Christ; or if they do, they by and by, before they sustain any smart, lay their burden upon him: so that he is never sought, nor cared for of them, but when their need pincheth them; and then they believe in him (they say) but be indeed no more stayed and confident by their faith, nor in their lives reformed, then they were before: and so serve him with their tongues, and lips, and follow their own lusts in their hearts; or staggering still betwixt hope and doubt, at a blush rejoicing, and not able to render a reason why; and at another time cast down as far again, in token §Cof no stay nor peace. Now of all these how truly are the Apostles words verified, the Gospel being hidden from them? that is, the promises of it not being believed of them, what other cause is there then this, the devil by one means or other hath so blinded them all, that they believe not: and as for this latter sort, they seeing their misery what it is, and how unavoidable by any way that they can find out, how could they (if they were not enchanted and deprived of their right mind by the devil) be content to go without the remedying thereof, it being so freely and graciously offered them?
And what is cleerer at this day, then this, that of many thousands which receiue the glad tidings of eternall life by our preaching, willingly,1 or at the least without resisting our doctrine; yet few, yea very few attaine to the power §Bof faith, neither declare any worke thereof to bee in them? For either they feele no neede within themselues, whereby they should be driuen to seeke helpe out of themselues, in Christ; or if they doe, they by and by, before they sustaine any smart, lay their burthen vpon him: so that he is neuer sought, nor cared for of them, but when their need pincheth them; and then they beleeue in him (they say) but be indeede no more staied and confident by their faith, nor in their liues reformed, then they were before: and so serue him with their tongues, and lips, and follow their owne lusts in their hearts; or staggering still betwixt hope and doubt, at a blush reioycing, and not able to render a reason why; and at another time cast downe as farre againe, in token