A10945:1505
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 although they be free from this danger; yet the devil working upon their infirmities, casteth many moe mists before their eyes then we can reckon up, whereby he keeps them under. Yet all this is done by the most wise providence of God, disposing even these hinderances which Satan layeth in their way, to the most earnest stirring up of them to fasten and lay hold on his mercy; besides the which, they see nothing but deadly unquietness. And this use all such weak ones are to make of their doubting,1 fear of condemnation, §Band the trouble of mind which goeth with it: and therefore to give daily attendance upon the ministry of the word, which doth help to supply that which is wanting in their faith: to receive help privately of their teachers, and others who are experienced; and as well themselves to use daily to meditate upon Gods promises, as also to pray oft and earnestly to God that nothing may hold them back or be a let from safe resting upon the same; especially seeing their hearts are so set upon and possessed with the love and desire thereof, that nothing can satisfy them without it. For do they not see, by all that hath been said to this purpose from the first entering into this matter, that they are the persons to whom Christ saith: Believe? and again:2 §CSeek and ye shall find? and also to whom he saith: I came not to break the bruised reed, nor to quench the smoking flax? Yea they are those to whom he speaketh, as he did to Peter: I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not;3 and to whom he saith: Seeing ye thirst after the water of life, I will give it you. But if they be stayed by these means in time, (as it is the thing to the which they must come) and be upholden thereby, the Lord so blessing them; yet the devil giveth them not over, even then, as though he were vanquished and overcome. For the present time indeed, he being thus resisted, flieth from them (as Saint James saith) having done his best, and yet hath not prevailed against them: which to their singular comfort they may observe,4