A10945:1510
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.
For would it be thought, that such might be brought to be so blinded in that which they do,1 as to think, that if their course be not liked (when it is indeed justly to be misliked) nor their opinions approved though they be fond and unsound, yet that they are hardly dealt withal of those which think so of them? And thus it cometh to pass, that many dare be bold to neglect ⟨p. 421⟩§Agood means publicly and privately; or to use both very negligently, slightly and unreverently, which sometime they durst not do; and to make light account of a sin in word or deed, which sometime they would not allow so much as in thought. And thus many private men take upon them to expound the Scriptures, having no gifts of interpretation, tongues or knowledge thereto; because they think that the children of God may and should do so. Such dreams and fantastical pangs Satan raiseth in the hearts as well of such as have had some taste and feeling of Gods favour, as of others who have gone about the same (foolish flesh too easily liking of, and consenting thereto:) that if Christ be with them, and God love them, under that colour all §Bshould be borne with that they do. Wherein who seeth not that Satan driveth at this, that their profession may be made ridiculous among other, and they themselves after some sore foil, may be discouraged from their profession altogether. I must needs say it is lamentable, that such as God hath enlightened sometimes with some sure hope of his favour and of the life to come, should so be deceived and made to degenerate: but yet that it may be so, by Satan's malicious and subtle undermining of those which are not settled and constant, the oft rehearsing of such offences in Peter by name, and in other of the chiefest Apostles, doth plainly prove; although it is greatly to their shame, and little to their comfort which are in this estate: neither shall §Cthey need to glory much or please themselves therein; because such as have attained to greater grace then they, are no other way but by the power of Gods spirit guiding their hearts, preserved from such like offences.
For would it be thought, that such might be brought to be so blinded in that which they do,