A10945:1535
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.
They are no wiser nor deserve any greater commendation then the former, who at some times and for a season keep and observe such order and direction to lead their lives by, as they have learned out of the holy Scriptures;1 but by little and little they fall to do it in a sleight and common manner, even for fashion in great part, and rather through custom and for shame (and so wax soon veary) then with delight and comfort: and all because their hearts go not with their actions constantly, neither do they regard or look to their consciences in one thing as in another, that they may be kept in peace. In all which though they cannot so much be blamed for any great §Ievil they do, yet their inconstancy in declining so soon from their good beginnings, is no small blemish in them, although they lie not long therein. Whereby who doth not see that the Devil watcheth them narrowly, that he may spoil them of their liberties and bring them into sore dangers; although few of them give themselves to know by whom this is wrought, neither mark what letted them, or put them out of their course, much less prevent or resist them? Nay, which is more to be marvelled at, some are so grossly deceived by him, that they are not grieved (for the time) that they were letted, but glad to have excuses for their breaking out. Again, when they are distempered in their course and fallen into evil thereby, yet know they §Knot how to recover, but fall further; or be afraid to go about their recovery. Some, when God giveth them an inkling of his displeasure, yet go forward till he strike them with more main blows; and then they become blockish under great afflictions: as we read of Jonah, when he fell asleep notwithstanding his sin,2 after he was told of the great danger which did then hang over him.
They are no wiser nor deserue any greater commendation then the former, who at some times and for a season keepe and obserue such order and direction to leade their liues by, as they haue learned out of the holy Scriptures;1 but by litle and litle they fall to do it in a sleight and common manner, euen for fashion in great part, and rather through custome and for shame (and so waxe soone veary) then with delight and comfort: and all because their hearts go not with their actions constantly, neither do they regard or looke to their consciences in one thing as in another, that they may be kept in peace. In all which though they cannot so much be blamed for any great