A10945:1536
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.
These and such like, whiles they are secretly brought upon the people of God, do they not (think we) manifestly prove that Satan hath beguiled them? And whiles he bringeth them to this point, doth he not greatly deface the beauty of a godly life in them? Do not some of them fear, that they are departed from God utterly, no more to return, though this (I say) should not be? And they who go not so far from sound judgement, are they not yet much appalled? where is their former peace and spiritual rejoicing in God their portion? what is become of their constancy in watchfulness, and holy care?1 where is their strong confidence which they should not cast away? their fervent prayers, their fruitfulness in sundry duties when they §Bfeel themselves neither fit to be in company, nor to be occupied in their calling, nor without danger to be alone by themselves? I think these are the fruits of lamentable wants in such good things as sometime they enjoyed: and not bare wants; for such shall the best of us have whiles we live, and yet not be without peace, nor unsettled: but these which I have spoken of, both unsettle and distemper them whom the Devil oppresseth with them. So that it may truly be said, that this is one special kind of lets whereby he hindereth the going forward of Gods people, even in holding them from constancy and steadfastness in living godly from day to day, and from renewing their covenant with God from time to time: without which grace it is §Cnot possible for them to be free from sore blemishes, and inward vexation, and outward reproach thereby, which the beloved of the Lord should be far from. And although through Gods tender kindness, (whereby he keepeth them that they be not utterly forsaken, and will keep them to the end) although (I say) through this goodness of God, all these turn to their good; yet that is not long of them or of their security and sleight serving of God, the Devil intending no other thing thereby but the dishonour of God and their overthrow. If any shall say, There are none but go aside these ways: I answer, It is therefore the more necessary that we should be warned thereof, and fenced against them. And by this it may appear, what a main let §Dand hindrance this is to Gods people from a Christian life: