A10945:1559
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.
Even these (I say) are sufficiently convicted, to have left their first love, who are thus eclipsed and darkened as I have said. For how can others be drawn by their examples, when they see them not to hold out the profession of their hope with joyfulness as they were wont? Nay, how can they choose but be more backward in religion and discouraged by the same? Indeed I confess, it requireth the whole man to be taken up and employed in this work, that God may be served of us with such cheerfulness and readiness as he was at the beginning: but what then? Can we for all that deny, that we ought to be employed with all possible care therein? And what day cometh over our heads, wherein God giveth us not encouragement hereunto? For §Ewhat day do we not, or may we not, make our hearts merry with the Lords favour freely granted us, and his loving countenance shining upon us?
Euen these (I say) are sufficiently conuicted, to haue left their first loue, who are thus eclipsed and darkened as I haue said. For how can others be drawne by their examples, when they see them not to hold out the profession of their hope with ioyfulnesse as they were wont? Nay, how can they choose but be more backward in religion and discouraged by the same? Indeed I confesse, it requireth the whole man to be taken vp and employed in this worke, that God may be serued of vs with such chearefulnesse and readines as he was at the beginning: but what then? Can we for all that denie, that we ought to be employed with all possible care therein? And what day cometh ouer our heads, wherein God giueth vs not encouragement hereunto? For §Ewhat day do we not, or may we not, make our hearts merrie with the Lords fauour freely graunted vs, and his louing countenance shining vpon vs?
And can it be any less then our great sin,1 to have our hearts going after strange delights, which shall shoulder out this which is the greatest? I grant we are renewed but in part, and that much corruption remaineth to cloy and encumber us; and through Satan's malice and vigilancie, not only to hinder, but even to hold under goodness in us; especially through so many