A10945:1617
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.
I grant it is to be allowed that Solomon saith: A diligent hand maketh rich: and, The slothful cometh to poverty. But that none may be deceived §Dwith mis-understanding his words,1 let him be the interpreter himself what diligence it is which he alloweth to grow rich by; even such and no other, as will give him leave to seek wisdom as gold, and to lay it up as treasure, and to labour for understanding above all things: such also, as in the middest of his diligence to become rich, he be afraid to offend: and such, as it may not be his travel that he doth most look after. Such an evil is to be seen in the world (I mean, even amongst men otherwise well to be hoped of) that they do not mark, when the sweetness of gain coming in is felt, how godly duties grow as bitter and unsavoury to them, which was wont to be otherwise with them. Last of all, besides these before named, in christian §Emens dealings, worse things for the getting of this worlds good, may come to pass: that is, that unlawful means may be practised,2 as injuring one of another, whiles either by deceit in bargaining or otherwise it be offered; or whiles violence be showed, oppression and rigour, and there be none against them able to resist it: more particularly, whiles men, contrary to Gods commandment, do put their money to usury.
I graunt it is to be allowed that Salomon saith: A diligent hand maketh rich: and, The slouthful commeth to pouertie. But that none may be deceiued §Dwith mis-vnderstanding his wordes,1 let him be the interpreter himself what diligence it is which he alloweth to grow rich by; euen such and no other, as will giue him leaue to seeke wisedome as gold, and to lay it vp as treasure, and to labour for vnderstanding aboue all things: such also, as in the middest of his diligence to become rich, he be affraid to offend: and such, as it may not be his trauell that he doth most looke after. Such an euill is to be seene in the world (I meane, euen amongst men otherwise well to be hoped of) that they do not marke, when the sweetnesse of gaine comming in is felt, how godly duties grow as bitter and vnsauourie to them, which was wont to be otherwise with them. Last of all, besides these before named, in christian