A10945:1619
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.
And thus his spiders web which with much care and long time was in working, is now suddenly swept away in one moment. It were infinite to say that which might here be uttered, and to very good purpose, how many ways and how far the poor soul may be led to deceive it self; and finally to be utterly undone being altogether bereft of all heavenly furniture, through the foolish and sottish dreams of earthly felicity, which do oftentimes fasten even upon good men sometime unawares, through the corruption of the heart and the commonness of this evil which they see in the world.
And thus his spiders webbe which with much care and long time was in working, is now suddenly swept away in one moment. It were infinite to say that which might here be vttered, and to very good purpose, how many waies and how farre the poore soule may be led to deceiue it selfe; and finally to be vtterly vndone being altogether bereft of all heauenly furniture, through the foolish and sottish dreames of earthly felicitie, which do oftentimes fasten euen vpon good men sometime vnawares, through the corruption of the heart and the commonnesse of this euill which they see in the world.
1All which how clearly do they prove, that riches are commanders and masters, and men slaves and servants to whatsoever they will force them; and get such secret love and liking in their hearts, that it will be a matter of great difficulty to break their fellowship, and yet a greater vexation of the hart when it must be broken? There is such a near agreement and liking betwixt our nature and them, that we can talk with them as with a friend; and are led by them to many evil purposes and ends. So that we may possibly be brought to abuse them to the satisfying of our lusts, both in excess, licentiousness, pride and the jointing of our adversaries; and what not (that I say not much of the deceitfulness which there is small hope to make men §Ksee: that is, to become very slaves and droiles for the advancing of their children, neglecting for that cause whatsoever opportunities God offereth them of doing much good)? For it may be seen, that many rich men have seemed to live to no other end, then to leave great wealth to them whom (yet) they laboured not to make fit to use it aright, and therefore provided to the undoing of them.