A10945:1628
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.
The fourth and last sort of them which ought to have a part in our goods,1 (so that the giving of that to them which we owe them, may help to hinder and abate covetousness in us:) this last sort, I say, are the poor,2 whom we shall always have among us (as our Saviour saith) that we may do good to them. 3Therefore much more we must take it as granted, that we may in no wise hurt or wrong them, which we may not offer to any other, (though with some, all is fish that cometh into the net (as they say;) and they care not who forgo it, ⟨p. 460⟩so that they may have it.4) We must know further, that to these we owe mercy §Fand compassion: and that, in this manner, namely, to give them for their present need: to lend to them for their upholding in their trade: to bear with them when they have it not to pay at the due time: and to remit it to them altogether, when they cannot, and yet fain would discharge it: and to help them up again who are decayed: (Always looking to this, that the subtle and slothful be excepted.5) And for the performing of these duties, let somewhat be laid aside as God blesseth us, either quarterly as we receive it, or otherwise, as God bringeth it to our hands; not thinking the tithe of our gain and savings in the year to be too much for them. The Apostle willeth men to be rich in good works and not niggardly; & God calls Giving a grace.§G And know we, that the Lord loveth this, that we do it with cheerfulness, and (where much is not) that the widows mite was highly accepted. And thus I have showed who are the persons, and in what manner our hearts should be enlarged towards them. And this briefly be said of the second remedy against a worldly and covetous heart: which being laid with the first, shall not be found a small mean to disfigure and maim such a sin: especially, when they shall both go with the other two which follow.