A10945:1650
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 to touch these in order: First,1 how justly is this to be complained of almost universally, that for all the encouragements we have to the patient and well bearing of our afflictions; yet rare is the man, who is not made worse, and whose heart is not hardened against God by them,2 rather then the person more meek and humbly minded? For if they be heavy and grievous they do oft times raise bitterness and impatience: and if they continue long, §Ethey will commonly work a fear of Gods wrath for some sins, although repented of, yet coming a fresh into his remembrance.3 The Lord hath taught us in many parts of his word, that his corrections are sent from him to all his beloved ones, as from a most loving father, and for their great good; that they may not perish with the rest of the world, but have trial of their faith and patience thereby, and so most sound joy: so far is it off, that he taketh pleasure in hard handling of us, but doth all for our good: yet how ⟨p. 468⟩many are so wise, as to make these uses of their afflictions, as God would have §Fthem;4 but contrarily, are led by the devil to impatience, fretting, frowardness and most painful pensiveness: all which do vex them more by many degrees, then the troubles themselves. For this doth he often ring in their ears:5 How can it be, that he loveth you, and yet afflicteth you thus? Again, God hath taught them, that he hath many ways to deliver his; and promised, that their afflictions shall not be above their strength, and also that he will send a good end of them: which being weighed, were enough to uphold them: but Satan washeth away all such encouragements, and carieth them headlong from resting upon Gods word with peace; and yet for all this his prevailing against them, they see not themselves to be made his bondmen.