A10945:1661
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.
1Furthermore, the devil taketh occasion by change of company, dwelling and acquaintance, to steal away mens hearts from goodness, as he did thus deceive Lot; and to neglect the use of good means publicly and privately, as the manner of many is; and to change religion (as they say) with the place.2 And no marvel, when neither the word of God meeteth with them where they become, to awaken, instruct and admonish them; neither good neighbours to observe and provoke them to love and good works, nor to admonish them,3 when they have turned out of the way: but contrarily, evil talk and company is found in stead of them: for such force we read to §Hbe in them, that they are able to corrupt even good manners. But although they meet not with these, yet the devil taketh occasion by the very change of place, to make them change their manners: which mightily over-weigheth with good men, that they sooner gather rust (as coldness, looseness, &c.) from other, then they shall season them with goodness: and when they live not with such as know them to have been forward Christians, it is a strong provocation to them, and a tempting of them to be like others, and to become more backward then they were before, as we may hear of many: for they shall be set upon by the wicked train, till they have found out what is in them, that if they cannot draw them to evil, they may lead them with §Idespite and reproach.
1Furthermore, the diuell taketh occasion by chaunge of companie, dwelling and acquaintance, to steale away mens hearts from goodnesse, as he did thus deceiue Lot; and to neglect the vse of good meanes publikely and priuately, as the maner of many is; and to chaunge religion (as they say) with the place.2 And no maruell, when neither the word of God meeteth with them where they become, to awaken, instruct and admonish them; neither good neighbours to obserue and prouoke them to loue and good works, nor to admonish them,