A10945:1663
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.
But how much more (think we) shall we be imbondaged and kept back from beautifying the Gospel daily in our conversation,1 if we shall be so unwise as to like of, and join our selves to the company & familiarity of such? For then must we grow to be of one mind with them: for two cannot walk together (as the Prophet speaketh) but they must be of one mind:2 therefore §BSolomon adviseth us, that we should depart from the foolish man, 3when we perceive not in him the lips of knowledge. q.d. if he declare his folly (that is, his wicked state) by shameful sin, and by his speech bewray that he hath no savour in good communication; but despising and scorning knowledge and instruction, and hating to be reformed. And again:4 He that walketh with the wise shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be afflicted, that is, take part with them of their punishment. We read of Joseph, 5when he was importunately urged from day to day by his whorish Mistress to adultery, that he not only consented not, nor hearkened to her to lye with her, but would not so much as be in her company. And that was a special cause, why David §Cwould not go home with Saul, when he reconciled himself kindly to him,6 and bad him come again, the second time: for he knew his Court was full of flatterers, liars, slanderers, and malice-bearers. But the allurements to ill company are so forcible, the persuasions so many, and Satan's sleights so subtle to deceive, even those who have some fear of God, that they prevail with too many to their cost, while the hope of pleasure, profit or preferment doth blind their eyes in such wise, as they do not only quench, yea and so grieve the spirit of God in them, that thereby they be left destitute of the power and effectual working of it: but also are led captives by the devil into many sins, and are snared in them, as the bird in the net, that they cannot