A10945:1705
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.
1And to the end, that in this work we may more happily go forward, and this watch be the better kept: our purpose was to avoid carefully all outward hinderances, and to avoid occasions of quenching Gods spirit in us, as we shall have wisdom to see them: as, too far entering into dealings or §Htalk about the world, to call our selves back from all excess that way: also unprofitable and dangerous company and acquaintance, any unnecessary and idle talk: and whatsoever else like unto these. And contrarily, to be careful to continue with diligence and delight, not only the exercise and use of such holy means of meditation and prayer, as well by our selves as with others also, reading, hearing and conference, &c. but also with minds to reap fruit by the same: which is not always intended, nor sought for so oft as the things themselves are used. As for example: seeing the readiest and best way to nourish and continue this holy desire, and careful watching over our hearts, is increase of knowledge, by the help of hearing and reading §I(for zealous and holy affections are like a flame of fire, which without the adding and putting to of wood, as new matter, will soon be quenched and extinguished; so will our looking to our hearts, and observing of them, be loosely and lightly continued:) it is our purpose to stir up our selves with more earnestness hereunto, because we know that we shall otherwise frustrate and make vain our whole covenant.
1And to the end, that in this worke we may more happily go forward, and this watch be the better kept: our purpose was to auoide carefully all outward hinderances, and to auoide occasions of quenching Gods spirit in vs, as we shall haue wisedome to see them: as, too farre entring into dealings or §Htalke about the world, to call our selues backe from all excesse that way: also vnprofitable and dangerous company and acquaintance, any vnnecessary and idle talke: and whatsoeuer else like vnto these. And contrarily, to be carefull to continue with diligence and delight, not onely the exercise and vse of such holy meanes of meditation and prayer, as well by our selues as with others also, reading, hearing and conference, &c. but also with minds to reape fruite by the same: which is not alwayes intended, nor sought for so oft as the things themselues are vsed. As for example: seeing the readiest and best way to nourish and continue this holy desire, and carefull watching ouer our hearts, is increase of knowledge, by the helpe of hearing and reading