A10945:1710
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 because it is hard, especially for private persons to have always matter in a readiness, which is profitable to meditate upon: (for he that shall be furnished herewithall, must be one which hath a daily observation of his life, without the which grace, even the learneder sort shall be to seek:) therefore some points were set down for those which are least able to help themselves; that by some few of those which are very fit & available, they may set themselves on work, and by them learn to find out others like unto them, which do most nearly tend to the well ordering of the life. By which means appointed and found out for their help and furtherance, if yet unfitness of mind & an untoward heart shall hold them back, being troubled with cares §Iof the world, or deceived with dreams of vain pleasures (which make the meditation of heavenly matters loathsome:) they are to know, that they can have no better occasion offered them to the performing of this duty, then for them to complain of, and seek redress even against this evil and earthly heart, of which they presently complain: and as they can bring that under, so to proceed in musing of, and praying for such grace as they shall see most needful.
And because it is hard, especially for priuate persons to haue alwayes matter in a readinesse, which is profitable to meditate vpon: (for he that shall be furnished herewithall, must be one which hath a daily obseruation of his life, without the which grace, euen the learneder sort shall be to seeke:) therefore some points were set downe for those which are least able to helpe themselues; that by some few of those which are very fit & auaileable, they may set themselues on worke, and by them learne to find out others like vnto them, which do most nearly tend to the well ordering of the life. By which meanes appointed and found out for their helpe and furtherance, if yet vnfitnesse of mind & an vntoward heart shall hold them backe, being troubled with cares §Iof the world, or deceiued with dreames of vaine pleasures (which make the meditation of heauenly matters loathsome:) they are to know, that they can haue no better occasion offered them to the performing of this duty, then for them to complaine of, and seeke redresse euen against this euill and earthly heart, of which they presently complaine: and as they can bring that vnder, so to proceed in musing of, and praying for such grace as they shall see most needfull.