A10945:1713
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.
Moreover, howsoever this endeavouring after a godly life,1 hath ever of the ⟨image 261⟩world been little regarded; yet the happiest and men of greatest commendation §Ffor godliness, have always preferred it, and made it as the flower of their garland, and the crown of their rejoicing: we have a cloud of witnesses, and not all in one age, who have walked with God, even from Enoch and thereabout to this day, who testified this daily looking to their lives, to be the best thing of all. Now if by these and such like persuasions we be brought to like of it,2 we faithfully covenanted with our selves to use these remedies which have been set down for continuance, and to make our beginnings sound and substantial; so as they may be able to bear and uphold the weight of all that shall press them down. For although our temptations be strong and many, yet may none of them prevail thus far, as to make us §Gbreak off this our happy covenant: for if we be not strongly armed against this, we shall easily find that hinderances enough will arise, which will quickly weaken the power of our best purposes, and frustrate all that we have taken in hand. Here will inward lets come in our way; and those, of many sorts: as, to think it more then needeth to live thus: also that many who are godly, do not thus: the inordinate love of some special sin may withhold us: and much dullness, unprofitableness and rebellion, may make us utterly unable to hold forth this course. Many outward discouragements also and hinderances will be ready here to stand in our way; as household troubles, and disquietness by them, disorder in servants and children, untowardness and ill §Hsuccess in business, want of blessing sometimes where it was hoped for, losses, &c. also much toiling & occupying our selves about these things below, with neglect of our heavenly and christian calling. These are some of a great number, and the commonest whereby holy duties do most easily grow out of place and use with us. Let this rule therefore (said we) be well regarded of us, and that which followeth shall be the easier: for many loathsome wearinesses will in short time arise, which (if it be possible) will break us off from this enterprise.