A10945:176
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
Treatise 1 › Chapter 7: What desire breeds faith.Treatise 1 › Chapter 7: What desire breedes faith.
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 this is the way to believe in God indeed, though we see him not, that by this our confidence in him, we may have joy and peace. And because this faith is counted far more precious then all worldly wealth: therefore he who thus accounteth of it, will set himself to seek it willingly and readily,1 as I said before. And therefore as the word teacheth him, he will have his heart upon the promises of God, because they are his treasure, musing on them, until he hath all difficulties and doubts of any moment, removed from him,2 which God for his part will not be unwilling to grant. And in his meditation he shall see that he is not more desirous to believe, then God is that §Ghe should so do: he seeth that God, for his greater assurance of it, doth through love entreat him:3 of friendship counselleth him, and of his authority being able to perform, commandeth him to believe: as if he would hereby show that none hath authority to hinder or forbid the same: He seeth further, that as he may receive this promise, having so strong encouragement, so he can no otherwise be saved, nor happy. All this he seeing, and weighing deeply, beginneth to stay himself, and to lay faster and surer hold on eternal life: and seeth that it cannot otherwise be, but that he should be saved, how far soever he was from this persuasion before. And now he beginneth to conclude with himself, that he is delivered indeed from all fear §Hof hell, and the devil: for hereby his heart is more humbled and meekened to be subject to the will and government of God, without which, this faith is not attained. To whom this counsel yet is to be given (though he be come to such great preferment) that after he hath by the forementioned means gotten this faith and confidence, that he beware of all occasions which may darken or put out the light of it: As that he be not too bold to reason and question against himself for yielding to this truth lately received, and believed of him, before he be well grounded, and have gotten some experience, but follow his rule that guideth him:4