A10945:1761
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.
By this that hath been said, it may without any difficulty be gathered, what great liberties the true Christian hath given him of God. But seeing such as have not experience of that which I say, do hardly think it to be true, it shall be necessary for such to know another thing; and that is this: That God hath made such a way to the performing of all this that I have spoken of,1 that he showeth us, how this may be done with delight (which, we know, putteth away tediousness:) both the practising of the Christian life which I spake of before, and the renouncing of the contrary sins which I now speak of.§I And this maketh both the branches of this privilege to be of exceeding value and excellency:2 that whereas godliness is so unsavoury, yea wearisome to the most, yea even unto many such as will talk much of it, and preach it also; in the mean while, this should be enjoyed of any by the grace and goodness of God: That they may turn from their old sins; and contrarily, serve him with delight. And that the true Christian may rejoice in the doing of the will of God:3 our Saviour Christ, who in all obedience to the commandments was willing to be an example to us, professing to his disciples that it was his meat and drink to do his fathers will, taught us also who are his members and one with him, that we should endeavour after the same, and may §Kobtain to make it our meat and drink to do that which is pleasing to God. And although I am not ignorant, that we cannot have the fullness of rejoicing in doing good duties: yet if there were not much granted unto us in that behalf,4 (for all our strength of sin that remaineth in us) the Lord would not have said, that he hath made his yoke, that is, obedience to his word, easy for us, and his burden (as the flesh counteth it) to be gentle and light to us. ⟨p. 507⟩§AWhich Saint John interpreting showeth how; saying: