A10945:1790
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.
This doctrine where it is received, honoureth God highly,1 and causeth §6many thanks to be given to him, for that poor sinners see him so ready to forgive them, and that, so often and so many and great offences as they themselves durst not look for, or think that he would: and in that many who bare show that they are troubled for their sins sometime, do not magnify God ⟨p. 518⟩for this trueth and doctrine with all their might, it is because they are not they §Fwhom they would be taken to be, that is, sound-hearted. But then could it not be a privilege properly belonging to the children of God,2 if hard-hearted or double-minded persons might be partakers of it. But they labouring to shake off godly sorrow for their sin, and check of conscience, all that they can, and as long as they are able, by mirth and pastime or in continuance of time to forget it; if for all their shifting & fencing it off, the Lord sometime strike them with terror, and hold them under by strong hand, and cause them to quake: yet they do not seek his face, but either bow themselves only for a day like a bull-rush, as Ahab; or else they are swallowed up into utter despair, as §GJudas. Neither can such have any release at all. So much the greater favour let others (I mean, Gods servants) count it, that they may in their repentance for their sin, hope steadfastly for pardon; yea, and ought to say every one unto their souls:3 Turn unto thy rest, O my soul: for the Lord hath heard thy groans, and rejecteth not thy prayers. Why art thou cast down and disquieted within me? wait on God, he is my present help: for he is more ready to grant, than we to ask. For if the Son of God make them free,4 then are they free indeed. An exceeding privilege is this to them: and therefore who seeth not, that they resting thus persuaded, may be of good comfort?