A10945:1868
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.
But I confess I am glad to know this privilege for mine own comfort,1 and to speak of it to the stirring up of many my good brethren in this cold §Eand frozen age: that we may take some trial of our selves, what part we have in this so great a prerogative, which we may enjoy aswell as any other. And as well for their just rebuke I speak it, who think it madness for men to contend and strive to go before others in godliness, faith and the fruits thereof, (though we are commanded to excel one another:2) as also to awaken them who having made good and commendable beginnings long agone, yet have taken discouragement from making answerable proceedings, although it be ⟨p. 546⟩written:3 Let thy profiting be seen of all. And I deny not, but that the devil §Fraiseth occasions enough of fainting, sloth, deadness of spirit, of earthly mindedness, neglecting of means, &c. in such as have well begun in a Christian life:4 but (God be thanked) they are not least unfurnished, nor unprovided of all helps against the same, if they were acquainted with the will of God but as they might be. Such therefore as see themselves faulty and weak this way, let them learn of them which have better experience in the ways of God than themselves, and which do more cheerfully go before them: that they by their example may more soundly and constantly go forward. For why should it not be with the Lords plants in his orchard, as it is in an husbandmans?§G that as grafts and plants being set in good ground do spread their branches and shoot forth their boughs apparently in a few years: so might the Lords plants do?
But I confesse I am glad to know this priuiledge for mine owne comfort,1