A10945:1870
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.
For to what end are all those goodly things revealed in the Scriptures: How we may grow from faith to faith,1 and from grace to grace; and that such as are aged and well grown, should have their inward senses of their minds exercised to discern good and evil; and that we should, whatsoever we have attained unto more than others,2 yet seek to increase daily more and more? To what end (I say) are such Scriptures and many other of like sort? Are they not written for our instruction and edifying?3 Or else, do we think that they should lie by us unknown, and we not to meddle with them? Which if we will not §Iaffirm, (as indeed no wise or well advised person will) why should we not look to thrive and prosper in our spiritual husbandry, and that with much more assurance than in the earthly (wherein yet many thousands do exceedingly increase;4) and the rather, for that our gain and the blessing of God is far more certain in that, than in the other? Why (I say) should not we of the ministry first and principally; and then the several congregations and people which are taught and guided by us,5 not only shine as lights in the dark world, but daily more and more, as the morning light doth unto the perfect day? And to be so far beyond our first beginnings in loving and obeying that which we know, that as we were then ready and forward in a little (when §Kwe knew no more:) so we may now give occasion to many to praise God for us, whiles they see the same readiness and forwardness to continue in us, as our knowledge is increased? And as we were then careful over other for the good of their souls: so why should we not be still of the same mind, exhorting one another daily with comfort, & provoking to love & to good works, and not neglect that duty for the care of our bodies and wealth? The which I ⟨p. 547⟩