A10945:1879
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 as great a benefit as it is, That they shall continue to the end;1 yet if the Lord would hide it from them, and keep them from the knowledge of it, it should be much lesser: and therefore this is further to be added, that they which know themselves to be the Lords; may also know, that they shall be preserved and kept safe against all adversary power of the devil and his instruments, and so persevere unto the end. For although it seem to be a mystery and a secret, that the determinate will and counsel of God concerning this matter should be known;2 yet it is a secret unto such only as lie in darkness & in the shadow of death, which through unbelief are not able to see into it because it §Eis a mystery: but the secret of the Lord is not hidden from his own servants, but shall in time be revealed unto them; whom because he calleth his friends, therefore he showeth them his will and mind in the most precious secrets which it is expedient for them to know. For by often hearing the doctrine of perseverance plainly preached unto them, God draweth their hearts to believe it: that as they hear the Lord will perfect the good work which he hath begun in his people, and withal do know themselves to be his people; so ⟨p. 550⟩they hold this in persuasion, though they see not how by any thing in themselves,3 §Fthat he will continue his favour towards them unto their end. For they which know that they shall have eternal life, must needs also know that they shall be kept by God in this present world from all power of the devil which might hinder them from it. But all believers may and ought to know, that they shall have eternal life,4 as Saint John teacheth: I write unto you that believe, that ye may know that ye have eternal life: therefore they may know, that they shall be kept to the end that they may also enjoy the same.