A10945:192
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.
And this be spoken of the devils tempting the children of God (when, and whom it pleaseth the Lord for their trial) and that without the help of outward means, or any occasions to work by: the which I purposed to §Hspeak of to no further end, but for the help of such as are sometimes deceived, and so oppressed after the same manner. Here is no fit place to satisfy them who would be glad to know more of this matter.
And this be spoken of the diuels tempting the children of God (when, and whom it pleaseth the Lord for their triall) and that without the helpe of outward meanes, or any occasions to worke by: the which I purposed to §Hspeake of to no further end, but for the helpe of such as are sometimes deceiued, and so oppressed after the same manner. Here is no fit place to satisfie them who would be glad to know more of this matter.
To proceed therefore, and so to draw to an end herein: As he doth oft without any means, deeply fasten upon the weak consciences of Gods people, to fear and dismay them; so doth he the same much more easily by the help of outward means: so that, when he hath covered their hearts with darkness, and brought them into a dreadful fear of Gods wrath; and plucked their armour from them,1 whereby before they had resisted him, he holdeth them at this vantage, that every thing which is before them, is made §Imatter to increase their distressed estate. And therefore if they see a knife, all their thoughts are to destroy themselves; if they go by water, they are vehemently persuaded to drown themselves; and so are they tempted to strangle themselves, if either the place give them any occasion, or the instrument wherewith they should do it. So if they see any merry, their heaviness is the more increased, seeing (say they) we shall never come out of deadly sorrow and despair: if they see a dog, they wish that they were so: when they should eat their meat, they think it will increase their damnation; and dare scarcely take the meanest scraps to relieve nature: And if any Scripture be recited to them;