A10945:1922
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 whiles I set down this, me thinks I hear some objecting thus:1 How can we be persuaded that God hath provided this liberty for his in this world,2 when both Scripture calleth our life here (when we be in greatest prosperity) a wandering up and down heavily, as in a pilgrimage or wilderness? and a sowing in tears, that is to say, full of grief? and Christ telleth his, that in the world they shall find tribulation, and that by many afflictions and persecutions we must enter into his kingdom? And experience also teacheth, that these ⟨p. 566⟩things are even so?3 To the which I answer, affirming all that is said to be most §Ftrue: and therefore seeing our troubles and sorrows are many and great, through the devils malice, whiles we seek to keep our selves unstained in this wretched world, we have the more need of the greater comfort: neither were it possible for any godly man to go through them, if he were not fully resolved, that God is with him to help him, and comfort his soul many ways,4 and namely in this, wherein he feeleth his need greatest. And therefore these afflictions which our gracious God hath appointed and promised to bring us through, are a most sure proof of this which I say: namely, that he hath given most precious promises and prerogatives to us, by the which only §Gwe can be able to go under them. For all of us must needs faint, if we did not confidently believe, that he settleth our hearts in most sound joy and gladness; partly by the testimony of a good conscience, which is a continual feast, and an experience of his fatherly love towards us; and partly through the daily success and blessing which we look for from him, the hope whereof maketh us not ashamed.
But whiles I set downe this, me thinkes I heare some obiecting thus: