A10945:1939
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.
Now if you ask,1 why they do not open their case and make their grief known to their teachers: I say, some of them are ashamed, some are afraid to show their estate to others, the devil holding them in ignorance and distrust. §DAgain, many of their ministers, to whom they may have access, either for want of knowledge, or of experience, or both, are not able; and others of ill conscience are not willing to resolve them, nor stay their minds, but wound and vex them with mocks & discouragements rather, (as the watchmen which Solomon speaketh of (calling them fools for meddling with the scriptures: and this is the comfort which they find at their hands. These things when I have weighed and thought upon, what light, ease of heart,2 and consolation many of Gods dear servants have been deprived off for want of direction, and how many of them have walked heavily and with hanging down of the head; and all because they have seen their frailty great, felt their wants many and grievous, §Eand utterly unable, by that which they had learned, to carry forward themselves in their Christian course by reason of their so many discouragements, and the same not provided against: I wished most earnestly that some such thing might come forth, as might settle men more firmly in a Christian estate, that such as are willing, may be able also to direct themselves in their daily carriage: which how greatly it may benefit them that have a mind to please God, and how much more fit it may make them to profit by the daily ⟨p. 572⟩teaching which is among them, (that I say nothing what good it may do others)§F it is no hard thing to judge and determine.
Now if you aske,1 why they doe not open their case and make their griefe knowen to their teachers: I say, some of them are ashamed, some are affraid to shew their estate to others, the diuell holding them in ignorance and distrust.