A10945:1941
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 to speak plainly, (if it be expedient to speak thus: for the love of Gods people constraineth me) I have my self languished long,1 (though not §Gwithout Christ in the world, and therefore not altogether without flitting comfort) sometimes to see such unsettledness in my life, such uncertainty in my ways, so oft proposing greater proceeding and more constancy in that which is good, more exercise of my faith in prayer, oftener rejoicing in the Lord for the privileges which he hath granted to us. Many years these and such like have been my desire, and longed after: but many alterations, disappointments, unsettlings of mind have come, with no small heaviness accompanying the same; until woeful experience drave me to tie up mine affections shorter, and for better stay of my self, to draw somewhat according to my small knowledge and experience out of my reading, to be a more certain §Hmanner of direction for me through the day and week, which I may aim at: and if not so full and perfect, as it might be, and by some other might have been penned; at the least, such it is as Gods word doth lay out unto us, and such as if men were as fit to profit by it, as it is fit to do them good, it should not be as it is with many well disposed christians. By the which whatsoever I have attained unto, I will not say, but I dare warrant the careful and faithful observer of it (the Lord being true of his word,2 who blesseth the means, which are used in simplicity) that his labour in the practise of it, shall be plentifully recompensed, yea his gain by many degrees shall be greater then his travel. This I say now, seeing by the importunity of many I have made it common to §Iothers which I collected and gathered for mine own use: and therefore I may be bold also to say, that whiles men do serve God with some care, & being called home to repentance, do desire to set forth his glory, yet when they shall not propound to themselves for this purpose, some certain course daily to walk in, but go on uncertainly, that is, one day giving themselves carefully to good duties, but an other day neglecting them, and following the occasions thereof rather then resolutely armed against the same;