A10945:1985
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.
CHAP. 8. Of the objection of weak Christians who cannot read: and another, of them that are troubled through some scriptures: and answer to both.
CHAP. 8. Of the obiection of weake Christians who cannot read: and another, of them that are troubled through some scriptures: and answere to both.
1IF ye will ask, what they shall do, which cannot read, and therefore can neither enjoy the benefit of this nor such other helps, in any such ample manner as others may: I answer, that they must needs fare the worse for want of that gift, (although I could wish that many which can read, used it more oft, and in purer and more reverent manner then they do.2) But if they be such as are to be §Hcounselled, they must (as they are able) provide, that they may with more diligence giving both to preaching, and hearing other read, and prayer, supply that want of theirs, as far as may be; and if they cannot hope for to obtain a gift of praying according to their necessities, then to learn some form of prayer, as well in respect of the shortness thereof fit for their memory, as in regard of the matter, meetest for their estate and condition, as it shall be ordinarily and for the most part: and when it alters by reason of some affliction or otherwise, then to learn to pray according to their present occasions and necessity. How unsavoury soever these things may seem to some, it shall be but to such as judge after the flesh, and like too well, & look too nearly to the examples §Iof them who neglect these duties very much or altogether, to follow them. And whereas they may object again perhaps, that they cannot bestow such labour upon these things: I say, these things are greater then they seem to make them: but for their labour, let it be such as may stand with their callings duly followed; but let them be teachable. But if a mean gain and commodity might be reaped by greater labour and more time bestowed of them, then the learning of prayers, or the attaining to the ability and gift of reading would require: I think that neither of them both would be counted hard to come by and attain to. In few words let them take this for an answer, that if they benefit not themselves by the public means by all possible diligence, also if