A10945:1987
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.
Some (to draw towards an end) say: nothing troubleth them so much ⟨p. 587⟩§Ain all that I have said, as the urging of these speeches:1 All the day long we must meditate on the law: and pass the whole time of our dwelling here in fear: Also, Whatsoever we do, eat or drink, &c. And, Take heed, lest at any time there be in any of you an evil heart, and unfaithful, to depart away from the living God. These and such like places they confess, (in their judgement) are urged too sore, and they could else be content with all their hearts to glorify God sometime, and in some parts of their lives as they are able: but what comfort shall it be (say they) when we have done what we can, to think yet, that God is never the more pleased with us; because we know we have omitted §Bmany things which we ought to have done, and committed the contrary? I answer: The sense of the places I cannot alter; and yet I will not leave them still in their doubt and perplexity: but for their further satisfying, I will not refuse to unfold them more clearly, and help them to some stay and resolution. And first let them be persuaded of this, that there is nothing in these or any such like scriptures, which may justly dismay him that seeketh the Lord in trueth; neither is any lawful liberty hereby denied to a Christian in such benefits, as God hath left unto him to be enjoyed: only unto the flesh,2 whereto we are not debtors, are we commanded to bid battle, and that so far as of us frail men (but yet endued with Gods spirit) may be performed. Yet §Cmore particularly to speak to them, I dissemble not my meaning plainly to be this: that if any time of the day, or part of our life, we think we may take any liberty to evil and sin, (no not then when we have before been best occupied;3 for after such times commonly do men most give themselves the bridle:) this cannot be done without manifest contempt of these scriptures, & consequently of the majesty of God, who knowing what is best for us, hath thought good thus to direct us. And yet (alas) how common this is in many which go for good Christians, we may see with grief: who as though God had given them some times to offend in, and some liberties which in his word are condemned, (which were to make him say and unsay: