A10945:1996
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 as for them which will not mislike the counsel that is given them in §Cthis direction, if they could follow it:1 but they think the writer hereof to have wished better to other, then he can follow himself: let them yet weigh & take in good part his love to them herein, whatsoever it have profited himself: and yet though he will say nothing of himself, lest any should think of him otherwise then he seeth or knoweth to be in him, yet he can put them out of doubt, that this doctrine hath been received, and conscionably practised of some, even private Christians to their good contentation,2 and (as they are persuaded) to the plentiful recompense of their labour therein bestowed, even already: who yet have good hope, that the first attempting of it was, as the hardest to them, so the least gainful, in comparison of that which is to be §Dlooked for; and that the best is to come. And that the certain fruit, which they have reaped of the practising it, in such weak manner as they could attain unto, in respect of the uncertain profit and comfort, which they received of their uncertain serving of God, before they were acquainted with it; they confess (as they be able to judge) to have been very great. This I say for their better encouragement, into whose hands this book shall come, that they may not fear, that this is thrust forth at adventure amongst men, when no proof hath been taken, how it hath wrought upon any before.
Now as for them which will not mislike the counsell that is giuen them in §Cthis direction, if they could follow it:1 but they thinke the writer heereof to haue wished better to other, then he can follow himselfe: let them yet weigh & take in good part his loue to them herein, whatsoeuer it haue profited himselfe: and yet though he will say nothing of himselfe, lest any should thinke of him otherwise then he seeth or knoweth to be in him, yet he can put them out of doubt, that this doctrine hath beene receiued, and conscionably practised of some, euen priuate Christians to their good contentation,