A10945:1999
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.
For as no man will say, there is no use of the Apothecaries shop to fetch thence roots and herbs for necessary use, because they grow in fields and gardens: so neither is the writing of particular treatises needless, although all necessary points of instruction are to be found in the Canonical Scriptures.
For as no man will say, there is no vse of the Apothecaries shoppe to fetch thence roots and hearbs for necessarie vse, because they grow in fields and gardens: so neither is the writing of particular treatises needlesse, although all necessarie points of instruction are to be found in the Canonicall Sciptures.
And as the sermons of many have been penned to good purpose,1 to help such as are well disposed; some directing particularly how to pray; some how to receive the holy communion; some how to fast, &c. so I have laboured in this treatise to direct men how to live in this present world, so as they may walk with God: even by bringing them from a general & confused thought of Christianity to a daily and particular care of godliness throughout their whole course. And seeing (as our Saviour saith) The light of the body is the eye; so the light of the whole life, is the effectual and powerful knowledge of Gods will, and a well ordered heart, and governing of the unruly affections: therefore I have herein declared how such knowledge must be sought, and §Cthe heart of a Christian be daily governed in the cogitations and desires of it, that they may draw the life in the several actions and parts thereof unto the obedience of Christ. Yet I deny not, but that men of experience, who have long accustomed themselves to the daily and true fear of God, may direct themselves better, then that such should need to tie themselves to these rules or such like of another mans drawing; who if they have learning, and do keep a daily observing of their ways and affections, shall be best able thereby to govern and guide themselves: of which sort, I wish there were many, who could help forward other, rather then stand in need of help themselves. But too few there are of them: for although many for their knowledge