A10945:20
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.
To the Christian Reader.
Christian Reader, I am constrained in commending this spiritual blessing unto thee, to begin with the excuse of a good deed. For although it be a good deed to commend this commendable work, yet must I plead the pardon of my defectiveness in doing it, by alleging my calling thereto; and implead the fulsomeness of the maligners of such holy enterprises, who for the most part distaste all things but vanity.1 The ear (saith Elihu) trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat, to wit, if the ear be truly spiritual; otherwise there is an uncircumcised ear,2 where there is an uncircumcised heart: and he that hath an unmortified ear, which is an affection to carnal eloquence, cannot escape a reprobate sense in judging of the wisdom of God. An itching ear requireth a clawing stile, and the most readers seek after that which this treatise purposely escheweth. But wisdom will be justified of her children, and the godly hearted will lay that unlooked for imputation upon affectation of brave words, which the holy Ghost layeth upon women's bravery, mentioned in the 3. of Isaiah, which soon after in the 4. chap. vers. 4. by passage of speech he calleth the filthiness of the daughters of Zion. Something I grant may be yielded by way of indulgence to the weak; but he that seriously seeketh the Lord, will not be offended nor cloyed with that simplicity, which offendeth not God by turning away the mind by trifles from a bent purpose of sound edification.
CHristian Reader, I am constrained in commending this spirituall blessing vnto thee, to begin with the excuse of a good deed. For although it be a good deede to commend this commendable worke, yet must I plead the pardon of my defectiuenes in doing it, by alleaging my calling thereto; and impleade the fulsomnes of the maligners of such holy enterprises, who for the most part distast all things but vanitie.