A10945:201
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.
And first whereas some may marvel, that I in the describing of Gods children, have not rested in these as infallible marks thereof, namely, 1. sorrow for their misery, 2. confession of their sins to God, 3. fear of his displeasure for the same, and 4. desiring some kind of amendment of life; seeing they are also in them, who are effectually called of God: I answer, I have followed the Scripture herein, and that I have in showing who are the §BLords, made mention, rather of those graces of God, which are properly belonging to the faithful, then of them, which may be in hypocrites, and hollow hearted professors. Seeing we find both by Scripture and experience, that these forenamed affections, and many good and commendable virtues (as they seem to be) may have place in those which do not appertain to Gods election: For a man may be much burdened with the weight of his sin, his conscience terrified by the spirit of bondage;1 he may be pensive afterward for his sin committed, and wish it were undone, afraid for the punishment, and may promise amendment, and walk heavily, and express it by outward signs: and yet not released, nor set free from that which he §Cfeareth. So the same person, by the hearing of the promises of the Gospel, may find joy, and delight in the glorious tidings, which it bringeth: and take sensible pleasure in the exercises of religion:2 He may have a taste of the life to come, as Balaam; he may reverence and fear the Ministers of God, as Herod, 3and begin to amend some faults in his life, as he and others, of whom we read in the Gospel did; and yet for all this (though fearful to think of) not sealed up to salvation: even thus far a man may go in the profession of Christian religion; and yet a stranger from the power of faith, from the life of godliness, and from that, which accompanieth both; I mean, a good and peaceable conscience.
And first whereas some may maruaile, that I in the describing of Gods children, haue not rested in these as infallible markes thereof, namely, 1. sorrow for their miserie, 2. confession of their sinnes to God, 3. feare of his displeasure for the same, and 4. desiring some kinde of amendment of life; seeing they are also in them, who are effectuallie called of God: I answere, I haue followed the Scripture herein, and that I haue in shewing who are the