A10945:208
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.
But no marvel, for many are the sleights, by the which the devil keepeth his possession in such, as are not yet escaped his wiles and snares, in the which he holdeth them; not without their own good liking. He discourageth some from hope and confidence, that they are the Lords; because they have been more deeply pricked for their sin, and longer holden in doubtfulness, then other of Gods children are; and that §Knone have so great temptations and conflicts, as they have: But have not they these afflictions to bring them unto God?1 And others he dismayeth, and holdeth under with the contrary: as that they cannot be Gods children, because they have never had that deep sorrow, and long lying in it, for their sin, as many of their brethren have had: As though mens examples, and not rather Gods word should be their rule to follow. So he suggesteth this to ⟨p. 49⟩§Asome others, that their estate could not be good, seeing they have not had their lives full of some outward crosses, as some of the godly have: and yet on the contrary, many have been long holden captives with these cogitations, that they durst not think themselves to belong to Gods election,2 seeing they are every while under one cross or other. Thus the devil (whose malice and subtlety few do know, fewer do well weigh, but fewest of all do wisely and carefully resist) the devil, I say, holdeth numbers occupied about these and such like points: wherein the trial of their happiness, and certainty of their peace doth not consist. And because religion and holy doctrine doth affect them, and that he seeth they will needs embrace the §Bsame, he laboureth to keep them at this stay, to hold themselves contented with that shadow, though they be uncertain of their estate to Godward, and remain in suspense and little hope of their salvation: and so he permitteth them to have the letter of the Scripture in their mouth, and to talk generally about religion, or (if occasion be offered) about some questions,3 and matters concerning the same; but they hate utterly to be reformed. Who seeth not that he holdeth these in error and bondage, as grossly as he doth the other before mentioned?