A10945:235
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.
1But that I may not dwell upon this matter, who have purposed but in brief §Hmanner to show what a train of heavenly companions do attend upon this faith, and certainty of Gods eternal favour, and to leave the meditation of and upon it, to the reverent and devout reader: Another therefore is hearty and unfeigned love, in him (who feeleth this love of God shed into his heart) returned to him again. The which although in hollowness and hypocrisy, the most affirm boldly to be in them towards God, before they have found and felt themselves to be beloved of him; yet the Scripture teacheth us that it is far otherwise,2 seeing we have not loved him, but he hath loved us first. But when we see indeed what great things God hath done for us, from what dreadful bondage he hath delivered us, unto the which in all our life we were in danger,§I and to what gracious liberties and privileges he hath restored us, by forgiving us all our sins; then we see just cause to say with the Prophet: I love the Lord, 3because he hath done so great good things for my soul: and with the woman to be thus affected, that seeing many sins are forgiven us, therefore we must needs love much. So that although before this we were lovers of pleasures, more then lovers of God, as others are: yet now that we know Gods bountifulness towards us, and the vanity of our fond delights, we have our harts more set upon God, then upon the best pleasures which we enjoy.
1But that I may not dwell vpon this matter, who haue purposed but in brief §Hmanner to shew what a traine of heauenly companions do attend vpon this faith, and certaintie of Gods eternall fauour, and to leaue the meditation of and vpon it, to the reuerent and deuout reader: Another therefore is heartie and vnfained loue, in him (who feeleth this loue of God shed into his heart) returned to him againe. The which although in hollownes and hypocrisie, the most affirme boldly to be in them towards God, before they haue found and felt themselues to be beloued of him; yet the Scripture teacheth vs that it is farre otherwise,