A10945:253
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.
Some of these and such like are oft to be thought on, and applied, as I have said, if we desire to keep in the safe estate, which I have spoken of; that is to come to God in prayer when we will, with boldness and confidence: and yet when we do not pray, not to be afraid of him, but to walk in any of our actions without slavish fear before him. And if we do not thus, we shall by §Gand by waver & wander either on the left hand or on the right, 1& go out of the royal way; even that way of which the Prophet speaketh, when he saith: Thou upholdest me in mine integrity, & settest me before thy face continually. As if he should say,2 3thou wilt see that I take no hurt, being ever in thine eye, as the child in the mothers eye, that it may have no danger. I say, in this royal way we shall not keep safe and sound, except we do (as men dim of sight, use of spectacles) help our spiritual eye sight with oft looking in the glass of Gods word and promises: which I say not, as though God did change his mind so oft (seeing there be so many doubts in us) who is ever one and constant; but for that we have riven memories, wandering affections, and deceitful §Hhearts, in all which respects we have need of such help and remedy. And if it trouble any at the hearing of this, asking, what shall the weak do, who cannot do thus? I answer, they that know not this, cannot do it: but yet is not their estate therefore to be rested in, no although they fear God; only let them follow that which they know: and they who know this, which I now teach, will neglect nothing willingly of that which I say, though they be weak; for it is their own gain and advantage, which they would not lose: yet I mean not that they should neglect their particular calling for all this, seeing both may well, yea and ought stand together. Thus therefore let Gods children keep themselves from fear and doubting, when they are in greatest §Idanger of both, by an oft and serious weighing, how gracious and good the Lord is unto them, that it may comfort them even at the heart. And for a testimony hereof, let them use to try in smaller benefits, how they can believe that God will keep covenant with them; for thereby shall they have further proof, with the former, to their consciences, that they grow to believe him in greater.