A10945:263
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.
Whiles I thought verily (said he) that I had faith,1 but yet held it not by the surest grounds, I thought of it sometimes, and was glad to think that I had it: holding my persuasion thereof, by such evidences as I had before enjoyed, rather then I could tell what sure warrant I had then of it: but I took no great pain to confirm it by daily meditating on the promises, neither bestowed any more diligence in and about that, then upon other duties. But §Bwhen I saw more clearly how gainful and beautiful a grace it is, and how I must live by it, having no less need of it, then of the air to breathe in: I sought more certain ground of it, and that with greater care then I had before: and since I knew that I had it by more, and those infallible arguments and testimonies, I could never be weary of looking to and increasing it (as I had learned how) but for some years space have done, and do every day nourish and strengthen it, and I recreate my self in thinking what benefit I have by it, until my gain thereby, and pleasure therein, do keep me there with delight, more then in all pastime; and the labour which I bestow about it, is so far from toil or wearisomeness, that it is my greatest solace: neither §Cdo I think or feel my self to be armed to the well going through the affairs of the day, before I have prepared my self thereto,2 by refreshing my soul, with considering Gods abundant love and favour towards me, and rest upon it as mine own. But when I have done it, I am (by good heed taking) cheerful, and in good estate, all the day after: and so I am (in reverence be it spoken) said he, persuaded, that I shall continue to do.
Whiles I thought verely (said he) that I had faith,1 but yet held it not by the surest grounds, I thought of it sometimes, and was glad to thinke that I had it: holding my perswasion thereof, by such euidences as I had before inioyed, rather then I could tell what sure warrant I had then of it: but I tooke no great paine to cōfirme it by daily meditating on the promises, neither bestowed any more diligence in and about that, then vppon other duties. But