A10945:27
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.
IN so great variety of all learning, as God hath furnished this age withal, it were not only needless, but arrogance and folly, for me to put any in hope, that I go about to teach that, which hath not been taught, and set forth already by godly and learned brethren. But yet, least any should think my labour vain, in that which I enterprise, I would all such might understand, that howsoever I shall bring no other thing, then some have, in general, or in some part heretofore published; yet they shall not be glutted with the same thing in particular, whether they respect the treatise and argument it self, or the manner of following and prosecuting the same. At leastwise, I may say, that there hath not come to my hand any book directly tending to this end, which I propound here in the seven Treatises following, to help the frailty of Gods children, and namely, by setting before their eyes as in a glass, the infinite, secret, and deceitful corruptions of the heart: from whence (without a gracious regarding of the same) sore and dangerous evils do arise and break out in their life. Neither have I seen any treatise, and direction particularly drawn and gathered for mens lives to govern and order them, which tieth them to daily use of the same throughout their whole course: of both which my purpose is most chiefly,1 as well faithfully as lovingly, to entreat, and to aide my poor neighbours and brethren, with that which I have gathered by reading, and noted by experience, if by any means I may be able hereby, to make the Christian way any thing more easy and pleasant unto them, then many find it: and to bring it into more price, then the most do value it at.
IN so great varietie of all learning, as God hath furnished this age withall, it were not onely needlesse, but arrogancie and follie, for me to put any in hope, that I goe about to teach that, which hath not been taught, and set foorth alreadie by godly and learned brethren. But yet, least any should thinke my labour vaine, in that which I enterprise, I would all such might vnderstand, that howsoeuer I shall bring no other thing, then some haue, in generall, or in some part heretofore published; yet they shall not be glutted with the same thing in particular, whether they respect the treatise and argument it selfe, or the manner of following and prosecuting the same. At leastwise, I may say, that there hath not come to my hand any booke directly tending to this end, which I propound here in the seauen Treatises following, to helpe the frailtie of Gods children, and namely, by setting before their eies as in a glasse, the infinite, secret, and deceitfull corruptions of the heart: from whence (without a gracious regarding of the same) sore and dangerous euils doe arise and breake out in their life. Neither haue I seene any treatise, and direction particularly drawne and gathered for mens liues to gouerne and order them, which tieth them to daily vse of the same throughout their whole course: of both which my purpose is most chiefly,