A10945:28
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 few words, this is that which I aim at, that such as have tasted how good the Lord is, and have felt the power of the life to come, by any work of faith and Christian life, which they have obtained by the preaching of the Gospel, may after that, see their wants, their infirmities, their corruptions, rebellions, hindrances, & other discouragements, from that blessed estate whereinto ⟨image 6⟩they are entered: and how they may every day in the best manner, remedy, or at least wise weaken and diminish them, and that they may also behold their liberties and prerogatives, which they have by Christ: as the certainty of Gods love, deliverance from the fear of the great and evil day, peace and comfort through faith, and the blessedness of such an estate, and daily enjoy the same. And therefore, not to be as men that have no such privileges, either cast down with needless fear, or possessed with an earthly or vain rejoicing, or destitute of encouragement to walk forward in an heavenly course:1 But that they may be merry in the Lord, and yet without lightness; sad and heavy in heart for their own sins, and the abominations of the land, and yet without discouragement, or dumpishness: resting and believing in God, without bold presumption, and fearing their own weakness, but yet without dreadful and deadly despairing. And that thus the Christian man, and he who is faithful indeed, may so carry himself in his course, as he may have no thought or purpose to revolt and turn from this hope which is set before him, but be persuaded that he is infinitely encouraged, to hold out constantly therein, against all that might come in his way to the contrary. And that the ungodly may see how such are blessed in comparison of other, and what they themselves go void of which they might enjoy,2 and therefore may seek how to become not almost, but altogether Christians with them.
In few words, this is that which I aime at, that such as haue tasted how good the Lord is, and haue felt the power of the life to come, by any worke of faith and Christian life, which they haue obtained by the preaching of the Gospell, may after that, see their wants, their infirmities, their corruptions, rebellions, hindrances, & other discouragements, from that blessed estate wherinto ⟨image 6⟩