A10945:29
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.
1To these (I say) who have set themselves in a full, and resolute purpose to pass their days godly in the midst of many encumbrances, and to walk with the Lord, so far as of frail flesh may be obtained (how weak so ever in their own persuasions) to these (I say) I desire in this treatise of mine to be some help and assistance, and to speak plainly, that such as would fain do well,2 and yet cannot tell how, may hereby be eased and relieved. And if any (who yet are in superstition,3 hypocrisy, profaneness, or as yet in darkness) desire to be partakers thereof also, and so to like of that advice and instruction, which is written for the believers, that they be willing to depart from the wicked, crooked, and cursed way, which they have walked in: I should be so far from envying them this blessing, that (although this was not set out directly for them) yet they may understand, that with such a willing mind, as I have undertaken this work for their good who are in Christ already; with the like, I am ready to further and help forward them, who think and know themselves as yet to be strangers from Christ altogether; and to rejoice, if I might understand, that they have been moved hereby with their brethren, to become the true disciples of Christ.4 Indeed I have not laboured so much, to persuade these to return from their misery, and to become penitent, because many both examples of the like, and reasons to move them, are plentifully, plainly, and in good order, extant among them already; and for that I know, that for the most part, they profit not by our writing, who do not before regard and take good by our preaching: and yet they shall have my best advice in the end.
1To these (I say) who haue set themselues in a full, and resolute purpose to passe their daies godly in the midst of many encombrances, and to walke with the Lord, so far as of fraile flesh may be obtained (how weake so euer in their owne perswasions) to these (I say) I desire in this treatise of mine to be some helpe and assistance, and to speake plainely, that such as would faine doe well,2