A10945:299
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.
1I said that this believing which I speak of, is not much laid open in public teaching, but only this (which is the effect of it) that we ought to be obedient to the word of God: and therefore it is, that the forwarder sort of good hearers (except some few,2 who have been throughly made acquainted with it, and exercised in it by long experience) do little see into it: namely, that they may undoubtedly be persuaded, that God will make them able to obey his will, as they are fit to reach unto it: and that he hath promised, if they once §Gcome to know that they are beloved of him, that he will afterwards be with them (to quicken their will, and draw their affections, and strengthen them to do their duties:3) as it was said by the Angel to Mary, Hail, thou that art freely beloved, the Lord is with thee. Many of Gods dear children, when they are somewhat stayed about the assurance of their salvation, after that they have been long labouring about it, and then come to hear that they must lead new lives; many of them (I say) are willing to go about it: but they are much discouraged, because they see not how they shall be able. And least any should object,4 that Paul himself was so troubled, who said, To will, is present with me; 5but I find no means to perform that which is good: I answer, he §Hcomplained not of that which I do;6 that is, that he had no hope in God, nor no promise of strength from him to perform: for he said the contrary in sundry places.7 I am able to do all things through the help of Christ which strengtheneth me. And again, I live no longer, but Christ in me: but he complained, that for all the hope of help that he had, yet the rebellion of his flesh, and nature that was unreformed, did mightily resist him. And this hinderance he had, and we all shall have while we live. But what is that to this, that besides this rebellion of the old man, they have this also to hinder them: that they cannot tell, whether they shall have strength to make them able, or no: nor whether God have given them any promise, that their burden shall be