A10945:311
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.
But (as I said) that men may not deceive themselves, who for the most part being ignorant about the heart, and the nature and properties of it, do think that they may live godly, whatsoever corruption doth infect the heart; it shall be requisite to know it better, and how all godliness is but fantasy §Dor hypocrisy, unto the heart be reformed and changed. We must have it cleansed and well seasoned, and afterwards kept so, that it may be no longer an enemy to us, or an hinderer of us, in any of our good actions: but contrarily, that by the help of it, we may daily go forward in well doing; at least by striving, or after a repulse, to return again. For this we are to know,1 that the heart of man before it be emptied, is a dungeon of iniquity: before it be enlightened, a den of darkness, before it be cleansed, a puddle of filthiness: and that which Saint James speaketh of the tongue, may much more be said of the heart, that before it be tamed, it is an unruly evil.2
But (as I sayd) that men may not deceiue themselues, who for the most part being ignorant about the heart, and the nature and properties of it, doe thinke that they may liue godlie, whatsoeuer corruption doth infect the heart; it shall be requisite to know it better, and how all godlinesse is but fantasie §Dor hypocrisie, vnto the heart be reformed and changed. We must haue it clensed and well seasoned, and afterwards kept so, that it may be no longer an enemie to vs, or an hinderer of vs, in any of our good actions: but contrarilie, that by the helpe of it, we may dailie goe forward in well doing; at least by striuing, or after a repulse, to returne againe. For this we are to know,1 that the heart of man before it be emptied, is a dungeon of iniquitie: before it be inlightened, a denne of darkenes, before it be clensed, a puddle of filthinesse: and that which Saint Iames speaketh of the tongue, may much more be said of the heart, that before it be tamed, it is an vnruly euill.2