A10945:313
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.
It is not without cause therefore, that Solomon saith, there are seven abominations in the heart, 1that is many. And Jeremiah in like manner affirmeth, that the heart of man is deceitful and deep above all things: who can gauge or search it out? Even I the Lord (saith God) am the searcher or finder out of it. Therefore also our Saviour to set out the nature of the heart, saith: Out of the heart come evil thoughts, 2murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, slanders. Must it not then needs be a filthy sinkhole, out of which so unsavoury stinks do arise? So that it may truly be said, the heart of man is evil above measure: and in the kinds thereof, in number as the sparkles that come out of the furnace; and as the sand of the sea shore, which is innumerable. And what should I §Isay more? The time would be too short to proceed further, and I shall have occasion, in another place, to speak of the same. But by the way, this is worthily to be lamented, that where the Scripture is so plentiful in describing and setting out of the manifold and foul defilements of the heart, that men are so blind in understanding them; and see so little, when the holy Ghost betrayeth so much. And hereof it is, that they fear so little danger, and suspect so little hurt to be coming towards them thereby, in the middest of so great and just cause to fear and suspect both. For who is merrier or more secure, than he that hath most sin in his heart to witness against him? Which being so, who doth not see that such a draft-house is to be emptied, and that §Kmuch grace and water of life had need to be poured in, to sweeten and season it, before it be fit to be employed to good use, and to be made a temple for the holy Ghost to dwell in, and a good treasury, that out of it, a good man may bring forth good things? Yea, an admirable thing it is, that it should ever be brought to good.
It is not without cause therefore, that Salomon saith, there are seuen abominations in the heart, 1that is many. And Ieremy in like manner affirmeth, that the heart of man is deceitfull and deepe aboue all things: who can gage or search it out? Euen I the Lord (saith God) am the searcher or finder out of it. Therefore also our Sauiour to set out the nature of the heart, saith: Out of the heart come euill thoughts,