A10945:315
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.
And although this new change be not such, as that it is able to bear down all the old corruption, that reigned in him sometime, and to entertain holy things only: yet it is a mighty alteration, that goodness hath any place in him in truth, which was before so far from him, and sin and evil hunted out §Cin will, and desire, which alone bare sway before.1 For there is (without question) the first fruit of the spirit, which will afterwards bring forth an increase of the same for continuance: which work of grace and sanctification (if he in whom it is wrought should not live to show forth any further fruit of it) is an infallible mark of Gods election and love towards him, and can no more be in a reprobate, then light can be in the belly and bowels of the earth. But if any will demand, what becometh of this grace in time;2 because it is too clear, that it is not only dimmed, but even choked also in many, in whom it began to shine and give light: such must understand, that God doth strengthen and continue this grace of holiness and sanctification, §Das it is nourished, esteemed, and set by; and as men do stir it up in themselves by asking after it, when they miss it, and provoke themselves to pray for such good affections, and cannot be satisfied without them. As David did often, sometime one way, and sometime another: Why art thou heavy, O my soul, 3and why art thou so disquieted within me? Also,4 praise thou the Lord (O my soul) and all that is within thee, praise his holy name. And thus, and by the like means, we shall cherish our sparkles, which (as the fire is blown up with bellows) shall not ordinarily fail us, not be extinguished in us, especially for any long time, (except in time of temptation, or when melancholy oppresseth us) unless through our default and folly. Thus understand what it is,5 to have the heart §E