A10945:316
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.
The next thing is, how this is done; and how it cometh to pass, that men after they have received the grace of justifying faith, do find and perceive in themselves such an alteration from that which was before? even as if a benumbing cold should be on the sudden turned into a glowing and burning heat. I say, this is the proper and wonderful work of God:1 who mortifying our worldly lusts and evil desires in us by his holy spirit, doth reform ⟨p. 90⟩us, and create this holiness and sanctification in us. He it is, S. Luke saith,§F that purifieth our hearts. 2He kindleth good affections, and subdueth the contrary in us. There is no other besides him in heaven, who can work it: much less on earth that can set his hand to it. Which if that man of sin had duly considered, he would not have arrogated to himself a greater work then it, (which also is inseparable from it) namely, the authority of forgiving sins. The Lord (I say) by his holy spirit, it is, who stirreth up in our hearts godly motions and good desires: namely, of knowledge, good government, fear of him, communion with him and his people, the desire of spiritual rejoicing, and strength against infernal foes, and such like: which good affections when they be kindled in us, he suffereth not to vanish away, but teacheth us §Gto feed and nourish them by reading, meditation, & prayer. And the spirit of the Lord which raiseth up and worketh in us these holy affections, is therefore described by these most excellent titles: for it is called the spirit of wisdom, strength, 3fear of the Lord, &c.
The next thing is, how this is done; and how it commeth to passe, that men after they haue receiued the grace of iustifying faith, doe finde and perceiue in themselues such an alteration from that which was before? euen as if a benumming colde should be on the suddaine turned into a glowing and burning heate. I say, this is the proper and wonderfull worke of God: