A10945:318
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.
I speak now but of the beginning of a Christians change, when he can §Idiscern no more in himself then this, namely, that he hath with faith unfeigned, an heart sanctified, and purified from his natural corruption and wicked disposition. And without regard of the fruit hereof, even the whole work of Christianity, which shall follow this happy beginning (then the which, he desireth and longeth after nothing more) the weak Christian, that hath his part in this, thinks himself, even for this exceedingly indebted to God. True it is, that no man is to stay and abide in this estate, but is to proceed further, even to repentance, which cometh from it; as hereafter shall be seen.1 But yet seeing the cleansing & purging of the hart, at the first conversion of a sinner, is a distinct work of the spirit, and in man but the beginning §Kof all the work of Christianity, which shall follow it; I would not pass it over in silence: and the rather I say so, because it is but darkly and confusedly seen into and discerned. And although it be but as the grain of Mustard seed, in comparison of the tree it self, to the full growth and perfect age in Christ: yet is it in possibility, nay in certain and sure hope, even the same, and already of the nature of it; and therefore hath part of the reward also. And ⟨p. 91⟩§Anow it tarrieth but for further building up in knowledge and grace, that so it may appear to other, as it is in it self, the estate of a regenerate person, and new borne unto God.
I speake now but of the beginning of a Christians change, when hee can §Idiscerne no more in himselfe then this, namely, that hee hath with faith vnfained, an heart sanctified, and purified from his naturall corruption and wicked disposition. And without regard of the fruite hereof, euen the whole worke of Christianitie, which shall follow this happie beginning (then the which, he desireth and longeth after nothing more) the weake Christian, that hath his part in this, thinkes himselfe, euen for this exceedingly indebted to God. True it is, that no man is to stay and abide in this estate, but is to proceede further, euen to repentance, which commeth from it; as hereafter shal be seene.