A10945:328
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.
1That which most troubleth the weak about this matter is, that this change of the heart, and renewing thereof, is so hardly seen, and so meanly felt within them; that they cannot satisfy themselves in wishing, and desiring to be more changed: And although before, their open gross faults did not accuse them, yet now their inward corruptions do disquiet them: now idle motions and vain thoughts, and fantasies much trouble them: in their praying,§H reading, and hearing, they cannot be rid of them: now they fear that they believe not (even after they have received to believe with staidness of mind and peace) and all because they want the feeling comfort of their faith oftentimes: their unkindness to God much grieveth them, and besides, their unfruitfulness: to be short, they have many accusations against themselves.2 All which duly considered, do testify in deed another estate of their minds, then was before; though through their weakness, and the devils malice, they fear hereby sometimes, that they are not renewed, and changed at all. But that is not to be marvelled at, for as much as they were so lately drowned in sin, and had no delight in goodness: it must needs be strange unto them §Ito be persuaded, that they are in any better case, then they were; seeing the motions of sin do trouble them now, which did not before, and they have not skill nor strength enough to think, that it is a good sign of their welfare to be grieved for them (as it is in deed) but they think it a sign of their misery, that they have them at all. And yet in that they do so earnestly seek to be better stayed, even from idle and vain wanderings, and labour to see their spiritual poverty, and their inward corruption of self love, privy pride, distrust, &c. they may have clear testimony, that they (though but in part) are truly reformed.
1That which most troubleth the weake about this matter is, that this change of the heart, and renewing thereof, is so hardly seene, and so meanely felt within them; that they cannot satisfie themselues in wishing, and desiring to be more changed: And although before, their open grosse faults did not accuse them, yet now their inward corruptions doe disquiet them: now idle motions and vaine thoughts, and fantasies much trouble them: in their praying,