A10945:339
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.
Others which do, and must needs hear such things taught, that all Gods servants do, and shall disclaim their lives past, and be ashamed of them, it is pity to think how coldly they receive it. Some of them scorn it and mock, and so turn it off that way: some never conceive it: some are often accused and made afraid to see their lives so far off from that which is taught them, but soon forget it, because they see the most of the world to do so. Some §Kare ever in learning how to depart from evil, and to forsake their sins: but the devil holdeth them at a stay, that they never obtain it, because they go about it preposterously, not yet believing assuredly that they shall be saved. A few find the way, the Lord directing them to believe: which, others, who will not be taught of God how they should believe, but by their own reason, do never reach unto.
Others which doe, and must needs heare such things taught, that all Gods seruants doe, and shall disclaime their liues past, and be ashamed of them, it is pitie to thinke how coldly they receiue it. Some of them scorne it and mock, and so turne it off that way: some neuer conceiue it: some are often accused and made afraid to see their liues so farre off from that which is taught them, but soone forget it, because they see the most of the world to doe so. Some §Kare euer in learning how to depart from euill, and to forsake their sinnes: but the diuell holdeth them at a stay, that they neuer obtaine it, because they goe about it preposterously, not yet beleeuing assuredly that they shall be saued. A few find the way, the Lord directing them to beleeue: which, others, who will not be taught of God how they should beleeue, but by their owne reason, doe neuer reach vnto.
But I have not yet spoken of the worst sort of all, who hear this doctrine:1 For they hate them who teach it, most deadly: they rail on them and disgrace both them and it; and if they can, bring them into danger for teaching of it: although their pretence shall be another thing. Yea doubtless (I say more) if by her Majesties gracious authority and protection we did it not, (which more prevaileth with them then the authority of God, from whom and in whose name we teach it) their poisoned and malicious stomachs would suffer none to walk peaceably, who plainly and soundly publish it. These therefore are far from overcoming themselves: and yet whiles many sorts in the world are thus far off (as I have showed) from victory