A10945:343
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.
1But it may be demanded, do God servants always prevail in striving against evil? and obtain that which they seek thereby? for otherwise (say some) what discomfort and dismayedness will come thereby? I say, that as God often helpeth them, that they overcome; so they are oft overcome themselves of their affections against which they strive: but yet they have learned not to be troubled at this,2 as at any strange thing, as if their hope were either wholly or chiefly upholden hereby, and as though they held their happiness §Hby feeling only; when they are taught, that by grace they stand. Neither yet on the other side, do they make light of it, when they are foiled and prevailed against:3 but as they rejoiced in measure, and gave God the glory, when they felt strength of grace against their temptations: so after they come to themselves again, they are troubled, and sorrowful chiefly for displeasing God,4 & they take view of their own frailty, ignorance, & negligence better, and confess the same to God, and take shame to themselves: and cast not away their confidence, but be encouraged, and heartened both to hope for pardon, and also to be more circumspect in looking to their ways afterwards.
1But it may bee demaunded, doe God seruants alwaies preuaile in striuing against euill? and obtaine that which they seeke thereby? for otherwise (say some) what discomfort and dismaiednes will come thereby? I say, that as God oftē helpeth them, that they ouercome; so they are oft ouercome themselues of their affections against which they striue: but yet they haue learned not to be troubled at this,2 as at any strange thing, as if their hope were either wholy or chiefly vpholden hereby, and as though they held their happines §Hby feeling onely; when they are taught, that by grace they stand. Neither yet on the other side, doe they make light of it, when they are foiled and preuailed against: