A10945:353
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.
And whereas he requireth that confidence should be put in him, for continual defence, deliverance, and succour in soul and body,1 they are carried with distrust, as with a whirlwind, and therefore their hope is faint, or none at all, before they see their desire accomplished. In their great dangers,2 when means to come out, do fail them, they are overcome with fear, and almost §Bbeside themselves. In losses impatient, and full of murmuring,3 receiving them as from a cruel judge, and sorrowing for them deadly. And as some have their hearts thus boiling in their trials, and afflictions: so others have their hearts swelling against God in obstinacy and contempt for his afflicting them, and are loose, careless, and desperate, whatsoever pincheth them:4 yet in a scoffing spirit they say within themselves, let him do his best, yet will we not turn unto him, nor seek unto him: (oh horrible blasphemy, fearful to be once named!) that I say nothing of them, who ascribe all to blind fortune, (in cursing of the which, they curse God;) or as the Atheists do, to nature. Are not these loathsome guests to lodge in the hearts of Christians?5 §CI do not go about to set down the poisoned corruptions, and lusts of Heathens, Turks, and Atheists, as they are properly called, that is, such as deny God utterly, for so should I never have done; but to lay forth some part of the corruptions which dwell, and abide in the hearts of such as go for Christians: that many of them who can bear out matters boldly here among men, may see what villainy and treachery they commit against God. This is a little of a great deal of the dishonour which they offer to God. And as this declareth what rebellion is in men under the cross:6 so how they behave themselves towards him in the days of their prosperity, experience teacheth, and I could show at large, if the time would suffer me to declare it.