A10945:36
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.
Further, I say that the law only is urged in that book, without teaching the poor soul that may be terrified thereby, how to lay hold on the promise of eternal life, and without the Gospel:1 the truth and glad ridings whereof, is only able to set at liberty the consciences of such as are strangled by the threats and terrible curse of the law: for if that truth make free (as our Saviour saith) then are men free in deed. And whereas it may be objected to me, that I do the author of the book open wrong in saying, that he joineth not the Gospel with the law; for he that readeth it, may find, that he speaketh of Jesus Christ, that he was given by his father to the world, that many might be saved; and of the promise: and how say I then that he teacheth the law without the Gospel? I answer, that he doth indeed mention both the promises of the Gospel, and also Christ; and this he doth in that chapter which is entitled [diffidence in Gods mercy] but yet is that true that I say:2 For the Gospel is the power of salvation to him that believeth: and it is not the Gospel if it be not believed: for that is a part of the description of it: Now believing or faith hath assurance going with it, as I showed out of the epistle to the Hebrews: Which the author of that book with the rest of his religion, doth flatly deny; and therefore it is clear, that he doth not teach the Gospel, neither in that book doth plainly and soundly guide the wandering soul which seeth it self lost, to find remission of his sin, and everlasting life; and consequently, that he doth not direct his reader to live godly, as I said, but holdeth him in darkness and in the state of damnation, and deceiveth him.
Further, I say that the law onely is vrged in that booke, without teaching the poore soule that may be terrified thereby, how to lay hold on the promise of eternall life, and without the Gospell:1 the truth and glad ridings whereof, is onely able to set at libertie the consciences of such as are strangled by the threats and terrible curse of the law: for if that truth make free (as our Sauiour saith) then are men free in deede. And whereas it may be obiected to me, that I doe the author of the booke open wrong in saying, that he ioyneth not the Gospell with the law; for he that readeth it, may finde, that he speaketh of Iesus Christ, that he was giuen by his father to the world, that many might be saued; and of the promise: and how say I then that he teacheth the law without the Gospell? I answere, that he doth indeede mention both the promises of the Gospel, and also Christ; and this he doth in that chapter which is intituled [diffidence in Gods mercie] but yet is that true that I say: