A10945:374
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.
for there is no liberty like this: all other, when we seek to fulfil our own desire, is utter slavery and bondage.
for there is no libertie like this: all other, when wee seeke to fulfill our owne desire, is vtter slauerie and bondage.
And these things being rightly considered, it may appear,1 that in a godly life the inward lusts of the heart, and known corruptions of it, how common soever they be in the world, are resisted and declined from, of all true Christians in their measure, according to that which is alleged by the Apostle ⟨p. 112⟩S. Peter: We having most precious promises given us of God, are made thereby §Fpartakers of the grace of the holy Ghost, by the which we are able to fly the corruption that is in the world, and reigneth amongst the ungodly. If they then who embrace and believe the promises, and therefore have fastened upon a godly life,2 do fly the lusts and corruptions which others delight in and embrace; it followeth on the contrary, that they, who are ruled and led by them, can claim no part in a godly life. For he that is so minded cannot be but carnal: estranged from God, and a bondman of hell: which if it were weighed, would cause many thousands, who now think themselves good Christians, to take some pain to bridle their intemperate and unruly hearts, & to be wounded for the same deeply, who contrarily give liberty to them in most things that §Gthey desire.3 Let such weak Christians (to omit these) rest their hope in some certain estate: and not overreach themselves with things which they cannot compass: I mean by resting in some certain estate, this: First, that they have a clear knowledge of their salvation. Secondly, that they account it as their chief treasure. And thirdly, be set forward in some plain and good course of life, whereby they may grow in faith, and the obeying of God, though with some striving. But if they walk destitute of any of these three, they shall be snared much with fear, & unquietness, while they feel that all is not well with them: oft fearing that they have not begun aright, nor were ever truly called: and yet (if they should forgo this hold) seeing there is some lively