A10945:391
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.
Therefore such as know the use of fasting joined with their prayers, do use it as occasion serveth, & as their need requireth, that they may the easilier purge out that old sower leaven. They renew their covenants with the Lord to please him better, when they see how they have slipped and fallen from their good purposes; and yet are soon unsettled again. They are in very good case this day or week, to withstand any sin; and yet to morrow or next week unsettled and sensibly distempered; §Kin their prosperity soon forgetful of their fervent care which they had, and then as much misliking themselves for it, when they see it: and to be short, they are much grieved for their sins, and yet oft overcome of them by inward suggestion and outward occasions. And what is such a life, but a combat and conflict? which, although it may seem miserable, yet is it safe: and the life that is void of this, is the life full of woe and dangers. Furthermore, ⟨p. 119⟩§Awhatsoever their earthly dealings are, although they neglect them not, yet they are not most deeply and earnestly setting their hearts upon them (as far as they can espy it in themselves) but often looking to the principal, and that which is most worth, that they may find peace betwixt God,1 and their hearts. Through ignorance and unacquaintance in their Christian course, knowing, what hardnesses and difficulties are in their way, they are many times discouraged; but they, who have laid their foundation strongly, rise up after some heaviness, and discomfort, out of their sleepiness and security, complaining thereof, and come to themselves again.2 All good helps that they can enjoy, they are glad of, public, or private, and thus (I mean, §Bby the strength hereof) they have oft and much refreshing of their minds, and put away much tediousness, fearful pangs, and dangers of evil: by all which, and such like, it may be perceived, what the thoughts of such are, and how their hearts in great part are occupied. And although they have not, as the former sort which I have spoken of, ability and strength to occupy and exercise their senses and minds so continually and constantly to be heavenly hearted, and to have God their guide so sensibly, as they (for want of experience, and perhaps knowledge to) yet are they much delighted with the good examples of such as go before them, and give them light: