A10945:42
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.
1Now this practising of the godly life is performed by following a daily direction to guide us, and whiles we do every day with conscience set our selves to honour and obey God, as in our callings, and by other occasions offered, we shall be able, and not wanderingly and uncertainly, as we have been wont to do. And so this shall be set down in the fourth treatise. And this is one of the points in this book which requireth to be read again and again, as being neither commonly entreated of, and of singular use to such as desire to take good by it, especially not being able otherwise to guide themselves.2 In the fifth, I make the reader acquainted with the lets, which will hinder him (though he be willing to be directed daily) from this course, except he will be persuaded to arm himself with such helps, as whereby he may withstand them: and remedies against these lets shall in this fifth treatise be set down, as far as shall be thought expedient.3 The sixth shall set before thee sundry privileges and blessings, which God doth peculiarly bequeath unto, and bestow upon his beloved ones, besides such benefits as they have in common with the men of the world. By the which, as by other reasons, the faithful may see themselves persuaded,4 with much more cheerfulness, and greater willingness to lead a christian life daily, and to shine as lights in example to others. In the seventh and last, such objections as may be brought and alleged by any, either weak christians, or carnal cavillers, against the practising of the daily direction, shall be sufficiently answered; that thereby the truth appearing more clearly, many such as desire unfeignedly to do well, and yet have not learned to guide themselves by any plain direction, out of the Scriptures, may have this as an help unto them to see that which the Scripture hath revealed hereof.
1Now this practising of the godly life is performed by following a daily direction to guide vs, and whiles we doe euery day with conscience set our selues to honour and obey God, as in our callings, and by other occasions offered, we shall be able, and not wanderingly and vncertainly, as we haue been wont to doe. And so this shall bee set downe in the fourth treatise. And this is one of the points in this booke which requireth to be read againe and againe, as being neither commonly intreated of, and of singular vse to such as desire to take good by it, especially not being able otherwise to guide themselues.