A10945:428
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 the benefit and good of the offenders whom I have bewrayed, and to gather into a sum, that which I have said of the renouncing of inward and outward evils: this I say, if by any means, I may set before their eyes, and persuade them, how odious their estate is (and I say it in compassion of them) that neither the inward rebellious lusts, which I have spoken of, nor the outward behaviour which I have mentioned, is any way or in any manner beseeming the Christian man. But whiles the Lord urgeth this at his §Dpeoples hands, that they have no fellowship with such unfruitful works of darkness, 1but cleanse themselves from all that is evil, both of soul and body: so long shall it be reproachful for all which rejoice in the name of Christians,2 to be either in their hearts stained with such corruptions, or in their lives defiled with such treacheries. Which being so, is it not to be wondered at, especially, seeing the will of God is so clearly revealed, that this should be so harsh & unsavoury a thing; yea & foolish even among such as will be thought zealous, that we should so particularly sift our selves from these, when yet the Lord by the Prophet requireth that this be done again and again, saying, Soph. 1. Fan your selves, fan your selves, O nation not worthy to be loved? It is manifest in the §Ebetter sort of those forenamed, that in their particular actions, & daily course of their lives, there is small moderation of their affections, and unbridled desires, or watchfulness over them: so that well ordered government is as far off: and therefore rash and undiscreete going about their matters is almost every where to be seen, which, beside offence to God and men, bringeth bitter repentance (if any) to themselves.
For the benefit and good of the offenders whom I haue bewraied, and to gather into a summe, that which I haue said of the renouncing of inward and outward euils: this I say, if by any meanes, I may set before their eyes, and perswade them, how odious their estate is (and I say it in compassion of them) that neither the inward rebellious lusts, which I haue spoken of, nor the outward behauiour which I haue mentioned, is any way or in any manner beseeming the Christian man. But whiles the Lord vrgeth this at his