A10945:429
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.
Bear with me (gentle Reader) though I go far and abide long in them; ⟨p. 132⟩it may be some shall take more good at the hearing of them, and their hearts §Fmore relent, then ever they could be brought to do at the committing of them.1 Such frowardness, heartburning, and most sore broils there are one against another, and that for trifles: such earnestness is also in their worldly dealings: and yet deadness of heart, and little courage in matters of the soul: such nimbleness and unweariednes in the one, and such tediousness and irksomeness in the other, that all which see their conversation in the one and the other, would guess that the things which they contend about, were matters of life and death, the other very light and of small reckoning: such griping of the poor and needy, in their sales, covenants, and other dealings, especially not forgoing or yielding the least piece of their right (be their necessity §Gnever so great) nor any regard had of their distressed estate, who can think of it without lamentation?2 Such giving mens selves the bridle in their merry makings (I speak still of such as favour the Gospel) to talk what they will, so as it be not merely impious, how unprofitable soever it be to edifying or hurtful to example,3 when yet for every idle word men shall give an account: when as also such times of friendly meetings should be used for the gaining of one another to God, or confirming one another in their most holy faith, as also for the provoking to love. Such unquietness in the governors of families, for every thing that is not to their liking, as petty losses, and discommodities in house, or without, by neighbours or servants, when yet their own unruly §Hhearts and impatience do make their losses far greater then they are, and they should have learned to be prepared in the day for the troubles thereof: (I understand this of professed Christians) let such as exceed these in evil, little rejoice in themselves.