A10945:442
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.
But ye demand, and would needs have me answer, whether I can warrant such as fear God,1 that they shall never fall into some reproachful and dangerous evil, as other men do, as well as they may break out some other ways. If I might answer a wise and sober demander, I would not refuse to speak my mind; although it may in part be gathered by that which I have said already: unto such a one therefore I say (for if any other see his own practise not to agree with my answer, let him impute it to his own sin rather then to my rashness) I say therefore, seeing rare and dear servants of God have fallen thus into shameful sins, it may seem scarce possible for the best in these latter times, being far inferior to some of them in grace,§K to be free from the like fearful falls.2 But yet we must know, that some other of his good people God hath preserved from that kind of shameful sins and stains, as Enoch, Abraham, Caleb, Joshua, with many others: and therefore it may of us be hoped for, especially seeing it is no other thing then we are commanded to have special regard and care of:3 that is, to live without just reproach in the middest of a crooked generation and unstained. Saint Peter saith, ⟨p. 137⟩§AIf ye have these things, ye shall never fall: that is, dangerously,4 to take any great hurt thereby.
But ye demaund, and would needes haue me answere, whether I can warrant such as feare God,1 that they shall neuer fall into some reprochfull and dangerous euill, as other men doe, as well as they may breake out some other waies. If I might answere a wise and sober demaunder, I would not refuse to speake my minde; although it may in part be gathered by that which I haue said alreadie: vnto such a one therefore I say (for if any other see his owne practise not to agree with my answere, let him impute it to his owne sinne rather then to my rashnes) I say therefore, seeing rare and deare seruants of God haue fallen thus into shamefull sinnes, it may seeme scarce possible for the best in these latter times, being far inferiour to some of them in grace,