A10945:444
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.
This doth our merciful father see expedient oftentimes, as both in Peter and David it came to pass, as also in others: who doubtless loved the Lord, more then some others of his faithful people, which never fell in that manner §C(as Peters answer, and Davids Psalms do clearly testify) yea, and such loved him the more, Luk. 7.47. even for that very cause, seeing they obtained mercy against so great sins of theirs, and fearful iniquity.
This doth our mercifull father see expedient oftentimes, as both in Peter and Dauid it came to passe, as also in others: who doubtlesse loued the Lord, more then some others of his faithfull people, which neuer fell in that manner §C(as Peters answere, and Dauids Psalmes doe cleerely testifie) yea, and such loued him the more, Luk. 7.47. euen for that very cause, seeing they obtained mercie against so great sinnes of theirs, and fearefull iniquitie.
Yea and to add a third end, God is highly magnified by others,1 which know and see this, that he hath forgiven so great offences, in such as have fallen grievously: who otherwise beholding the heavenly course of such excellent servants of his, how holy and sincere it was (save in some such offence) should have been utterly discouraged, yea and like to have despaired of their own good estate: and the rather for the high opinion that they conceived of them, if they had not seen or heard of these their falls. For these §Dcauses therefore the Lord may, and often hath, let some of his dear servants fall dangerously: first, for the humbling of them: and secondly, for that they may see his exceeding bountifulness in pardoning so great sins; that they may love him the more: and thirdly, that others far weaker then they, yet faithful, may be encouraged to believe that their sins shall be pardoned, and their weak service accepted of him; for as much as they have seen that God hath pardoned great offences in some, otherwise far more excellent then they: which if they were not persuaded of, should be discouraged much, because of the great graces and gifts in them,