A10945:478
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.
1And to begin with knowledge, as it is in all sciences, professions and trades, that they who go about to practise therein, must needs have some clear and good understanding of those things which appertain to the §Ksame; so much more in this practise of Christian duties, it is requisite, that he who believeth in God (for such an one only can be a practiser here) should have some true knowledge, what is good and godly, that he may discern it from the contrary, and of things good, which are the best; so that by knowledge I mean,2 such an enlightening of the mind to understand the will of God about good and evil, that we have with it spiritual wisdom to apply ⟨p. 149⟩§Aand refer the same to the well ordering of our particular actions, that we rest not in seeing the truth only, but approve and allow of it, as that which is fit to counsel and guide us: but yet so,3 as every one is able to conceive and attain unto that which I say, that both he may grow and increase in this knowledge, who is endued with the greatest measure of it already: and he may not be discouraged that hath any true measure of it at all. This knowledge, S. Peter saith, must be joined with faith (that particular duties,4 as patience, temperance, and such other like may be practised) and that not in the letter only, but in the spirit. And it is that, of which our Saviour Christ saith:5 If ye know these things, happy are you if ye do them.
1And to begin with knowledge, as it is in all sciences, professions and trades, that they who goe about to practise therein, must needes haue some cleere and good vnderstanding of those things which appertaine to the §K