A10945:480
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.
And this is the cause why many which are learned, and of the Ministry, or otherwise, witty, and acquainted with the Scriptures, are far from a godly life indeed, for that they have not their hearts led by Gods spirit to love and delight in this knowledge of Gods sacred will (unless it be for some earthly advantage, which they hope for thereby, or for vain glory) more than all other things beside: nor spiritual wisdom to square their actions thereby, §Dto the end they may follow it as their guide in their whole course, as seeing it worthy to set their delight therein: but account that a foolish thing, and easy to be attained (when yet it is the most precious, and the hardest of all other) yea, a far more hard and difficult matter, then the getting of all their learning by labour and study. What then do I say? that their learning and great knowledge is nothing?1 or do I go about to deface and make both odious? No, I am far from it: but rather I say freely, that they are great and excellent gifts of God: and by many degrees, they may be nearer to an happy estate who have them, then such as want them.
And this is the cause why many which are learned, and of the Ministerie, or otherwise, wittie, and acquainted with the Scriptures, are farre from a godly life indeede, for that they haue not their hearts led by Gods spirit to loue and delight in this knowledge of Gods sacred will (vnles it be for some earthly aduantage, which they hope for thereby, or for vaine glorie) more thē all other things beside: nor spiritual wisedom to square their actions therby, §Dto the end they may follow it as their guide in their whole course, as seeing it worthy to set their delight therein: but account that a foolish thing, and easie to be attained (when yet it is the most pretious, and the hardest of all other) yea, a farre more hard and difficult matter, then the getting of all their learning by labour and studie. What then doe I say? that their learning and great knowledge is nothing?1 or doe I goe about to deface and make both odious? No, I am farre from it: but rather I say freely, that they are great and excellent gifts of God: and by many degrees, they may be neerer to an happie estate who haue them, then such as want them.