A10945:524
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 first of all, to begin with the duties of the first commandment (the life and light of all the rest) it is first required, that we seek and desire to know God,2 though not perfectly (which we cannot do) yet as he may be known of us, as his word doth reveal him to us: that in his nature and properties,§I he is spiritual, infinite, pure, holy, righteous, only wise, constant, omnipotent, only good, one in essence, three in person: and in his works; as his constant decree, and execution of the same in creation and government: in all most admirable; as we see in the earth with her furniture, wherewith we are best acquainted: although that be but as his footstool, to conceive of his glory in heaven, which is as his throne. But alas, this knowledge of God is weak even in many a true Christian believer: but that every one is then fit to learn it aright, when he is once a Christian. Furthermore, we must acknowledge, that is, allow, and in heart, yield and consent unto the truth of those things which we know of him: that then we may safely and §Kboldly believe in him, and cleave to him. For this knowledge of his majesty causeth all his faithful ones to be truly knit unto him, and to fix their whole delight in him:3 so that, they say with the Psalmist: Whom have I in heaven (O Lord) but thee? and who is he on earth, whom I desire in comparison of thee? So that none is, as the Lord, unto them.
1And first of all, to begin with the duties of the first commaundement (the life and light of all the rest) it is first required, that we seeke and desire to know God,2 though not perfectly (which we cannot doe) yet as he may be knowne of vs, as his word doth reueale him to vs: that in his nature and properties,§I he is spirituall, infinit, pure, holy, righteous, onely wise, constant, omnipotent, onely good, one in essence, three in person: and in his workes; as his constant decree, and execution of the same in creation and gouernment: in all most admirable; as wee see in the earth with hir furniture, wherewith we are best acquainted: although that be but as his footestoole, to conceiue of his glorie in heauen, which is as his throne. But alas, this knowledge of God is weake euen in many a true Christian beleeuer: but that euery one is then fit to learne it aright, when he is once a Christian. Furthermore, we must acknowledge, that is, allow, and in heart, yeeld and consent vnto the truth of those things which we know of him: that then we may safely and