A10945:538
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.
1Now further we are commanded not only in his worship, but also in our whole life, every where to seek his glory: for so he hath willed us, that we should frame the whole course thereof holily throughout the six days, that so we may glorify him therein. And who doth not see, that this should §Ibe so? namely, that in our life and behaviour we should as well walk worthy the Lord in all things, as in the worshipping of him both publicly and privately, as we have been directed before? That so there may be in these two commandments, fully laid forth unto us, a sum of all outward duties, which in the six days we ought to perform unto him: and in the due practise of both, we may show forth the fruit of that knowledge, acknowledgement, faith, fear, and love of God, and all other inward graces, which we have bin taught to honour him with, in our hearts, by the first commandment. Therefore, as I said, the duties enjoined us in this third, do most fitly go with those of the two former: that not only in the time of preaching and prayer, and §Ksuch like exercises of religion, but also in our common and usual speech and actions, we declare what a worthy and reverend estimation we have of the Lord: as by speaking all good of his name, word, and works: and in our lawful callings, by ordering and behaving our selves wisely and graciously: that all which live with us, may see that our religion is joined with the power of godliness: And that this be done of us in all estates and conditions of our ⟨p. 165⟩§Alife, both in prosperity and adversity: and that as many as we can prevail with (our own family and charge especially) we labour to persuade unto the same: yea and if we at any time fall by infirmity, yet that we acknowledge the same, as cause requireth, and so return to the Lord again;2 as Joshua exhorted Achan to do; To be short. Whether we eat or drink, 3or whatsoever we do else, all is to be done to the glory of his name. And in mentioning the commonest of our actions, as our eating and drinking, he excepteth none; to the end, that we may carry our selves in a stayed and well ordered course continually, whilst we show that in the smallest matters, and in our actions, which seem least weighty, we be afraid to offend: as in our common talk,