A10945:566
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.
But I will with adding a little more now make an end of this duty towards the life of our neighbour: That which I have said thereof, may teach,§K how pity is to be showed to the bodily necessities, as to the whole life of the needy and afflicted; and likewise how we must be ready to help all sorts that are distressed: and therefore much more to be harmless and innocent. Virtues they are of singular price, though little set by in this evil world: and yet he that is void of them, were better be out of the world. For both of them are accompanied with other virtues, which do set out ⟨p. 173⟩§Athe worth and beauty of them; even as a chain of gold, rings, and bracelets do beautify, and adorn a comely person. For the latter, that is, innocency and harmlessness, is accompanied with meekness, patience, and long suffering, without standing stiffly upon an offence, or hotly pursuing it, but easily passing by it. Also he that is harmless, is gentle, tractable, and soon entreated to forgive a trespass, though some can never be brought to it: he is also peaceable and communicable, and fit to be lived with; which virtue is rare to be found. Therefore the innocent and harmless man is much to be set by: and as profitable to him who liveth with him, as of himself, he is commendable. And this is to be joined with the other virtue, which in this §Bplace, I before commended, namely helpfulness: and which hath adjoined to it, mercy and tender compassion to succour them that be in misery: and kind heartednes and goodness, as the scripture calleth it, to prevent evil and danger from our neighbour, before it take hold of him. And thus much of the duty which we owe to the body and life of our neighbours.1 That which remaineth, is of the regard and compassion which is to be had over their souls particularly. That seeing the multitude of bad examples is one especial emboldening of the world in evil: we,2 who are marked more then others, how we live after the Gospel, which we have in so great price, ought both to walk warily towards such, as are yet in unbelief, as well as unblameable §C