A10945:626
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.
1Another reason, why men should with full resolution address themselves to pass the time of their dwelling here in reverence and fear, is; because it is the only estate wherein they can prosper, and be in safety:2 and when they are stripped of this heavenly robe, they are naked and exposed to infinite falls, shameful reproaches, and dangers, out of the which they shall find it no easy matter to deliver, and free themselves again. For this, consider what Solomon saith:3 When wisdom once entereth into thy heart, and knowledge delighteth thy soul, then shall understanding keep thee, and counsel shall preserve thee, from every evil way, and from the strange woman, and from those which leave the way of righteousness, §G4to walk in the ways of darkness. When a man setteth himself to seek the Lord, and is willingly weaned from unlawful liberties, and hath made it his pastime to be well occupied, he shall not fear the accusations of his adversaries; for he hath made innocency his defence: neither shall he fall justly into the reproach that other do. For why? he hath settled himself against it: when thousands shall fall on every side, yet shall he stand, and not be removed: Yea the longer he is acquainted with this estate, the better he shall like it (howsoever to the worldly man it be most irksome and unsavoury) and be much grieved, when through natural corruption and untowardness, he shall feel and perceive himself to be any whit weakened or cooled.
1Another reason, why men should with full resolution addresse themselues to passe the time of their dwelling here in reuerence and feare, is; because it is the only estate wherein they can prosper, and be in safetie:2 and when they are stripped of this heauenly robe, they are naked and exposed to infinite falles, shamefull reproches, and dangers, out of the which they shall finde it no easie matter to deliuer, and free themselues againe. For this, consider what Salomon saith: