A10945:632
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 yet when I consider the course of mens lives (and those none of the worst) how eagerly and greedily every one, for the most part, is given and set about his worldly business and commodity, having little thought of heavenly §Erules, in the mean while, to moderate him therein: this walking with God shall be thought so needless a companion for them, yea and unwelcome, that they would willingly have their earthly troubles increased,1 rather then that ye should fasten upon them such a burdensome yoke of commandments, as this is, to walk armed against evil. For if ye will force their thoughts with delectation to be taken up in fearing, and avoiding sin, and in labouring still to be better, this strict chaining of them, is a taking ⟨p. 196⟩away of their whole comfort: for it is death to them, to go about to bridle §Ftheir thoughts, and unruly desires: so that ye may persuade them to any thing, save that which should be in them: and therefore is there so small showing forth of the light of the Gospel in mens lives. Yet do I nothing doubt, but where men of God do faithfully (in the pity they have of their brethren's miseries) show them the way to this, by doctrine, and living, that some shall grow by little and little to a liking of it. But oh happy they, who have chosen this way of Gods testimonies to walk in; 2for their souls shall be bound up in the bundle of life, and they shall flourish as the plants, and grow as the Lily: and fasten their roots as the trees of Lebanon. Their branches shall spread: and their beauty shall be as the Olive tree, and their smell as Lebanon. And thus much of the second §Greason.
And yet when I consider the course of mens liues (and those none of the worst) how egarly and greedily euery one, for the most part, is giuen and set about his worldly busines and commoditie, hauing little thought of heauenly §Erules, in the meane while, to moderate him therein: this walking with God shall be thought so needlesse a companion for them, yea and vnwelcome, that they would willingly haue their earthly troubles increased,