A10945:716
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 because much sloth, forgetfulness, darkness, corruption and weakness do soon gather together, and so grow up even in good men, to the choking of these forenamed gifts of God, that such as have sometime found all these §Cin themselves, yet at the time of receiving cannot find them; therefore at the coming to the Lords supper, God giveth especial charge, that if in any of his people these graces should by their own negligence and default,1 be weakened, dimmed and decayed, that they do not rashly put themselves forward to it in that case; but speedily seek to recover themselves again, by a due examination of their estate according to the forementioned rules: Which if they do then more hardly and difficultly obtain, and going about it, cannot see clearly that they are thus furnished, as they were sometimes, they may thank themselves; the fault is their own, for that they did so long neglect the same, and did not labour, when they were well, to keep well §Dconstantly: Let them not cease therefore till they recover; which of them that know how, being sanctified, shall be obtained. Now the recovering of themselves is on this manner: Let them go apart by themselves, and laying all other things aside, seriously enter into due consideration, what accuseth them, and troubleth their conscience, which in no wise may be omitted: then whatsoever be found amiss (be it sloth, carelessness, worldliness, distrust, uncharitableness, or any other like sin) let it be sensibly and heartily bewailed, acknowledged, renounced, Prou. 28.13. and lastly, a recovering of their faith, by apprehending Gods mercy, Prou. 28.13. and their wants therein, and in their repentance, supplied again, by renewing their §Ecovenant with God. This manner of behaviour in Christians before they offer themselves to the Lords supper, is necessary after they have fallen (as I have said before:) and herein standeth their preparation to receive the Lords supper. Which preparation is one of the three things necessarily required of them, who shall with profit come unto the Lords supper.