A10945:734
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.
For these causes therefore, and such like, this is to be known and holden in firm persuasion, that the private are (in some sort) as needful as the public: for they may be used at all times, whereas the public cannot; as in persecution. For it being of necessity that as our bodies, so our souls should have some daily refreshing: therefore seeing the public cannot daily be §Chad, we must use private, as I said before: and therefore they are both authorised and commanded by one God. And the public are but a part of the helps, which God hath provided for the profiting of his Church: and therefore without the private, they do the less profit.
For these causes therefore, and such like, this is to be knowne and holden in firme perswasion, that the priuate are (in some sort) as needfull as the publike: for they may be vsed at all times, whereas the publike cannot; as in persecution. For it being of necessitie that as our bodies, so our soules should haue some daily refreshing: therefore seeing the publike cannot daily bee §Chad, we must vse priuate, as I said before: and therefore they are both authorised and commaunded by one God. And the publike are but a part of the helpes, which God hath prouided for the profiting of his Church: and therfore without the priuate, they doe the lesse profit.
For mens coming to Church (besides which a great number know no other serving of God) cannot do that good to the best Christians,1 which is to be looked for, if it be not accompanied with these: as may be seen in every part of the public worship of God. For hearing of the word read and preached, doth little profit, where it is not joined with preparation to hear reverently and attentively, and where it is not mused on after, yea and as occasion §Dshall offer, conferred of also: and if reading privately (where it may be enjoyed) be not used; what is more manifest then this, that almost all in a congregation do by and by forget that which they have heard, and make little use of it in their lives? And what greater cause can be rendered hereof then this, that they never look after matters concerning their souls, when they are about their private dealings, and (as we say) out of the Church?