A10945:758
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 behold and this know, that even amongst those who rejoice in the testimony of a good conscience, such do always honour the Gospel most; most stop the mouth of the gainsayer, and do carry themselves most constantly and continually in an even and good course, so far as they have knowledge, who have been §Gwise this way,1 and who have determined with themselves to stand upon their watch from time to time. And on the other side, such as in whom many good things may be seen (I speak both of teachers & hearers) and are for sundry causes much to be accounted of; yet being noted for rash and unstayed in their actions, and not so much looking to themselves, by wise government of themselves, have done the less good to others by their example, and have caused the other gifts which they have to be the less regarded. God be gloried for the good that is done by this in many: but if it were more commonly embraced and taken up of many moe, who for knowledge are able to season and give light to numbers, they should not be most in disgrace §Hwho have least deserved it, nor many please themselves in a loose and unprofitable course, which beside that, it withholdeth from them much sound comfort, it is a sore blemish in their lives. Yet this I thought good to add, for as much as the Romish Church, especially they who will seem more devout then the rest,2 stand much upon their diligent keeping of the customs of their mother Church, and the precepts of the same, who might therefore seem to themselves, and be thought of others to be before others in godliness: let all know, that this which I have said of watchfulness, leaveth not the least piece of commendation to them. For they watch to keep the observances of men; but watchfulness must be used for the obeying of the §Icommandments of God: they superstitiously watch to observe some hours and days and times, wherein if they perform any thing in outward working, they think themselves more holy then others, though other times be little regarded: but the watchfulness which pleaseth God, tendeth to every hour, day and time, as well one as another.
For behold and this know, that euen amongst those who reioyce in the testimonie of a good conscience, such doe alwaies honour the Gospell most; most stop the mouth of the gainsayer, and doe carrie themselues most constantly and continually in an euen and good course, so farre as they haue knowledge, who haue been