A10945:791
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.
The third followeth, and that is want of opportunity, & leisure,1 by reason of necessary business taking up the time: unto the which may be added this, that there is no convenient place to some, wherein they may go apart from company, as the sea-men, or such as must go far from their dwellings, when ⟨p. 242⟩they should use it, as having neither choice of room, and yet the same taken §Fup with children, and stirring up and down within, and compassed round with other houses adjoining without, as in small and poor families it is to be seen. To them which allege that they are hindered by necessary business, I deny not, but such may, and do fall out sometimes, especially to persons who are occupied about many things:2 whom I exhort, to weigh (as it behooveth all such to whom this belongeth) that one thing is necessary: and that the ordinary works of their callings are not to put this duty out of place: for if they do, it is by the unskilfulness, or untowardness of them who commit this fault: but the one of them is appointed of God to go with the other, and both of them to stand together to the upholding of their inward §Gpeace. And if they say, that their hindrance is not thereby, but by works more then ordinary, I further beseech them by the mercifulness of God, that they seek not cloaks for their sloth; neither hold themselves back from so profitable duties, by occasions of no great weight or importance, but rather for yielding to the flesh. I call those businesses, occasions of great weight, when the omitting of them, although they be but household, or worldly affairs; yet may trouble them more at that time, then the omitting of their meditation, which may be performed another time, but their businesses cannot: As it cometh oft to pass, that the neglecting of necessary work, through want of discretion, and heed taking, when it should be done (although §Hin the mean while, prayer, reading, meditation, or such like be gone about) troubleth the mind (I say) with so deep grief, through some great discommodity sustained, that in long space it is not quiet and at liberty to serve God any way again.