A10945:949
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.
20. Lastly, that we make not these holy practises of repentance common in time, nor use them for course.
20. Lastly, that we make not these holy practises of repentance common in time, nor vse them for course.
And these I have set down to help thee to meditate. And who sees not now, by that which hath been said, that a good heart may be able to meditate? That as the exercise itself is both very needful for all Christians, and many ways gainful, so none may have just cause to complain, that they cannot tell how to make use of it. But let us remember, that besides the §Dbenefit and gain of it, it is one of the private helps that God in his wise and merciful providence ordained for his deer children to make their life sweet and comfortable here,1 which otherwise would be irksome and painful, even to them who are best able to pass it well. And therefore to neglect it, shall not only be gross unthankfulness: but a charging of the Lord with a work merely needless. Let us also, for the better heartening of ourselves hereunto consider the uncertainty and shortness of our life, and the warnings which God hath given us of our mortality, not only by the doctrine of his word and common experience, but more especially, within these few years, by taking from us so many worthy instruments of his glory, §Eas I must needs say, if it be well weighed, will work in us a less desire to live, seeing they live not with us. And this, among all the rest of the vexations and molestations of this life, should whet and sharpen us to meditation,2 that we might the more shake off the burden and weight of the inordinate desire of living here, as bolts from our heels.
And these I haue set downe to helpe thee to meditate. And who sees not now, by that which hath been said, that a good heart may be able to meditate? That as the exercise itselfe is both very needefull for all Christians, and many wayes gainefull, so none may haue iust cause to complaine, that they cannot tell how to make vse of it. But let vs remember, that besides the