A10945:999
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 here let the reader remember and consider to whom the Lord speaketh, when he willeth to put on, and to have in a readiness this armour against §Kall spiritual craftiness: For as he, who is not yet resolved fully to be a Christian,1 and to lead a godly life, is utterly unfit for this armour, and hath neither mind nor desire to it, neither can possibly put it on: so on the contrary not only the stronger Christian; but also the new borne babe, and he, even the weakest youngling in Gods family, who hath never so small ability to resist sin, and withstand the same, God hath bidden him to take it ⟨p. 271⟩§Ato him, and to gird himself with it, and to put it on. It is munition appointed to him of God, to save him from danger, even the greatest that can be raised against him: who therefore shall withhold him from it? It keepeth his soul and his life; what should therefore make him so slavish to fear, and full of distrustful phantasies, and discouragements, as to cast away his weapons, and wittingly to offer himself into the lions mouth? Every such therefore must put forth himself to be more bold with reverence, to take unto him this armour which none can want with safety) when he seeth who encourageth him, even he that is able to strengthen him, to the obtaining of that which he setteth him about, namely, God all-sufficient. He must be more §Bbold to keep his crown, and honour, even this holy armour,2 which is more precious to him, then life it self, and suffer none to take it from him.
But here let the reader remember and consider to whom the Lord speaketh, when he willeth to put on, and to haue in a readines this armour against §Kall spirituall craftines: For as he, who is not yet resolued fully to be a Christian,1 and to leade a godly life, is vtterly vnfit for this armour, and hath neither minde nor desire to it, neither can possibly put it on: so on the contrarie not onely the stronger Christian; but also the new borne babe, and he, euen the weakest youngling in Gods familie, who hath neuer so small abilitie to resist sinne, and withstand the same, God hath bidden him to take it