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.

Title

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.

Author

Rogers, Richard, 1550?-1618.

Publication

At London :: Imprinted by Felix Kyngston, for Thomas Man, and Robert Dexter, and are to be sold at the brasen Serpent in Pauls Churchyard,

1603.

Rights/Permissions

To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.

Subject terms

Christian life -- Early works to 1800.

Link to this Item

https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A10945.0001.001 content_copy

Cite this Item

"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A10945.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 19, 2025. content_copy

Contents

• title page
• TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS, HIGH, AND MIGHTIE PRINCE, King IAMES, our dread Soueraigne, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c. long life, happie daies, and most pro∣sperous raigne.
• TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
• TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
• To the Christian Reader.
• THE ENTRANCE INTO THE BOOKE, OR PREFACE TO THE READER, which containes these foure things: First, the generall summe of the whole. Secondly, the reasons why it was set foorth. Third∣ly, the matter and argument of euery particular treatise. Fourthly, a directing of the Christian reader, how to reade it with most profit.
• THE SVMME OF ALL THE SEAVEN TREATISES, AND THE CONTENTS OF euery Chapter in them.
  • contents of treatise - 1
  • contents of treatise - 2
  • contents of treatise - 3
  • contents of treatise - 4
  • contents of treatise - 5
  • contents of treatise - 6
  • contents of treatise - 7
• THE FIRST TREATISE, SHEWING WHO BE THE TRVE CHILDREN OF GOD.
  • CHAP. 1. The summe and order of this first Treatise.
  • CHAP. 2. Of mans miserie.
  • CHAP. 3. Of the knowledge of redemption and deliuerance.
  • CHAP. 4. How this knowledge worketh, and namely, the first worke that God maketh them be∣leeue their miserie, and to be troubled in minde for it.
    • The second worke: they consult in this case what to doe.
    • The third worke: they are broken hearted and humbled.
    • The fourth worke: a secret desire of forgiuenes.
    • The fift worke: they confesse and aske pardon.
    • The sixt worke: they forsake all for it, and highly prize it.
    • The seuenth worke: they apply Christ and his promise.
  • CHAP. 5. Of the lets of faith, and namely in the behalfe of the Minister.
  • CHAP. 6. Of the lets that hinder faith on the behalfe of the People.
  • CHAP. 7. What desire breedes faith.
  • CHAP. 8. How the weake in faith should be established.
  • CHAP. 9. The difference of beleeuers from them that are none.
  • CHAP. 10. Of the eyght companions of Faith.
  • CHAP. 11. How weake faith is confirmed, and the comfort of it.
  • CHAP. 12. The sweete fruite and benefit of the preseruing and confirming of our faith.
• THE SECOND TREA∣TISE, SHEWING AT LARGE WHAT THE LIFE OF THE TRVE BELEEVER IS, AND THE CON∣uersation of such, as haue assured hope of saluation.
  • CHAP. 1. The summe and order of this second Treatise.
  • CHAP. 2. That a godly life cannot be without vnfained faith; nor this faith without it: which is the first poynt in the first generall head to be handled.
  • CHAP. 3. That for the leading of a godly life, is required faith in the temporall promises of God, and hartie assent and credit to the commaundements also, and threatnings in the word of God, as well as faith to be saued.
  • CHAP. 4. Of the heart, and how it should be clensed and changed, and so the whole man which is true sanctification, tending to repen∣tance and a godly life.
  • CHAP. 5. Of the renouncing of all sinne: which is the first effect of a renued heart in the true beleeuer.
  • CHAP. 6. Of the diuers kinds of euill to be renounced, and namely of inward against God and men.
  • CHAP. 7. Of other inward euils and sinnes, most properly concerning our selues.
  • CHAP. 8. How the mindes and hearts of the beleeuers are taken vp vsuallie, seeing they renounce inward lusts.
  • CHAP. 9. Of the second kinde of euils or sinnes to be renounced, namely outward.
  • CHAP. 10. Of foure sorts of such as hope for saluation; yet renounce not open sinnes, and outward offences.
  • CHAP. II. Of certaine obiections raised from the former doctrine, and answeres thereto: as why we should put differences betwixt men: and whether the godly may fall reprochfully, and what infirmities they may haue.
  • CHAP. 12. Of the keeping of the heart once purged, in it good plight afterward.
  • CHAP. 13. Of the summe, and manner of handling this second part of a godly life: and particularlie of the rules to be obserued for the effecting of it: namely, knowledge and practise.
  • CHAP. 14. Of the aunswering of some obiections about the former doctrine, and of the other two vertues which helpe to a godly life.
  • CHAP. 15. Of some particular duties pertaining to God directly in the first, second, third, and fourth commaundements.
  • CHAP. 16. Of certaine duties to men, in the fift, sixt, and seuenth commaundement, the obeying whereof is a part of the godly life.
  • CHAP. 17. Of some duties to men in the 8.9. and 10. commaundements.
  • CHAP. 18. Of certaine reasons, perswading to the practise of a godly life: which is the fourth generall part of this treatise.
  • CHAP. 19. Of answers to certaine obiections brought against the necessitie of practising this godly life.
  • CHAP. 20. The last obiection against the godly life answered.
• THE THIRD TREA∣TISE OF THIS BOOKE, NAMELY, OF THE MEANES WHEREBY A GODLY LIFE is holpen and continued.
  • CHAP. 1. What the meanes are, and the kindes of them, and of the summe and order of this treatise.
  • CHAP. 2. Of the publike helpes to increase godlines: and namely, the ministerie of the word.
  • CHAP. 3. Of the second publike helpe: namely, the Sacraments.
  • CHAP. 4. Of publike prayers: also of the priuate helpes in generall.
  • CHAP. 5. Of the first priuate helpe, which is watchfulnes.
  • CHAP. 6. Of Meditation, the second priuate helpe.
    • Sundry necessarie obseruations for a Christian, fit also to meditate vpon.
  • CHAP. 7. Of the third priuate helpe, which is the armour of a Christian: and of the first three points of it.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the last point, which is the benefit of this armour.
  • CHAP. 9. Of our owne experience, and what a speciall helpe it is to the leading of a godly life: Also of the vse of companie and family exercises.
  • CHAP. 10. Of prayer and the parts thereof, thankesgiuing and request, where∣unto is added confession of sinnes.
  • CHAP. 11. Of reading.
  • CHAP. 12. Of the extraordinarie helpes.
• THE FOVRTH TREA∣TISE, DIRECTING THE BELEEVER VNTO A DAILY PRACTISE OF THE Christian life.
  • CHAP. 1. Of the summe, order, and parts of this treatise.
  • CHAP. 2. Of the first reason, why there ought to be a daily direction to guide the beleeuer.
  • CHAP. 3. Of the second reason, of a daily direction consisting of two branches.
  • CHAP. 4. Of the third reason of the daily direction.
  • CHAP. 5. Of the fourth reason.
  • CHAP. 6. Of the fift reason, sixe, seuen, and eight.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the description of the daily direction.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the necessarie parts of the daily direction, being the second branch of the second part of this Treatise.
  • CHAP. 9. Of the illustration or more full declaration of the former part of the direction.
  • CHAP. 10. Of outward duties of life, most commonly to be done daily, but not of necessitie.
  • CHAP. 11. Of the benefite and commendation of the Direction.
  • CHAP. 12. Of the declaration of the first dutie of awaking with God.
  • CHAP. 13. Of the declaration of the second duty, of beginning the day with prayer.
  • CHAP. 14. Of the declaration of the third dutie, about our callings.
  • CHAP. 15. Of the declaration of the fourth rule or dutie, directing vs in company.
  • CHAP. 16. Of the declaration of the fifth duty, how we should be∣haue our selues in solitarinesse.
  • CHAP. 17. Of the declaration of the sixth dutie: Of vsing prosperitie well.
  • CHAP. 18. Of the declaration of the seuenth duty: Of bearing afflictions rightly euery day they come.
  • CHAP. 19. Of the declaration of the eighth dutie, namely: Of vsing reli∣gious exercises in our families.
  • CHAP. 20. Of the declaration of the ninth and last duty: Of viewing the day.
    • After what maner a Christian should view his passing of the day at night.
    • A forme or example of viewing or passing of the day, when we are ready to lie downe at euen.
      • Here followeth a prayer, containing the summe of the life which is to be daily led of a true Christian.
• THE FIFT TREATISE, SHEVVING THE LETS VVHICH HINDER THE SIN∣CERE COVRSE OF THE CHRI∣stian life before described.
  • CHAP. 1. Of the summe and order of this Treatise, and how it agreeth well with the former.
  • CHAP. 2. Of Sathans properties and attempts against vs in generall: and our helpe against them.
  • CHAP. 3. Of the diuels troubling the weake beleeuer about his faith: and if he do not preuaile against him one way, he seeketh by another.
  • CHAP. 4. Of Sathans hindering the continuance of faith.
  • CHAP. 5. Of Sathans hindring the beleeuer from liuing godly: and how many wayes; and namely, by keeping him in a wandring and vnsetled course; and also of the re∣medie against it: and first by occasion of that, how he holdeth backe the wicked.
  • CHAP. 6. Of another let: The leauing our first loue.
  • CHAP. 7. Of a third let in this first kind, namely: The want of the ordina∣rie preaching of the word of God.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the second kind of generall lets: namely, The vnmortified affections where∣with he oppresseth the beleeuer. And first, Of feare that they shall not perseuere: and of pride in their gifts.
  • CHAP. 9. Of other vnruly affections; tetchinesse, peeuishnesse, fro∣wardnesse, &c.
  • CHAP. 10. Of worldly lusts: and namely, The loue of carnall pleasure, and the inordinate desire of riches.
  • CHAP. 11. Of the remedies against this worldly lust: namely, Couetousnesse and excessiue loue of riches.
  • CHAP. 12. Of the third kind of generall lets: whereby the beleeuer is hindered from foing forward in a godly course.
  • CHAP. 13. An example of a Couenant made by certaine godly brethren, declaring what manifold lets the faithfull haue in this world; (fit to illustrate the former do∣ctrine:) contained in the two next Chapters following. In this Chapter: Of the first part of it, namely, a Complaint.
    • The true report of a conference, had betwixt certaine well minded Christians, (Anno 1588) who saw that they had not liued according to the knowledge which they had, nor to haue answered to their profession, as they might and ought to haue done: containing a complaint of their coldnesse and negli∣gence, with remedies against the same; and a couenant to returne to God by repentance: profitable for many in these dayes.
  • CHAP. 14. Of the second part of the Couenant, namely: The remedies against the complaint mentioned in the former Chapter.
• THE SIXTH TREA∣TISE SHEWETH WHAT PRIVILEDGES BELONG TO euery true Christian: and how he may haue his part in them.
  • CHAP. 1. Of the summe of this Treatise: the reasons why it is set out: the order of it: and of the diuers kindes of priuiledges.
  • CHAP. 2. Of the first priuiledge: That the beleeuers may know in this world, that they haue eternall life.
  • CHAP. 3. Of the second Priuiledge: namely, That God is with his alwaies after he hath assured them of his fauour.
  • CHAP. 4. Of the third priuiledge: How God giueth grace to his children to liue godly: and of the first branch.
  • CHAP. 5. Of a second branch of the third priuiledge.
  • CHAP. 6. Of the fourth priuiledge: How the godly may rise againe when they are fallen.
  • CHAP. 7. Of the fifth priuiledge: namely, The gracious helpes by which he hath graunted them to grow in faith and godlinesse.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the sixth priuiledge: namely, of the right vsing of prosperitie.
  • CHAP. 9. Of the seuenth priuiledge: Concerning the afflictions of the godly; and namely, of the first branch of the same; that is, How they may be free from many of those troubles, which do light on and meet with the vnreformed.
  • CHAP. 10. Of the second branch of this priuiledge, concerning the afflictions of the faithfull: namely, That God deliuereth them out of manie, when the wicked still re∣maine in theirs.
  • CHAP. 11. Of the third branch of this priuiledge: That we may haue much good by our afflictions.
  • CHAP. 12. Of the eighth priuiledge: Of growing in grace.
  • CHAP. 13. Of the ninth priuiledge: That the beleeuers shall perseuere vnto the end.
  • CHAP. 14. Of the tenth and last priuiledge, inioied perfectly in the life to come, but begunne heere.
• THE SEVENTH TREA∣TISE: OF THE OBIECTI∣ONS AND CAVILS WHICH may be brought against the doctrine before set downe; and an answere to them.
  • CHAP. 1. Of the summe and order of this Treatise.
  • CHAP. 2. Of the first obiection: That their needs no direction daily besides Gods word; and therefore this is needlesse.
  • CHAP. 3. Of answering this obiection: That no such direction can be obserued daily.
  • CHAP. 4. Of answer to this reason against the practise of daily direction: That it is toile∣some and inconuenient, taking away all pleasure from men, and hinders their labours.
  • CHAP. 5. Of an answer to another reason against daily directing of vs: That it would breake off all societie and fellowship amongst men.
  • CHAP. 6. Of the doubts and obiections which weake Christians ought to propound, vntill they be satisfied; namely, how they may atteine to such direction daily: and answer thereto: and other like, namely, that they count it hard: and what such ought to do.
  • CHAP. 7. Of other obiections of the weake: as, That they cannot see how they should walke thus, while they liue in such an euill world: and of other like obiections, with answers thereto.
  • CHAP. 8. Of the obiection of weake Christians who cannot read: and another, of them that are troubled through some scriptures: and answere to both.
  • CHAP. 9. Of the obiection: That Ministers may follow daily direction, but yet not therefore the people: and of such as obiect, That better counsell is giuen by the authour than he himselfe will follow: with answer to both: and a larger answere to the first obiection in Chapter 2.
  • CHAP. 10. The conclusion of the whole Booke: containing an exhortation to good and bad.
• A SWEET MEDITATION OF THE AVTHORS, (LONG AGOE) of the benefit of reading, conference, musing on holy things, and prai∣er: conteining a complaint, that these holy exercises are neglected for that which is worse than nothing, euen mens sinfull will.
• A TABLE CONTEINING the summe and substance of the whole boooke in the principall points of it.
  • The first Treatise.
    • summary of chapter - 1
    • summary of chapter - 2
    • summary of chapter - 3
    • summary of chapter - 4
    • summary of chapter - 5
    • summary of chapter - 6
    • summary of chapter - 7
    • summary of chapter - 8
    • summary of chapter - 9
    • summary of chapter - 10
    • summary of chapter - 11
    • summary of chapter - 12
  • The second Treatise.
    • summary of chapter - 1
    • summary of chapter - 2
    • summary of chapter - 3
    • summary of chapter - 4
    • summary of chapter - 5
    • summary of chapter - 6
    • summary of chapter - 7
    • summary of chapter - 8
    • summary of chapter - 9
    • summary of chapter - 10
    • summary of chapter - 11
    • summary of chapter - 12
    • summary of chapter - 13
    • summary of chapter - 14
    • summary of chapter - 15
    • summary of chapter - 16