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.

[ A]

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.

NOw I haue shewed, that true iustifying faith and a godly life, must of necessitie goe together, and that the one can∣not [ B] be without the other: I will goe to the second point in this first generall head or part; and proue that it is necessa∣rie to the leading of a godly life, to beleeue and giue credit to the whole doctrine of the word of God, to be led and guided thereby, as well as to haue faith in the promises of saluation, and for∣giuenes of sinnes. This I say therefore,* 1.1 that he which beleeueth in Christ to saluation, must not stay himselfe and rest therein only, as though he were giuen vnto vs of his father to be our righteousnesse only, and to make for vs a way to eter∣nall life: but to be our wisdome also, to make vs wise; our sanctification, to make vs holy, and also our redemption and deliuerance, to ridde vs in his good time, [ C] from all calamities and miseries, which here befall vs: This, he that truly be∣leeueth, must be perswaded of: and that all the promises of this life,* 1.2 and of the life to come, which serue to confirme him in obedience (whether the great and principall, as of the graces of the spirit; or the smaller, as of bodily safety and preseruation from dangers, so farre as they shall be good for him) doe belong vnto him.

And beside both these, he must beleeue,* 1.3 that both all the commaunde∣ments which teach obedience, and the threatnings, because they restraine the contrarie, are set downe for him particularlie, as well as for any other, to binde his conscience thereunto: these also, I say, must he beleeue,* 1.4 according [ D] to that of Saint Paul: Whatsoeuer things are written aforetime (as either promi∣ses, threats or commaundements) they are written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might haue hope. So that he is bound to depend vpon this word of God, written in the canonicall Scrip∣tures, and to build his faith thereon (in such wise, that he dares ieopard his soule vpon the truth and doctrine of them) euen as he is to looke for salua∣tion, only by our Lord Iesus Christ: euer counting that for sinne, which shall be found to iarre or iangle with the same, either in his heart or life.

But though all, who haue hope to be saued, should doe this;* 1.5 yet it is mani∣fest, they doe not. They make not conscience of many sinnes: they looke [ E] not to many promises; they feare not many threats: all which doe much te∣stifie against them, that they be not so well fenced, as they might be: and by meanes hereof, they holde euen the promise of saluation it selfe more weakely. And this commeth to passe the more commonly,* 1.6 that they be no better stablished and rooted in the truth to beleeue it, because these things (as they be worthiest and most excellent) so they be not plainely, soundly, and thoroughly beaten into the people, and that againe and againe, till they

that are willing,* 1.7 haue them for their owne. And another cause is, for that the [ F] people, who haue some taste of this doctrine, namely, how they should ioyne good life with their faith, take not paine, when they haue been well taught them, to call them to minde and digest them: onely they haue pieces and fragments of many good points, but rarely it shall be found, that one Chri∣stian among many groweth to see this, which I now speake of, by teaching; much lesse hath it in vse and practise for his owne: that is, to giue credit to one part of the word as well as to another; and not euery one to take that which liketh him.

* 1.8And therefore when they haue some work of true faith in them; yet they see not how to set vpon repentance, and a godly life: how to begin, and how [ G] to proceede therein, but are off, and on, now forward, then backward, and scarcely at any time setled and staied: the which although it be so, in great part through their owne weaknes, yet is it also in respect of their ignorance: I speake of the better sort of people, and such as haue receiued the first fruites of the spirit. Whereas, if they were perswaded that they ought to make consci∣ence of all sound doctrine that they heare, and to giue assent to euery part of the word of God, and submit themselues thereto, promises, threats and com∣mandements; they should hold more firmely the perswasion of their salua∣tion, and also be better prepared how to flie euill, and how to doe dutie, and how to trust God in all kindes of his promises. Therefore it is said to the [ H] Hebrues:* 1.9 To vs was the Gospell preached as also vnto them: but the word that they heard, profited not them, because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard it. A∣gaine,* 1.10 Without faith, it is impossible to please God. With the which agreeth that which is written by S. Paul to the Romanes: Whatsoeuer is not of faith, is sinne: that is, whatsoeuer we doe, not being perswaded in our consciences, that we please God in doing of it, we sinne against him. Now then, when our iudge∣ments be not setled in this doctrine and truth, and consequently, we follow no such rule in our actions, must wee not needes wander vp and downe the more vnprofitably and heauily; or, when we be at the best, must we not needs be doubtfull and vncertaine, whether wee please God or no? whereas our [ I] chiefe care should be, least we doe any thing which might crase or cracke our faith: especially, when it is tender and weake, and like the bruised reede, which is easily broken.

* 1.11Therefore if any beleeue to be saued, let them beleeue also that they shall be sanctified (for with one and the same faith we beleeue both) and that they shall receiue grace from God to bring foorth fruites of amendment of life, and that they shall be made able by him through the hearing of the holie Scriptures, to cast off their old conuersation. This faith much auaileth to the furthering of the deare children of God in a godly course, euen at their first comming vnto God, as it doth alwaies after, to liue by it. And although God [ K] by the same spirit regenerateth them, by the which he assureth them of their adoption: yet is it wrought in them much more hardly, and in greater feare, when they doe not first know and be perswaded in their iudgements, that it shall be so. And though it can be but weake in any, at their first conuersion to God,* 1.12 yet shall they sooner wade through their doubts, and grow out of their feare, if they haue this faith as a foundation to vphold them, and incourage

[ A] them to goe about it: But otherwise, they shall faint and feare oft times, and be without hope (nothing is more cleere then this, if we obserue it in weake christians.) And thus must they be perswaded also concerning all blessing, good successe, deliuerance out of troubles, or patience and meekenes to beare them, as well as to beleeue the forgiuenes of sinnes: and finally, whatsoeuer God saith in his word, either the forbidding of any sinne, or the requiring of any dutie, they are bound to beleeue it as the truth of God; to depend vpon it, and to be built vpon it: and to trust him vpon his bare word,* 1.13 and to suffer themselues to be led by it (and that because it is his word) hauing in them al∣waies a setled purpose to doe so: and this is called by the Apostle, the obedi∣ence [ B] of faith. For they must be resolued of this, that to whom God giues Christ, to them also he giues all things needfull for this life, and the life to come, in and by Christ.

And thus Noah did not only beleeue that he was made heire of righteousnesse;* 1.14 but also, that he and certaine of his household should be saued in the flood: and Abraham likewise beleeued not only, that he was iustified, but also went to a place which he knew not, only seeing God commaunded; and abode in the land of promise, as in a strange countrey; and beleeued, that he should haue a sonne in his olde age. And they who beleeued among the Israelites in the Sauiour which was to come, of whom Moses, though darkely, had taught before:* 1.15 the [ C] same beleeued other promises, as that the walles of Iericho should fall downe,* 1.16 after they had bin compassed about seuen daies. Many other such examples, who shewed themselues not only to beleeue the promise of forgiuenes of sinnes, and of eternall life, but also other temporall promises; yea and precepts also and threats, which God had set downe in his word, very profitable for vs, to this purpose: many such (I say) both thoroughout the Scriptures; and namely, in that eleuenth chapter to the Hebrues, are set downe vnto vs. And this generall faith, (so called, for that it giueth assent and credit to the word of God, in the elect, as well to one part as to another, with an honest heart ready to obey it) euen this faith (I say) must be planted in them, as well as faith to [ D] be saued, because by it, as well as by this, Gods people must liue afterwards, and be vpholden.

And this doctrine, because it is occupied about the promises of this life, and the commandements of God, which are to guide vs to full sanctificati∣on here, I did not therefore ioyne it with my discourse of faith in the former treatise; but referred it to this place as the fittest, where I teach how to liue godly: to the attaining whereof, the beleeuing, that I haue spoken of, is a spe∣ciall helpe and furtherance. And so I wish the christian reader to marke well that which I say about this matter: for it is one of the hardest points in all christianitie to practise, and one of the darkest to conceiue and see into, and [ E] to be rightly perswaded of, and setled in: and a point in deed lesse stoode vpon and taught and made cleere by Preachers themselues, in their Sermons and Catechizings; and yet our liuing by faith, throughout our whole life, which is the fruit of it, is as plainely taught and brought to light in the Scrip∣tures, as any need to desire it: and namely in those places to the Hebrues and the Galathians: one, The iust shall liue by faith: the other, I liue no longer,* 1.17 but Christ in me, and the life that I leade is by faith in the sonne of God. As if they both

should say; Christ by his spirit doth draw his faithfull ones to be led and gui∣ded [ F] by the word of truth which he hath set downe to them: and they desire no other life, then that which there they are moued and perswaded vnto, whether we meane the commaundements or promises.

* 1.18I said that this beleeuing which I speake of, is not much laide open in pub∣like teaching, but only this (which is the effect of it) that we ought to be obe∣dient to the word of God: and therefore it is, that the forwarder sort of good hearers (except some few,* 1.19 who haue been throughly made acquainted with it, and exercised in it by long experience) doe little see into it: namely, that they may vndoubtedly be perswaded, that God will make them able to obey his will, as they are fit to reach vnto it: and that he hath promised, if they once [ G] come to know that they are beloued of him, that he will afterwards be with them (to quicken their will, and draw their affections, and strengthen them to doe their duties:* 1.20) as it was said by the Angell to Mary, Haile, thou that art freely beloued, the Lord is with thee. Many of Gods deare children, when they are somewhat staied about the assurance of their saluation, after that they haue been long labouring about it, and then come to heare that they must leade new liues; many of them (I say) are willing to goe about it: but they are much discouraged, because they see not how they shall be able. And least any should obiect,* 1.21 that Paul himselfe was so troubled, who said, To will, is pre∣sent with me;* 1.22 but I finde no meanes to performe that which is good: I answere, he [ H] complained not of that which I doe;* 1.23 that is, that he had no hope in God, nor no promise of strength from him to performe: for he said the contrarie in sundry places.* 1.24 I am able to doe all things through the helpe of Christ which strengtheneth me. And againe, I liue no longer, but Christ in me: but he complai∣ned, that for all the hope of helpe that he had, yet the rebellion of his flesh, and nature that was vnreformed, did mightily resist him. And this hinde∣rance he had, and we all shall haue while we liue. But what is that to this, that besides this rebellion of the old man, they haue this also to hinder them: that they cannot tell, whether they shall haue strength to make them able, or no: nor whether God haue giuen them any promise, that their burthen shall be [ I] made light: and that Christ himselfe will beare the greatest part of it for them, that so it may be made easie?

This it is, that killeth the heart of right good christians, when they are ig∣norant of it, and when they be not well grounded in it, and throughly per∣swaded of it, that God will make them able and fit for so great a worke, as the leading of a godly life is: euen like the burthen of the Israelites, who were in∣ioyned their taske of bricke that they had made in times past,* 1.25 (which worke was hard enough) and yet themselues to seeke and prouide their strawe. This, I am sure, hath troubled many,* 1.26 who yet were willing and readie to doe any duties re∣quired of them, and hath been the cause why they haue gone about the seue∣rall [ K] actions of their life, the bearing of their trouble, and the offering vp of their prayers, the more deadly and vncheerefullie; and therefore the more aukely and wearisomely.

* 1.27And for the benefit of many good soules, I will say that which hath been acknowledged vnto me, by sundrie well approued christians, when I haue in conference set downe plainelie to them the point which now I write of:

[ A] namely, how necessarie it is to beleeue in generall, whatsoeuer other promi∣ses or precepts in the word of God, as well as the promises of saluation by Christ. Oh, haue many said, if wee could haue holpe vp our selues, out of di∣strust, feare, and vncomfortable dumpes, by applying the promises of God concerning grace necessarie for vs, outward deliuerance from daungers, and good successe in our lawfull dealings of this life; wee might with much ease and peace haue staied vp our selues, when for want therof, we were sore plun∣ged, and almost fainted: and with halfe the toyle which wee vsed for it, wee might haue vpholden our selues in hope & with comfort. For many houres, yea and sometime daies, wee haue beate our braines and reasoned to and fro [ B] with heauie hearts, how to wade thorough some afflictions, and how to bee contented with some accidents which were like to fal out and come to passe: and this we did, because we missed of the right way of trusting to Gods pro∣uidence, that he would turne all to the best: without which resolution, who can quietly rest in any vncertainties here below? So effectuall and good a meane it is, to be led by faith, and to haue it as a daily companion with vs. By which wee hauing perswasion of the greatest benefit of all other, namely Christ: we might the more easily haue assured our selues (we see now) of a∣ny smaller, whether any trouble, to haue a good issue out of it; or any good thing (as it should haue been expedient for vs) to inioy it. And wee may say [ C] truly, wee know nothing to haue been the cause of so much and so long vn∣profitablenes and heauines these many yeeres, as this: that we haue not been rooted and grounded in faith, as we haue had a care to please God. For wee being subtilly vndermined by Sathan to hold in this errour of vnbeleefe (al∣though wee see manifestly that the seede of faith was in vs) it was the cause why in all other good things we went forward the more sleightly. So that we see great cause to season our hearts with beleeuing throughout our whole life, whatsoeuer labour it cost vs. To this purpose was the speech of those Christians.

And to goe forward, who doth not know, that when some certaintie of [ D] saluation is attained of men, yet for all that, in as much as it is but weake, that they haue many heart griefes for this, that they see they haue a long weari∣some pilgrimage to goe thorough; and little knowledge and perswasion of any great guiding of them through all the feares and difficulties of it?* 1.28 Pitie therefore the distressed estate of Gods poore people, ye shepheards of his flocke. Although this is but one point of many which ye are to teach them: and arme your selues with that minde, which was in the Apostle:* 1.29 who saw it meete as long as he should abide in this tabernacle, to put the people in mind of al things necessarie to saluation from day to day, though they knew and were stablished in them. And let me with your patience, say one thing more to you, which if ye will [ E] be aduised by me, will be much to your owne benefit, and of those that heare you. Aboue all things, seeke to haue that your owne and effectually wrought in your selues, which you teach the people (for you know that the Phisitions who practise by experience, are best able to deale with their patients). Espe∣cially in this matter of faith, labour to be more exercised: how you haue vse of it, in beleeuing for your owne parts, either precepts or promises, and con∣tent not your selues with bare knowledge of the truth. And so doing, ye shall

make good gaine of that which you shall teach, if your hearers should not: [ F] and yet such teaching, while ye bee sure that it hath done your selues much good, shall set such an edge on your doctrine by your more liuely, cheereful, and powerfull deliuering of it, that it shall farre more easily procure an appe∣tite in the people to receiue it, as they did in Iohn Baptists time with greedi∣nes,* 1.30 and as it were with violence; and so, that if they be not brought to the true practise of Christianitie by it, they will not bee brought to it by any other teaching.

And this I wish, that ye be not of the minde that some haue been of (for it is no opinion fit for the Minister of God) that is to say, that they thinke, though some preach by experience, yet no man is bound to do so: as though [ G] it were in mens choice to doe which they list; when wee know, that the good shepheard doth go before the sheepe,* 1.31 and they follow him: And if he goe before them in example of good life, then he cannot chuse but teach them by experience, that which he himselfe doth practise in his good example. And so, hee that shall thinke that he is not bound to teach by experience, as well as by the let∣ter, concludeth that hee is not bound to bee a good man himselfe, who tea∣cheth.

* 1.32Now I haue said what I purposed, I will goe forward. In teaching, labour much in this manner, which I haue mentioned, to beate into the people, (with making it plaine to them, how they may be assured of their saluation, [ H] as I haue taught in the first treatise) beate in (I say) this doctrine of beleeuing, that God will minister all helpe to inable them to liue godly. For in both points (if view might be taken throughout this dominion) it should be found that the people are ignorant and to seeke; both how to come to the assurance of saluation, and also how they should be rightly taught to leade a godlie and a Christian life. And how commeth this to passe, but because men teach not oft (of which all may see what neede there is) or els they doe not in commi∣seration of the peoples weak capacitie and memorie, beate vpon these things among all other againe and againe.* 1.33 So S. Paul hath left behind him his pra∣ctise for our instruction, saying: It grieueth me not to write (when hee cannot [ I] come to preach them) the same things to you, and for you, it is a sure thing. And we should know, that it is no shame to preach the same things oft, yea in our owne congregation; but meete and fit (especially if they bee these speciall matters) vnlesse we contend for the vaine praise of men, and will shew our pride by seeking after nouelty,* 1.34 rather then our desire of the peoples edifying. Yet I nourish not barbarousnes, nor the vttering vnseasonably and vnsauour∣ly either of the same words and sentences, or in bosome Sermons, the same things: but in the euidence of the spirit, and in renuing our labour and paine, euen about the same doctrine which we taught before, it shalbe so farre from being wearisome and tedious, that the best hearers shall affirme that they [ K] cannot heare them too oft, but desire with all their hearts to heare them againe.* 1.35

And because I am by fit occasion come to vtter this, I will adde one thing which ought worthily to preuaile much both with Preacher & people. And that is this: that in this long and gracious time of peace and libertie, of free preaching the Gospell, he is a rare priuate man (that I goe no further) who is

[ A] able, plainly and soundly to set downe, how a sinner may know himselfe to be in the state of saluation, and assured that he is the child of God; and when he is so, how hee should bring foorth the fruites of repentance, and leade a godly and Christian life. I know it is the holie Ghost, who alone can worke this in mens hearts, but I speake of the expressing and setting down thesame. And though I doubt not but that some conceiue it, yet if they did that well, they could in some sort vtter it also: as wee are commaunded to take vnto vs words to expresse that which we conceiue; as well as to haue matter in our minds.* 1.36 And although the knowledge of this in generall, doe bring men in liking with it: yet who seeth not, that the particular vnfolding hereof, by fit cohe∣rences [ B] knitting one point with another, is the way to make it vnderstood and conceiued aright? By the which the hearer is farre more easily brought to haue the effectuall worke thereof in him.

And thus to returne againe to that from whence I digressed not vnneces∣sarily, and so to draw to an end about it: Although people profit thus far that they get some true taste of saluation by preaching; yet they shall very much stagger and goe backe, and coldly set vpon the practise of godlines, if they be not well grounded in beleeuing, that God will build them vp more strong∣ly from day to day, and perfect the good worke in them which he hath begun, euen to full sanctification in the feare of God.* 1.37 If a chiefe and maine post in a building [ C] be wanting, will not the whole house bee soone shaken? so if a Christian, who must reforme his life, goe about it, not beleeuing that God will make him able; he may be sure he shal want a maine helpe hereto, euen that which will goe nigh to pull downe all that is set vp. For if he haue not faith, to be∣leeue that God will strengthen him; what strength hath hee but his owne? which is as fit for such a worke to bring it to passe, as a child is to build a great Castle by his skill. But if he be well setled in this confidence (his heart also be∣ing purified and chaunged; which (as we shall heare afterwards) is necessari∣ly required; he shall goe about it with cheerefulnes and readines; he shall be incouraged to pray as his necessities shall giue cause; hee shall be kept from [ D] fainting and dismaiednes, when his strength is not very great, and rise vp a∣gaine when he is fallen: all which shall be great meanes in such a case to vp∣hold him, and set him forward to depend vpon God, without any great vn∣setling of him (and yet shall he not for all this, be without sense and feeling of his infirmities:) which another as willing to obey God as he, shall neuer be able to doe; but euery while cast downe and dismaied, vntill hee get the same furniture. And this must here be marked, that there shall be the better proceeding herein, of euery weake Christian, as his knowledge shall be grea∣ter in the word of God: which before grace came (as fire to the stubble to kindle and set it a worke to burne) although it were idle and vnprofitable in [ E] him, and lay voide, and vnoccupied, as timber lieth by, till the building goe forward: yet it shall then helpe much to the leauing of euill, and the doing of good, especially after experience in time, shall be ioyned to both. And when all these meete together in an vpright hearted Christian, how weake soeuer, if he acquaint himselfe familiarly with the promises of eternall life, and treasure vp in a good conscience the certaintie of the forgiuenes of sins from day to day: then this is he who hath laid a strong foundation of a god∣lie

life, vpon which it shall be no hard matter to set the building of his life su∣table [ F] and proportionable afterwards:* 1.38 so that, although the raine fall, and the flouds come, and the winde blow, and beate vpon that house, yet it shall not fall; for it is builded on a rocke. But he who laieth not this foundation, but buildeth on the sand, shall soone his building turned ouer. And thus the case standeth with many in these daies, who therefore are cast downe oft times from their good beginnings, because they had not skill to make them more substantiall and sure. And I feare not to affirme (the Lord witnessing to that which I say) that the offensiue liues of many, with many startings aside from the good way which they haue entred into, and the crooked and halting steppes that they make grossely in the sight of men, who yet durst not somtime before quench [ G] the spirit in themselues, not hurt their tender consciences secretly in the sight of God: these (I say) are chiefly from hence, that they laid not the founda∣tion aright, nor made not their first entrance into a Christian life, sound and sure. Among other things, they haue failed for the most part in this, of which I doe most specially speake in this place, that they haue not been builded vp in this faith and perswasion, that God will further their weake beginnings, and fortifie their hearts against the stumbling blockes and discouragements, which shall stand vp in their way. I haue now onely shewed that this faith should bee in a Christian, when hee first setteth on a godly life: but how it should accompanie him after throughout his life, that so he may liue by it, [ H] being the same to the whole life that the eye is to the bodie, I shall in place fit for it, if God will, declare and shew so farre as shall be expedient.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The beleeuer must beleeue other promises beside that of saluation. 1. Cor. 1.30.
• * 1.2

  1. Tim. 4.8.
• * 1.3

  Also the threats and commaun∣dements.
• * 1.4

  Rom. 15.4.
• * 1.5

  The beleeuers doe not thus. 1. Cor. 3.1.
• * 1.6

  The cause why.
• * 1.7

  A second.
• * 1.8

  VVant of this faith worketh much inconue∣nience.
• * 1.9

  Heb. 4.2.
• * 1.10

  Heb. 11.6. Rom. 14.23.
• * 1.11

  The beleeuer must beleeue that he shall be sanctified.
• * 1.12

  And particular promises of be∣nefits and deli∣uerance.
• * 1.13

  And precepts and threats, euen the word it selfe. Rom. 1.5.
• * 1.14

  Examples of such as did st. Hebr. 11.8.
• * 1.15

  Iohn 5.46.
• * 1.16

  Ios. 6.10.
• * 1.17

  Hebr. 10.38. Gal. 2.19.
• * 1.18

  This kinde of faith not oft beat vpon by teachers.
• * 1.19

  The lesse con∣ceiued, and in vse with the better kind of hearers.
• * 1.20

  Luk. 1.28.
• * 1.21

  Obiection.
• * 1.22

  Rom. 7.18.
• * 1.23

  Answere.
• * 1.24

  Philip. 4.13.
• * 1.25

  Exod. 5.11.
• * 1.26

  VVhat causeth tedious trou∣bles to many christians.
• * 1.27

  The testimonie of good chri∣stians.
• * 1.28

  An exhorta∣tion to the Mi∣nisters.
• * 1.29

  2. Pet. 1.12.
• * 1.30

  Matth. 11.
• * 1.31

  Ioh. 10.4.
• * 1.32

  Let faith and godlines be oft taught.
• * 1.33

  Phil. 3.1.
• * 1.34

  The same things without vaine repetition and barbarousnes.
• * 1.35

  Act. 13.42.
• * 1.36

  Hos. 14.2.
• * 1.37

  A simile.
• * 1.38

  Matth. 7.25.