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Seven Treatises: The Practice of Christianity

Name: Seven Treatises: The Practice of Christianity
Author: Richard Rogers

Richard Rogers 1603

Rogers presents seven interconnected treatises offering practical guidance for Christian living, emphasizing personal devotion, moral conduct, and spiritual discipline for believers of all stations.

EEBO-TCP A10945 (TEI), original spelling, printed page numbers

From the text

The opening of the work as printed, in the spelling of this edition.

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. Thirdly, the matter and argument of euery particular treatise. Fourthly, a directing of the Christian reader, how to reade it with most profit.

IN so great varietie of all learning, as God hath furnished this age withall, it were not onely needlesse, but arrogancie and follie, for me to put any in hope, that I goe about to teach that, which hath not been taught, and set foorth alreadie by godly and learned brethren. But yet, least any should thinke my labour vaine, in that which I enterprise, I would all such might vnderstand, that howsoeuer I shall bring no other thing, then some haue, in generall, or in some part heretofore published; yet they shall not be glutted with the same thing in particular, whether they respect the treatise and argument it selfe, or the manner of following and prosecuting the same. At leastwise, I may say, that there hath not come to my hand any booke directly tending to this end, which I propound here in the seauen Treatises following, to helpe the frailtie of Gods children, and namely, by setting before their eies as in a glasse, the infinite, secret, and deceitfull corruptions of the heart: from whence (without a gracious regarding of the same) sore and dangerous euils doe arise and breake out in their life. Neither haue I seene any treatise, and direction particularly drawne and gathered for mens liues to gouerne and order them, which tieth them to daily vse of the same throughout their whole course: of both which my purpose is most chiefly, [The intent of the author, and generall summe of the whole booke.] as well faithfully as louingly, to intreate, and to aide my poore neighbours and brethren, with that which I haue gathered by reading, and noted by experience, if by any meanes I may be able hereby, to make the Christian way any thing more easie and pleasant vnto them, then many finde it: and to bring it into more price, then the most doe value it at.

In few words, this is that which I aime at, that such as haue tasted how good the Lord is, and haue felt the power of the life to come, by any worke of faith and Christian life, which they haue obtained by the preaching of the Gospell, may after that, see their wants, their infirmities, their corruptions, rebellions, hindrances, & other discouragements, from that blessed estate wherinto they are entred: and how they may euery day in the best manner, remedie, or at least wise weaken and diminish them, and that they may also behold their liberties and prerogatiues, which they haue by Christ: as the certaintie of Gods loue, deliuerance from the feare of the great and euill day, peace and comfort through faith, and the blessednes of such an estate, and daily inioy the same. And therefore, not to be as men that haue no such priuiledges, either cast downe with needeles feare, or possessed with an earthly or vaine reioycing, or destitute of incouragement to walke forward in an heauenly course: [The fruite and benefit of it to the true Christian.] But that they may be mery in the Lord, and yet without lightnes; sad and heauie in heart for their owne sins, and the abominations of the land, and yet without discouragment, or dumpishnes: resting and beleeuing in God, without bold presumption, and fearing their owne weaknes, but yet without dreadfull and deadly despayring. And that thus the Christian man, and he who is faithful indeede, may so carrie himselfe in his course, as he may haue no thought or purpose to reuolt and turne from this hope which is set before him, but be perswaded that he is infinitly incouraged, to hold out constantly therein, against all that might come in his way to the contrarie. And that the vngodly may see how such are blessed in comparison of other, and what they themselues goe voyde of which they might inioy, [What the vngodly may learne by it.] and therefore may seeke how to become not almost, but altogether Christians with them.

[The second point. The reasons of setting out this.] To these (I say) who haue set themselues in a full, and resolute purpose to passe their daies godly in the midst of many encombrances, and to walke with the Lord, so far as of fraile flesh may be obtained (how weake so euer in their owne perswasions) to these (I say) I desire in this treatise of mine to be some helpe and assistance, and to speake plainely, that such as would faine doe well, [The first.] and yet cannot tell how, may hereby be eased and relieued. And if any (who yet are in superstition, [The authors desire that they might profit by it.] hypocrisie, prophanenes, or as yet in darknes) desire to be partakers thereof also, and so to like of that aduice and instruction, which is written for the beleeuers, that they be willing to depart from the wicked, crooked, and cursed way, which they haue walked in: I should be so farre from enuying them this blessing, that (although this was not set out directly for them) yet they may vnderstand, that with such a willing mind, as I haue vndertaken this worke for their good who are in Christ alreadie; with the like, I am readie to further and helpe forward them, who thinke and know themselues as yet to be strangers from Christ altogether; and to reioyce, if I might vnderstand, that they haue been moued hereby with their brethren, to become the true disciples of Christ. [This worke especially tendeth to better the good.] Indeede I haue not laboured so much, to perswade these to returne from their miserie, and to become penitent, because many both examples of the like, and reasons to moue them, are plentifully, plainely, and in good order, extant among them alreadie; and for that I know, that for the most part, they profit not by our writing, who doe not before regarde and take good by our preaching: and yet they shall haue my best aduice in the end.

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TO THE RIGHT VERTVOVS, HIGH, AND MIGHTIE PRINCE, King IAMES, our dread Soueraigne, by the…
TO THE CHRISTIAN READER.
To the Christian Reader.
THE ENTRANCE INTO THE BOOKE, OR PREFACE TO THE READER, which containes these foure…
CHAP. 1. The summe and order of this first Treatise.p. 1
CHAP. 2. Of mans miserie.p. 3
CHAP. 3. Of the knowledge of redemption and deliuerance.p. 7
CHAP. 4. How this knowledge worketh, and namely, the first worke that…p. 9
The second worke: they consult in this case what to doe.p. 13
The third worke: they are broken hearted and humbled.p. 15
The fourth worke: a secret desire of forgiuenes.p. 15
The fift worke: they confesse and aske pardon.p. 18
The sixt worke: they forsake all for it, and highly prize it.p. 20
The seuenth worke: they apply Christ and his promise.p. 21
CHAP. 5. Of the lets of faith, and namely in the behalfe of the…p. 24
CHAP. 6. Of the lets that hinder faith on the behalfe of the People.p. 28
CHAP. 7. What desire breedes faith.p. 34
CHAP. 8. How the weake in faith should be established.p. 37
CHAP. 9. The difference of beleeuers from them that are none.p. 34
CHAP. 10. Of the eyght companions of Faith.p. 54
CHAP. 11. How weake faith is confirmed, and the comfort of it.p. 64
CHAP. 12. The sweete fruite and benefit of the preseruing and…p. 68
THE SECOND TREATISE, SHEWING AT LARGE WHAT THE LIFE OF THE TRVE BELEEVER IS, AND THE…p. 72
CHAP. 1. The summe and order of this second Treatise.p. 72
CHAP. 2. That a godly life cannot be without vnfained faith; nor this…p. 74
CHAP. 3. That for the leading of a godly life, is required faith in…p. 79
CHAP. 4. Of the heart, and how it should be clensed and changed, and…p. 86
CHAP. 5. Of the renouncing of all sinne: which is the first effect of…p. 96
CHAP. 6. Of the diuers kinds of euill to be renounced, and namely of…p. 102
CHAP. 7. Of other inward euils and sinnes, most properly concerning…p. 108
CHAP. 8. How the mindes and hearts of the beleeuers are taken vp…p. 114
CHAP. 9. Of the second kinde of euils or sinnes to be renounced…p. 124
CHAP. 10. Of foure sorts of such as hope for saluation; yet renounce…p. 126
CHAP. II. Of certaine obiections raised from the former doctrine, and…p. 134
CHAP. 12. Of the keeping of the heart once purged, in it good plight…p. 140
CHAP. 13. Of the summe, and manner of handling this second part of a…p. 147
CHAP. 14. Of the aunswering of some obiections about the former…p. 154
CHAP. 15. Of some particular duties pertaining to God directly in the…p. 160
CHAP. 16. Of certaine duties to men, in the fift, sixt, and seuenth…p. 167
CHAP. 17. Of some duties to men in the 8.9. and 10. commaundements.p. 175
CHAP. 18. Of certaine reasons, perswading to the practise of a godly…p. 191
CHAP. 19. Of answers to certaine obiections brought against the…p. 200
CHAP. 20. The last obiection against the godly life answered.p. 208
THE THIRD TREATISE OF THIS BOOKE, NAMELY, OF THE MEANES WHEREBY A GODLY LIFE is holpen…p. 211
CHAP. 1. What the meanes are, and the kindes of them, and of the…p. 211
CHAP. 2. Of the publike helpes to increase godlines: and namely, the…p. 213
CHAP. 3. Of the second publike helpe: namely, the Sacraments.p. 217
CHAP. 4. Of publike prayers: also of the priuate helpes in generall.p. 222
CHAP. 5. Of the first priuate helpe, which is watchfulnes.p. 226
CHAP. 6. Of Meditation, the second priuate helpe.p. 233
Sundry necessarie obseruations for a Christian, fit also to meditate…p. 256
CHAP. 7. Of the third priuate helpe, which is the armour of a…p. 259
CHAP. 8. Of the last point, which is the benefit of this armour.p. 272
CHAP. 9. Of our owne experience, and what a speciall helpe it is to…p. 278
CHAP. 10. Of prayer and the parts thereof, thankesgiuing and request…p. 282
CHAP. 11. Of reading.p. 288
CHAP. 12. Of the extraordinarie helpes.p. 291
THE FOVRTH TREATISE, DIRECTING THE BELEEVER VNTO A DAILY PRACTISE OF THE Christian life.p. 294
CHAP. 1. Of the summe, order, and parts of this treatise.p. 294
CHAP. 2. Of the first reason, why there ought to be a daily direction…p. 297
CHAP. 3. Of the second reason, of a daily direction consisting of two…p. 299
CHAP. 4. Of the third reason of the daily direction.p. 303
CHAP. 5. Of the fourth reason.p. 307
CHAP. 6. Of the fift reason, sixe, seuen, and eight.p. 310
CHAP. 8. Of the description of the daily direction.p. 313
CHAP. 8. Of the necessarie parts of the daily direction, being the…p. 316
CHAP. 9. Of the illustration or more full declaration of the former…p. 320
CHAP. 10. Of outward duties of life, most commonly to be done daily…p. 333
CHAP. 11. Of the benefite and commendation of the Direction.p. 337
CHAP. 12. Of the declaration of the first dutie of awaking with God.p. 346
CHAP. 13. Of the declaration of the second duty, of beginning the day…p. 349
CHAP. 14. Of the declaration of the third dutie, about our callings.p. 353
CHAP. 15. Of the declaration of the fourth rule or dutie, directing…p. 364
CHAP. 16. Of the declaration of the fifth duty, how we should behaue…p. 376
CHAP. 17. Of the declaration of the sixth dutie: Of vsing prosperitie…p. 385
CHAP. 18. Of the declaration of the seuenth duty: Of bearing…p. 393
CHAP. 19. Of the declaration of the eighth dutie, namely: Of vsing…p. 396
CHAP. 20. Of the declaration of the ninth and last duty: Of viewing…p. 399
After what maner a Christian should view his passing of the day at…p. 402
A forme or example of viewing or passing of the day, when we are…p. 403
Here followeth a prayer, containing the summe of the life which is to…p. 404
THE FIFT TREATISE, SHEVVING THE LETS VVHICH HINDER THE SINCERE COVRSE OF THE CHRIstian…p. 411
CHAP. 1. Of the summe and order of this Treatise, and how it agreeth…p. 411
CHAP. 2. Of Sathans properties and attempts against vs in generall…p. 414
CHAP. 3. Of the diuels troubling the weake beleeuer about his faith…p. 417
CHAP. 4. Of Sathans hindering the continuance of faith.p. 422
CHAP. 5. Of Sathans hindring the beleeuer from liuing godly: and how…p. 425
CHAP. 6. Of another let: The leauing our first loue.p. 432
CHAP. 7. Of a third let in this first kind, namely: The want of the…p. 437
CHAP. 8. Of the second kind of generall lets: namely, The vnmortified…p. 441
CHAP. 9. Of other vnruly affections; tetchinesse, peeuishnesse…p. 447
CHAP. 10. Of worldly lusts: and namely, The loue of carnall pleasure…p. 451
CHAP. 11. Of the remedies against this worldly lust: namely…p. 458
CHAP. 12. Of the third kind of generall lets: whereby the beleeuer is…p. 467
CHAP. 13. An example of a Couenant made by certaine godly brethren…p. 477
The true report of a conference, had betwixt certaine well minded…p. 478
CHAP. 14. Of the second part of the Couenant, namely: The remedies…p. 487
THE SIXTH TREATISE SHEWETH WHAT PRIVILEDGES BELONG TO euery true Christian: and how he…p. 493
CHAP. 1. Of the summe of this Treatise: the reasons why it is set…p. 493
CHAP. 2. Of the first priuiledge: That the beleeuers may know in this…p. 495
CHAP. 3. Of the second Priuiledge: namely, That God is with his…p. 498
CHAP. 4. Of the third priuiledge: How God giueth grace to his…p. 502
CHAP. 5. Of a second branch of the third priuiledge.p. 505
CHAP. 6. Of the fourth priuiledge: How the godly may rise againe when…p. 514
CHAP. 7. Of the fifth priuiledge: namely, The gracious helpes by…p. 519
CHAP. 8. Of the sixth priuiledge: namely, of the right vsing of…p. 524
CHAP. 9. Of the seuenth priuiledge: Concerning the afflictions of the…p. 529
CHAP. 10. Of the second branch of this priuiledge, concerning the…p. 535
CHAP. 11. Of the third branch of this priuiledge: That we may haue…p. 539
CHAP. 12. Of the eighth priuiledge: Of growing in grace.p. 543
CHAP. 13. Of the ninth priuiledge: That the beleeuers shall perseuere…p. 549
CHAP. 14. Of the tenth and last priuiledge, inioied perfectly in the…p. 560
THE SEVENTH TREATISE: OF THE OBIECTIONS AND CAVILS WHICH may be brought against the…p. 569
CHAP. 1. Of the summe and order of this Treatise.p. 569
CHAP. 2. Of the first obiection: That their needs no direction daily…p. 570
CHAP. 3. Of answering this obiection: That no such direction can be…p. 575
CHAP. 4. Of answer to this reason against the practise of daily…p. 577
CHAP. 5. Of an answer to another reason against daily directing of…p. 577
CHAP. 6. Of the doubts and obiections which weake Christians ought to…p. 579
CHAP. 7. Of other obiections of the weake: as, That they cannot see…p. 583
CHAP. 8. Of the obiection of weake Christians who cannot read: and…p. 586
CHAP. 9. Of the obiection: That Ministers may follow daily direction…p. 589
CHAP. 10. The conclusion of the whole Booke: containing an…p. 595
A SWEET MEDITATION OF THE AVTHORS, (LONG AGOE) of the benefit of reading, conference…
A TABLE CONTEINING the summe and substance of the whole boooke in the principall points…
The first Treatise.
The second Treatise.