A20762:1425
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties
A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helps enabling & the reasons persuading unto it the impediments hindering the practise of it, and the best means to remove them whereunto are added divers prayers and a treatise of carnal security by John Douname Bachelor in Divinity and minister of Gods Word.A guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties wherein it consisteth, the helpes inabling & the reasons parswading vnto it ye impediments hindering ye practise of it, and the best meanes to remoue them whereunto are added diuers prayers and a treatise of carnall securitie by Iohn Douname Batcheler in Diuinitie and minister of Gods Word.
London: printed by Felix Kingstone and William Stansby for Ed, 1622
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.
§. Sect. 5 Divers reasons persuading us to good works.
§. Sect. 5 Diuers reasons perswading vs to good workes.
By all which it appeareth, that unto the duties of a godly life, there is required real practice in our works, as well as verbal profession with our mouths, neither doth an holy profession alone make any man holy, but only bindeth him to the duties of holiness. The which, though it be acknowledged of all men, yet because it fareth with the most, as with men grievously sick, who having lost their appetite, approve good meat in their judgment and discourse, but when they are moved to eat of it, put it by, because it is loathsome to their corrupted stomachs; therefore it will not be amiss that we enforce this point a little further, that I may set an edge on their appetite, and as the Apostle requireth, may provoke them unto 1love and good works. First therefore let us consider, that as the Lord requireth an upright heart and holy profession, so also the fruits of them both in good works. For he would have us, not only hearers of his Word, but also doers of it; and chargeth us to do good unto all, to be rich in good works, 2and never weary of well-doing. Secondly, that he hath created us unto good works, that we should walk in them, and redeemed us, that we should not only do good works, but also be zealous in doing of them. Thirdly, that they are the chief ornaments of Christians, which much more deck and beautify them in the sight of God and all good men, then all Jewels, gold, and gorgeous apparel. Fourthly, let us consider the exceeding profit of them, seeing God doth richly reward them, both in this life and the life to come. Fifthly, that they are notable and singular means to assure us of all Gods graces in this life, and eternal happiness in the life to come; whereby we attain unto spiritual comfort, peace of conscience, and joy in the holy Ghost. For they are the assured signs of our election and effectual calling, seeing if we do these things, we shall never fall. They are the