A20762:1526
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. 4 The last means of perseverance, is Prayer.
§. Sect. 4 The last means of perseuerance, is Prayer.
Lastly, if we would persevere in the duties of a godly life unto salvation, we must remember, that it is not a thing in our own power, but the free gift of God, and therefore if we would have it, we must continually beg it at his hands by fervent and effectual prayer. For as it is he alone that giveth unto us the spiritual life of Grace, who were naturally dead in trespasses and sins; so it is he only that can preserve us in it. And if he openeth 1his gracious hand, we shall be nourished and filled with all good; but if he hideth his face from us, we shall presently be troubled, and perish in our former state of sin and infidelity. It is he that worketh in us both to will and 2to do, of his good pleasure; and we who are able to do nothing of our selves, are enabled to do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us. It is he that beginneth the good work of grace in us, and he only can perform and finish it until the day of Jesus Christ. It is he alone, ⟨p. 447⟩3that is able to keep us from falling, as the Apostle Jude speaketh, and to preserve 4us faultless, before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. We can no more walk in our own strength in the ways of godliness, then Peter could upon the waters: but it is the power of Christs Word, that supporteth us, and keepeth us from sinking, and his gracious promises of his help and assistance, by which we are stayed. It is not our apprehending him, but his apprehending us and holding us in his hand that preserveth 5