A20762:1528
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.
CAP. I.
Of the rules of a godly life, whereby we may be directed in the right performing of all Christian duties. And first, of such rules as respect the causes of it, both principal and subordinate.
Of the rules of a godly life, whereby we may be directed in the right performing of all Christian duties. And first, of such rules as respect the causes of it, both principall and subordinate.
§. Sect. 1 Of the helps enabling us to lead a godly life.
§. Sect. 1 Of the helpes inabling vs to leade a godly life.
Having showed what the godly life is, and the duties wherein it consisteth, with the properties belonging to them, which serve as way-marks and signs, whereby we may know that we are in a right course; it now remaineth, that we entreat both of the helps whereby we may be furthered in the ways of godliness, and also of the impediments, which hindering us in our Christian course, are to be carefully removed out of the way, if we would travel in it with any ease and comfort, and come happily to the end of our journeys. For as they who are to run a race for a corruptible crown, think it not sufficient to know perfectly the way, with the nature and properties of it, as whether it be long or short; up, or down the hill; rough or plain: but also carefully use all helps which may further them in the race, and remove all impediments which may hinder their speed, and frustrate their hopes of coming seasonably to the goal, and winning the Garland: so must we all take the same course in running of the spiritual Race of a godly life, that we may obtain that Crown which is heavenly and immortal. The helps whereby we may be furthered and enabled to lead a godly life, are either the means which tend to the advancing of it; or the arguments and reasons which may induce and persuade us to use them, and to practise all Christian and holy duties in the whole course of our lives & conversation. The means respect either direction or practice: The former consisting in certain rules which are to be observed, that we may profitably proceed in the ways of godliness: The other in well using of certain special means which God hath ordained & sanctified to this end, that they may enrich us with his spiritual & saving graces, & strengthen us to the performing of those Christian duties which belong