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

The instrumental causes of this knowledge, are first, the Book of nature: secondly, the Book of Grace. The Book of nature; for even this light being sanctified by Gods Spirit, is helpful to the regenerate for the revealing of God and his will unto them. And that both the eternal book of nature, which is the conscience, and the external Book, which is the great volume of the creatures. For if there be in all men some relics of the light of nature shining in their consciences, which convince them that there is a God, and that this God is most good, powerful, just, bountiful, a liberal rewarder of good, and revenger of evil, according to the saying of the Apostle; That which may be known of God, is manifest in them: for God hath showed it unto them; then how much more clearly doth this light ¹shine in the faithful, when as it is renewed and made much brighter and clearer by Gods holy Spirit? The Book also of the creatures doth convince all men that there is a God, and that he is infinite in wisdom and power, omnipresent and full of goodness; according to that of the Apostle; The invisible things of him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, ²being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. And therefore how much more may the faithful profit by learning and reading this Book, who have the holy Spirit for their Tutor, which openeth their eyes, that they may see Gods wisdom, goodness and power shining in them; and their hearts, that meditating on them, they may make an holy use of this knowledge, for the stirring of them up to render unto God praise and thanksgiving? The Book of grace also is either the internal writing of Gods Law and will, in the heart and inward parts, by the Spirit of God, which the Lord promiseth to do in the covenant of grace; or the outward Book of the