A20762:1660
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. 1 That the Sacraments further us much in a godly life, as they are seals of the Covenant.
§. Sect. 1 That the Sacraments further vs much in a godly life, as they are seales of the Couenant.
The second means of enriching us with all saving graces, and strengthening us unto all the duties of a godly life, is the right use of the Sacraments, Baptism, and the Lords Supper, both which do much conduce hereunto, and each of them severally. For the Sacraments are seals annexed to the Covenant of grace, purposely instituted of God to strengthen and confirm our faith in this assurance, that Christ and all his benefits do belong unto us; that in him, and for his righteousness, death, and full satisfaction unto Gods Justice, he hath pardoned and forgiven unto us all our sins; that in him he is well pleased with us, and hath given unto us just title and interest to all his promises both of grace in this life, and glory and happiness in the life to come; that he will give unto us his holy Spirit, and thereby write his Law in our hearts, that we shall not depart from him, mortify our corruptions, and quicken us unto new obedience. Of all which benefits, the Sacraments are not only significant signs, but also infallible seals, annexed purposely by God unto his Covenant, to assure us that he will perform all his promises, and to give unto us (like a bond and conveyance legally signed and sealed) just title and interest unto all those blessings, even before we sensibly have them in possession and fruition. Yea not only so, but they also serve like instruments and conduit pipes to convey to the worthy receiver, Christ, and all his benefits. Now what can more forcibly persuade, or more powerfully enable us to the duties of a godly life, then the representing, assuring, and exhibiting of all these inestimable benefits, in the right use of the Sacraments? What can more inflame our hearts with most fervent love towards God, then the consideration, yea sense and feeling of this admirable love of God towards us, in giving unto us when we were sinners, strangers and enemies unto him and his grace, Christ Jesus, and with him all these unspeakable benefits? and what more then love can effectually move us to an holy desire in all things to glorify and please him, and to walk worthy his love in all holiness of life and conversation? What can more lighten the burden of our labour, and make us to think all too little which we can do and suffer for him?