A20762:1722
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.
and the rather, because by our many foils and falls they become customable, and harden our hearts in them, our often sinning searing the conscience, and taking away the sense of sin. And thus Magistrates must watch over themselves, that they do not pervert judgement, ⟨p. 513⟩by taking bribes and rewards, and that they have no respect of persons, nor for fear or favour do any injustice. Thus Lawyers must take special heed, that they do not for their fees blind the eyes of the Judge by their false and corrupt pleading, painting over a foul cause with fair glosses, and that they do not protract suites, that they may grow rich out of their Clients poverty. And Physicians, that they do not deal unfaithfully with their patients, and delay the cure for their own advantage. And Divines, that they do not for worldly lucre become non-residents, starving their peoples souls, to fill their own purses, and purchase fields with the price of blood: And that they be not slothful and negligent in feeding their souls that are committed to their charge, following Peters counsel to Christ; Master, spare thy self. And Tradesmen, that they do not use deceit in buying and selling, nor tell untruths, to put off their wares at an higher rate. And finally, thus must Artificers watch over themselves, that they do not their work deceitfully, only for sale, and unserviceable for use. Unto which special circumspection, in respect of our callings and the sins incident unto them, the Scriptures exhort. Thus John the Baptist persuaded the Publicans, whose calling was to live by tolls and customs, to take heed of exacting more then their due; and the Soldiers, that they should beware of offering violence unto any man, but be content 1with their own wages. And our Saviour having to deal with rich landed men, willeth them to take heed of covetousness. And the Apostles Paul and 2Peter, speaking unto Ministers and Pastors, exhort them to take heed to 3their flocks committed unto their charge, that they did feed them with the bread of life, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a 4ready mind.