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

Lastly, we must set this diligent watch over our works and actions, that they may in all things be conformable to the Word and will of God, ¹whilst we do that which he hath commanded, and leave undone that which he hath forbidden. Thus the Wise man exhorteth us, not to be rash and unadvised in our courses; but to ponder the path of our feet, and let all our ways be established, turning neither to the right hand, nor to the left, and removing our foot from evil. And this he maketh to be a note of a man truly wise: for whereas a silly man, being over-credulous, is rash and headlong in all his enterprises, A prudent man looketh well to his going: and ²whereas the fool rageth and is confident, a wise man feareth and departeth from evil. And because our ways are, through the malice of our spiritual enemies, on all sides beset with snares, wherewith, if we be not very circumspect, we shall easily be caught; therefore in this regard he saith, that he ³is blessed that feareth always, and seeing we daily tread upon slippery places, whilst we are managing our worldly affairs. Hereof it is, that the Apostle commending unto us this watchful care, willeth him who thinketh that he standeth, take heed lest he fall. Now this care and watchfulness respecting our actions, provideth, first, that we spend none of our precious time in sloth and idleness, (for by doing nothing, we shall quickly learn to do that which is ill) but that we be always exercised in some good employment, respecting Gods glory, or our own, or our neighbours good, as I have showed at large before, and therefore here thus briefly pass it over. Secondly, that with all care and circumspection we keep our selves from all sinful actions, and though through Satan's tentations, and our own corruption, we have conceived sin in the heart, yet let us there smother it, as in the womb, and not consummate and perfect it, and (as it were) by acting of it, bring it unto birth. Finally, we must watch over our works and actions, that we may not only shun evil, but also do that which is good, that thereby we may glorify God by the light of our godly lives, adorn our profession, edify our neighbours by our good example, and make our own calling and election sure. But of this also I have spoken before.