A20762:196
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. 3 That saving knowledge is necessary to a godly life.
§. Sect. 3 That sauing knowledge is necessary to a godly life.
And therefore if we would be accepted of God, and have our lives and ways pleasing in his sight, we must not content our selves with such a 1knowledge as swims in the brain, but labour after such a saving & effectual knowledge, to be the guide of all our works and actions, which maketh use of all we know, for the sanctifying of our hearts and affections, and the reforming of our lives and conversations. For example, knowing that there is a God, we must worship and serve him, and professing him with our lips, we must not deny him in our lives. Knowing that he is a Spirit, we must not rest in bodily exercise, which profiteth nothing, but worship him in spirit and truth. Knowing that he is infinite and omnipresent, we must with Enoch walk with God, and in all things carry our selves, as before him. Knowing that he is all-sufficient, we must trust in him for all ⟨p. 39⟩things, both in the presence and absence of inferior means. Knowing that he is omniscient and the searcher of our inward parts, we must approve our hearts as well as our works unto him, and make conscience of committing secret sins, as well as those which are open and manifest to the world. Knowing that he is omnipotent, we must depend upon him for preservation from all evil, and defence against all enemies; and that in greatest difficulties and dangers, because things, even impossible to men, are possible with God. Knowing that he is the chief Good, we must love him above all things; knowing that he is true, yea truth it self, we must believe his Word and promises. Knowing that he is just, we must fear to offend him; that he is merciful, we must hope in him; that he is bountiful, we must do cheerful service to so gracious a Master. Knowing that he is but one God, we must worship him alone, and not false gods and graven Images, and set up no Idols in our hearts, as the earthly Mammon with the covetous, worldly honours and vain glory with the ambitious, and carnal and sinful pleasures, with those that are voluptuous. Finally, knowing that he is one in essence, & three in persons, we must worship the Unity in Trinity.