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

Secondly, if we set our selves to serve God in the duties of holiness and righteousness, we shall be hereby assured, that we shall prosper in ¹our ways, and that whatsoever troubles we endure for the time, yet it shall go well with us in the latter end. For he that delighteth in the Law of the Lord, shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of waters, which bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doth, shall prosper. So the Lord biddeth the Prophet to say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings; and to denounce a woe to the wicked, for it shall be ill with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him. Innumerable places might be alleged to this purpose out of the Scriptures, and especially the Book of the Psalms, which set forth the happiness of those in all estates and conditions, who fear and serve the Lord, seeing he watcheth over them, upholdeth them ²when they are ready to fall, preserveth them from danger, protecteth them from all enemies, delivereth them out of all their troubles, provideth and giveth them all that is good, feedeth them in the days of famine, and supplieth plentifully whatsoever is wanting either to their souls or bodies. So that if we put on this breast-plate of righteousness, that is, bring forth the fruits of holiness and righteousness, with an upright heart and good conscience, it will be armour of proof, to preserve us against the encounters of all evil; And we shall be secured by it against all dangers, according to that of Solomon; He that walketh uprightly, walketh surely: so that though they fall into many troubles, yet they shall not