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

The third spiritual benefit which a godly life bringeth, is Christian courage and true fortitude: For being assured of Gods favour and gracious assistance, no dangers are able to daunt us; and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, we fear not the encounters of any enemies. According to that of Solomon; The wicked flee, when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lion. An example whereof we have in David, who was so courageous in the assurance of Gods assistance, that he saith, he would not be afraid of ten thousand of people, that had set themselves against ¹him round about. And professeth, that because God was his refuge and ²strength, he would not fear though the earth were removed, and though the Mountains were carried into the middest of the sea. Yea, though he should walk ³through the vale of the shadow of death, yet he would fear no evil, because God was with him, and his rod and staff comforted him. Neither was this his case alone, but of all those that fear and serve the Lord, who, as he showeth at large, stand in fear of no evil, though dangers beset them on all sides, because they have made God their refuge and fortress, who will therefore ⁴deliver them from the fear of the Fowler, and from the noisome pestilence, &c. And give his Angels charge over them, to keep them in all their ways; who shall bear them up in their hands, lest they dash their foot against a stone. And therefore if we would be truly courageous, let us serve God in the duties of a godly life, and being safe under his protection, and having him on