A20762:2330
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. 7 That a godly life causeth constancy and perseverance unto the end.
§. Sect. 7 That a godly life causeth constancy and perseuerance vnto the end.
The fifth benefit which we shall receive by a godly life is, that if we once with a firm resolution & earnest endeavour set our selves to serve & please God, we shall continue in this estate, notwithstanding our manifold infirmities and corruptions which make us daily prone to fall into sin. For they who are once received into covenant with God, have not only the gracious promise of the remission of their sins, but also have the means offered unto them, yea wrought in them by God, of unfeigned repentance, whereby turning unto him from their sins, and renewing their faith, which is the condition of the covenant, in the assurance that they are all pardoned in Christ, they may with peace and comfort proceed again in their course of godliness, as if they had never failed in it, nor gone astray. Neither doth the Lord only, as a gracious Father, provide fit nourishment for his children, to preserve them in their health and strength; but like a skilful and wise Physician, sovereign medicines to recover them when they are sick and weak; and not only affordeth unto them means to keep them whole and sound, but the precious Balm of Gilead, the blood of Christ, applied by faith; and the salve of all sores of sin, unfeigned repentance, to heal them, when in the spiritual conflict they are hurt and wounded. The which he provideth for them, and (as it were) putteth it into their hands by his earnest exhortations, O Israel, turn unto the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Take 1unto you words, and turn to the Lord; Say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. And again; As I live, saith the Lord God, I have 2