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

And these are the benefits which accompany a godly life, whilst we continue in the world: the benefits which it bringeth, when by death we are to depart out of it, are also great and inestimable: For when all worldly blessings fail, and like miserable comforters leave and forsake us; when being in greatest agony and distress, we stand in most need of help, then the consolations which it bringeth, do exceedingly cheer and refresh us. For the good Spirit of God, which hath ruled and guided us throughout the whole course of our lives, doth not leave and forsake us at the hour of death, but then especially doth accompany and assist us, and the more our afflictions and griefs abound, the more it causeth our consolations to abound also. For it sealeth in our hearts and consciences, the assurance of the pardon and remission of all our sins, and saith unto us, as sometimes Christ to the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good comfort, thy sins are ¹forgiven thee. It encourageth us against the fear of death, by assuring us, that it hath lost its sting, and therefore though like a serpent it still hiss, yet it is not able to do us any hurt. It causeth the beams of Gods love to shine clearly in our hearts, by which they are so warmed and cheered, that the chill and cold terrors of death cannot daunt and dismay us. It calleth to our remembrance our former care to serve and please God, and how we have walked with him & before him, though not in legal perfection, yet with integrity and uprightness