A20762:2485
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. 4 Of the necessity of Christian Apology and profession of the truth.
Secondly, let us consider, that this Christian apology in the profession of the truth, and practice of all holy and Christian duties, is a matter of 1urgent necessity, which as nearly concerneth us, as the everlasting salvation of our souls. For they that will be Christs Disciples, must take up their cross daily, and follow him; and be contented, for his sake and the Gospels, to forsake kindred and friends, houses, lands, and life it self, if they be called thereunto. Now how shall we with patience and constancy endure for Christs sake, wounds and stabs, if we shrink for words and scoffs? How shall we ever hope to suffer racks and gibbets, fire and sword, for the profession of the truth, and the practice of Christian duties; if we be daunted with every small disgrace, and discouraged in them with reproachful names, and scornful taunts? Let us think with our selves, that if we cannot endure causeless shame before men, which is accompanied with true glory, how shall we be able to bear that everlasting shame and confusion of face, when as Christ shall be ashamed to acknowledge 2us for his, before his Father, his holy Saints, and blessed Angels, because we have been ashamed of him and his truth? Now that we may perform this duty, which is so necessary, with cheerfulness and delight, and contemn the derisions and scornings of graceless men, when they scoff at us for the performance of Christian duties, blushing for shame that we should be thus ashamed; let us consider, that when we are most derided of the wicked world, for the conscionable performance of any Christian duties, we are then most approved of God; and therefore when they seek to daunt us with their scoffs, and to drive us from our Christian hold with gibes and reproaches; let us oppose this as a shield of strength against them, saying unto our souls, My defence is 3of God, who saveth the upright in heart. Let us comfort and cheer our selves with the peaceable testimony of a good conscience, and our inward joy in well-doing; and with the applause of the holy Angels who look upon us, and the approbation and praise of all that fear God. Let us remember, that they are pronounced blessed by our Saviour, who are