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

§. Sect. 2 That carnal presumption is a great impediment to a godly life.

§. Sect. 2 That carnall presumption is a great impediment to a godly life.

The second corrupt affection which hindereth us in the duties of a godly life, is carnal presumption, which carrying with it some show and semblance of a strong faith, in the opinion of those who are blinded with ignorance, becometh unto them a notable impediment, hindering them from the profession and practice of true godliness. Yea, it is the devils ordinary prevailing weapon, wherewith he assaulteth secure worldlings, which he findeth by common experience so powerful for his purpose, that for the most part he useth no other, unless they have wounded their consciences, with committing of some horrible and outrageous sins, which will suffer them to entertain no hope of Gods favour and mercy in the forgiveness of them. In which case he possesseth them with terrors and fears, and driveth them into the contrary extreme of desperation. The which he also doth, when he hath to deal with melancholic persons, who being naturally of a timorous and fearful disposition, cannot so easily be persuaded to presume when there is no cause. Otherwise he seldom awakeneth their sleeping consciences, but carrieth them quietly to hell and destruction without noise. For the more sensible we are of our disease, the more we fear the issue of it, and the more earnest and diligent we are to seek all means of help, unless we have no hope of cure. In which regard, it may be truly said, that whereas one perisheth through despair, many hundred are plunged into destruction by security and presumption; so much more dangerous this is then the other, although nothing so horrid and terrible to look upon. Now this presumption may be considered in respect of the object, either generally or more specially. Generally, when as we presume of Gods mercy and goodness, of the pardon of all our sins, and of the salvation of our souls, without any sound ground or warrant out of Gods Word, when as we are in no sort qualified and fitted to receive them. The fruit and effect of which persuasion, is a purpose and resolution to continue still in our sins, because God is merciful to forgive them, and to neglect the duties of a godly life, because they are not only tedious and irksome unto us, but also of no great necessity, seeing God respecting our frailty and weakness, will receive us to grace and mercy.