A20762:2622
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 That the difficulty of a godly life must not discourage us from it.
§. Sect. 4 That the difculty of a godlife must not discourage vs from it.
In all which respects it cannot be denied, but that there is some difficulty in leading of a godly life, and much pains and labour required for the right performance of the duties which belong unto it. Notwithstanding this must be no impediment to hinder us from entering into, and proceeding in the course of Christianity. Yea rather, because this above all things is most excellent, profitable and necessary, as concerning us, no less then the everlasting salvation or condemnation both of our bodies and souls, the difficulties which we find in this way, should be so far from discouraging and making us sit still, or turn back again to enjoy our sinful pleasures; that they should rather inflame our desires, whet and confirm our resolutions, and make us much more painful and diligent in our endeavours, that we may attain unto it, seeing though the difficulty were much greater, yet the excellency, profit, and necessity of leading such a life do far exceed it. And this use our Saviour Christ maketh of it; For from the consideration of the small number which shall be saved, and the difficulty of attaining unto heavenly happiness, he enforceth this exhortation; Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many, I say unto you, 1will seek to enter in, and shall not be able: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. So he telleth us else-where, that the Kingdom of God suffereth violence, and the 2violent take it by force. And the Apostle Peter having said, that the righteous shall scarcely be saved, that is, not without much difficulty and laborious 3diligence, taketh thereupon occasion to persuade all, both to patient ⟨p. 820⟩