A20762:2659
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. 8 That by daily and constant practice we may easily overcome all difficulties.
§. Sect. 8 That by daily and constant practice we may easily ouercome all difficulties.
The last means whereby we may be enabled to overcome all difficulties, is the daily and constant practice of all Christian duties; seeing howsoever they may seem at the first, harsh and unpleasant to our corrupt nature, yet continual use will make them easy and familiar, and bring us at length to such a custom and settled habit, that we shall perform them with much comfort and delight. For as the mind is more and more darkened by the often acts of sin, and so loseth the light of truth, that no saving knowledge remaineth in it, but malignity only and pollution; so by the many and often acts of piety and righteousness, the mind is more enlightened, and aspireth unto a greater measure of true wisdom, this righteousness and holiness offering themselves as clear glasses, unto the eyes of the understanding, as Chrysostom hath well observed. Besides, 1the more often that we perform these Christian and religious duties, and the longer and more constantly that we continue in them, the more we shall relish and taste their sweetness; so that though at first they seemed to our carnal appetite as bitter and unpleasant, as the infusion of gall or wormwood, yet continual use and daily practice, will make them sweeter to our mouths then the honey and honey comb, as we see in Davids example; by reason that we shall find in our own good experience, the manifold comforts which accompany the diligent performance of these Christian duties; as peace with God, and the beams of ⟨p. 834⟩his love and favour shed abroad in our hearts, and shining upon us, the peace of a good conscience, and inward joy of the holy Ghost, sweet communion with God, access and increase of all spiritual graces, contentation in all estates, and assurance of our salvation, and that in the mean time, all things whatsoever, and even afflictions themselves, shall turn to our good. These, and many such like benefits, accompanying our constant walking in the ways of godliness, will make them not only easy, but sweet and delightful. And whereas at first we came to the performing of Christian duties, as a Bear to the stake, and found nothing in them, but vexation and irksome weariness; by use and custom coming to know and relish their profit and excellency, we find such spiritual sweetness, that it is our meat and drink to be exercised in them.