A20762:2756
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. 1 That the corruption of the times is a strong tentation to withdraw us from godliness.
§. Sect. 1 That the corruption of the times is a strong tentation to withdraw vs from godlinesse.
Many other are the objections, which the flesh maketh to hinder us from the profession of piety, and the practice of it in the duties of a godly life. And first, it is ready to object, that the times and places in which we live, and the persons with whom we daily converse, are so corrupt and sinful, that it is almost impossible we should live so strictly, as it were otherwise to be wished, and not be tainted and infected with the common corruptions. For the occasions of sinning are so ordinary and manifold, the provocations pressed upon us by wicked worldlings so strong and forcible, the evil examples which are daily before our eyes, so hurtful and pernicious, as powerfully drawing us to imitation; the neglect and contempt of sincerity and piety, and the practice of it in the duties of a godly life, so usual and almost universal, that he who resolveth to take a different and contrary course, then that which is embraced and applauded by the multitude, must seem to go alone, & to tire and spend his strength in vain, ⟨p. 867⟩by swimming against the stream, and rowing (as it were) against the wind and tide: Yea, by living innocently, and observing justice and righteousness in all his dealings, what shall he gain hereby, but expose himself to become a prey, as the Prophet speaketh? Besides, 1with what great discouragements shall the godly meet in such times and places? How are they wondered at and pursued like Owls by little birds? How shall they be crossed in all their preferments, though they deserve never so well, because they do not follow the current of the times; and make conscience of taking those corrupt courses, and using those unlawful means whereby others rise? How shall they be maligned and reproached, opposed and persecuted, if they refuse to run on with others into the same excess of riot? To which I answer, that it cannot be denied, but that these are strong tentations, and great discouragements which hinder many from the profession of Religion, and the practice of it in Christian duties. The which our Saviour himself implieth, where he saith, that because in the latter times iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold;