A20762:2779
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. 5 Their objection answered, who pretend the want of means.
§. Sect. 5 Their obiection answered, who pretend the want of meanes.
But here again they are ready to object, that if they had such means of knowledge, and other saving graces as others enjoy, and such helps and furtherances in the duties of a godly life as many abound with; then with some reason they were to be blamed, if they did neglect them. But alas, they are under some ignorant or idle minister, which cannot or will not instruct them, or such unconscionable guides, as shine not in the light of a good example, but rather lay stumbling stones of offence before them, by their enormous and scandalous lives, and neglecting all good duties themselves, do dis-hearten and discountenance them who are careful to perform them, rather then any ways encourage them, either by their words or actions. In which regard they think that they may be excused, if they be not so zealous and forward in performing the Religious duties of Gods service and of a godly life. To which I have in part before answered, namely, that if this be our case, first we must use all good means to move them to their duty, & especially that we pour forth our hearty prayers unto God for our Pastors and Ministers, entreating him that he will enlighten their minds, and sanctify their hearts and affections, and so make them as able, as willing to perform those high and holy duties unto which they are called. And secondly, if the courses which they still hold, afford us no better hopes; then accounting the glorifying of God in the eternal salvation of our souls, that one thing necessary, which is far to be preferred before all earthly commodities, we must labour to place our selves under such Pastors and Teachers, as will carefully and conscionably break unto us the bread of life, and shine before us, not only in the light of doctrine, but also of an holy life & conversation. In the mean time, these outward wants must not make us neglect the Religious duties of a godly life; or if they do, they cannot be sufficient to excuse our negligence, which doth not so much proceed from the want of external means, or those discouragements which are without us, as from the secret corruptions that lie lurking within us. Which if they were thoroughly mortified, and our hearts inflamed with fervent zeal and true devotion, we would not be moved by these public defects and discouragements, to neglect the private duties of Gods service;