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

§. 7 Of security in the state of Corruption, and the original of it.

§. 7 Of securitie in the state of Corruption, and the originall of it.

Now because being in this case, we could not do cheerful service, unto Satan, who when we were cast from under Gods protection had taken us captive to do his will, but out of fear and discontent ⟨p. 5⟩were likely to endeavour the bettering of our estate, and to seek some means to free our selves from this dreadful misery; therefore this subtle Enemy of our salvation, laboured to make up this breach, whereby we did lye open to all dangers, and in stead of the firm wall of Gods protection, which like an impregnable Bulwark secured us from all evil, he built about us a Wall of rubbish and untempered Mortar, or rather of straw and sear wood, which in stead of preserving us from outward perils, was ready to betray us to all assaults of Enemies, to be set on fire with Gods wrath and the wild fire of Hell, the tentations of the Devil, and so to become, in stead of a Wall of defence, fuel for our execution, and means of our greater torment. To all which evils we were more desperately exposed, because by this seeming shelter, and airy wall of defence, we were made wholly negligent, as though there were no evil approaching, nor any Enemy able to disturb our peace. The which weak Fort and vain Defence, was wholly framed of Satan's errors and lies, whereby he made us either to apprehend, by a false conceit things that were not, or to miss-apply unto our selves things that are, as though they were near and on our side, when as they are far off from our defence, and rather against, then for us, so long as we are in the state of impenitency and unbelief. In the former respect he maketh us secure by telling us of our natural excellencies, our good meanings and intentions, our justice and love to God and Men, whereby we fulfil the Law, and merit from God by our good lives his protection and defence; when as there is nothing in us but ignorance and unbelief, worldliness and profaneness, sin and corruption, which so defileth even those actions which we think most glorious, that they are abominable in Gods sight. And also by telling us that we have peace with God, and are highly in his favour; and peace with all the Creatures, so as nothing will do us any harm; when as all things in Heaven and Earth are at enmity with us, and (when God doth but give the sign of battle) will set upon us with all their fury.