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

And thus we have showed the many differences, which may be observed between that carnal security which is in the unregenerate, and that which after regeneration remaineth in the faithful: And now according to our order propounded, we are to set down some signs of this Vice, according to which if we examine our selves, we may discern whether it reigneth and ruleth in us or no. To the end, that if after due trial and examination of our estate, we find that it doth, we may not content our selves with this fearful condition, and so continue in it, but may labour earnestly to come out of it, and to this purpose carefully use the means of which I shall speak afterwards. The first sort of signs are, when we find the causes of this security in us, ⟨p. 33⟩of which I have before spoken. For as Effects argue the Cause, so the Cause the Effects; especially in Vices of this nature, which being diversly considered, are mutual Causes and Effects one of another. Even as the fire causeth the wood to burn; and the wood burning increaseth and preserveth the heat of the fire. For so these Causes produce security; which is no sooner bred, but it presently giveth life and vigour to that which bred it. Even as we see in some Herbs and Flowers, the Root giveth life to the Leaves and Branches which spring from it; and they being grown, the Root again liveth in them, and dyeth when they are plucked from it. As for example, contempt of Gods Word, causeth Security, and Security being entered into the heart, causeth the Word to be the more contemned.