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

The seventh means is, to remember and meditate often on the tentations, afflictions, and sufferings of Christ. For what place is there for carnal security, if we consider that the spiritual enemies of our salvation, durst set upon Christ our Head, in whom there was no matter of corruption to work upon, and from whom they received so many foils? If they spared not to cast their darts of tentations against this impregnable Fort and Pillar of strength, how much more against us, who are but flesh and blood, and apt to be pierced, through our weakness and corruption? And if they presumed to cast their hellish wild-fire against him, whose pure nature it could not touch nor taint, but was presently extinguished, as if it had fallen into the sea; what are we to expect, whose corruption like unto touch-wood or tinder is easily set on fire? what assaults, what wounds and foils, are ¹we to fear if we be not always prepared, strengthening our selves in the Lord, and in the power of his might, and keeping the Christian Armour close buckled unto us? Besides, meditation upon Christs Passion and Sufferings is a notable means to preserve us from security. For if Gods Justice be so exact, and if his most pure nature so abhorred sin, that he punished it thus severely in his only begotten and dearly beloved Son; how shall we escape, if by a lively faith we be not united unto Christ, and so made partakers of his satisfaction and obedience, bringing forth the fruits of this faith in hearty repentance and amendment of life? Again, if Christ our Head were exposed to so many dangers, and in his whole life endured so many and grievous afflictions, what place of security is there unto us who are members of his body? For, if they have done these