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 eighth means is, to remember and consider, that in this life there is no time nor place for security, but we are then to expect true security when we are come safe to our heavenly home. For we are now Pilgrims and Travellers, that continually are in danger to fall into the hands of Thieves, who will rob and spoil us, not only of temporal blessings, but of the rich treasures of spiritual graces. We are not yet in the Haven but in a dangerous Sea, tossed and turmoiled with the tempests of trouble, and therefore we must not give our selves to security and rest, but be alway preparing against a storm. We are now Exiles among strangers that love us not, and therefore are ready to spy all advantages to do us hurt; in which regard we had need not to sleep in security, but to keep a good watch, and to stand upon our guard, that we be not surprised at unawares. We are in the Christian warfare, sighting against the many and mighty politic and malicious enemies of our salvation, and therefore in the putting on of our Armour, we must not take unto us that security which is only fit and seasonable when we put it off, we must not carry our selves in the day of battle as in the day of triumph; nor bless ¹our selves as though we were free from all dangers, when as we are on all sides encompassed with them. There is no place to sleep in security, when the old Serpent is so near unto us; for, in this case, the greater security the greater danger. And though, as one saith, we have by our conversion passed the Red-sea, yet in the Wilderness of this present life, we shall not want enemies to set upon us. We have left behind us our sins past, as it were the Egyptians drowned upon the Shore; but yet, hurtful vices and corruptions (as it were) other enemies encounter us, and seek to stop our passage, as we are travelling towards the Land of Canaan. Now our former faults, like pursuing enemies, only by the Divine virtue assisting us are slaughtered, but the pricks of tentations, as it were, other enemies come in the front, which cannot be vanquished without our diligence and labour. No man (saith Augustine) ought to be secure in this life which wholly is called a tentation: lest he, which of worse might become better, of better become worse. There is but one hope, one trust, one firm promise and assurance, even thy mercies.