A20762:3207
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.
§. 1 That all security is not to be condemned, but that it is in some kind commendable; and to be desired.
§. 1 That all securitie is not to be condemned, but that it is in some kind commendable; and to be desired.
Having spoken of that Security, which is natural, in all the kinds of it: it now in 1the last place remaineth, that we briefly entreat of that Security which is supernatural, divine and holy. For as all Security is not commendable, but only when a man, as he ought, layeth aside all care; so on the other side, all Security is not to be condemned, but when he assumeth it as he ought not; namely, such a Security as is built on an ill foundation, and upon false and deceitful grounds; which as it proceedeth from evil causes, so it always produceth evil and pernicious effects, as hath sufficiently been showed in the former discourse. But besides this, there is a Security which is good and warrantable, commendable, and to be desired and embraced of us, grounded on just causes, and rightly assumed of those unto whom of due it appertaineth; namely, the security of the faithful, having its foundation not upon any thing in themselves, or any inferior means and secondary causes, but upon God alone his Power, Providence and Promises, made unto them in Jesus Christ. For after that we are regenerate by the Spirit of God, and being reconciled, are become his Children by adoption and grace, and so like Children in the favour of our heavenly Father, and received under the covert of his protection, then beginneth that created Security, which was in the state of Innocency, to be renewed in us; the which though we cannot attain unto in the ⟨p. 86⟩highest perfection in this life, because our knowledge, faith and love, which should cast out all fear, are imperfect; yet is it much firmer, surer, and more permanent, then that of our first Parents, because that rested on the condition of their obedience, and this upon the freedom of their will, which was mutable and changeable; but this renewed security, resteth upon the covenant of Grace made in Christ and his Righteousness and Obedience, which are unchangeable and everlasting, and hath no condition on our part, but a lively faith, bringing forth fruits of unfeigned repentance; and these Graces also are the free gifts of God, which after he hath once bestowed, he never again taketh