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 though when he sinneth he be not taken with the manner, yet he is always in fear of being taken. He is troubled in his sleep, and whilst any mans wickedness is spoken of, he thinketh of his own; and though the guilty may have the hap to be hid, yet cannot they have the confidence of it.

and though when he sinneth he be not taken with the manner, yet he is alwayes in feare of being taken. He is troubled in his sleepe, and whilest any mans wickednesse is spoken of, he thinketh of his owne; and though the guiltie may haue the hap to bee hid, yet cannot they haue the confidence of it.

§. 8 The last means is, Christian watchfulness and often examination of our estates.

§. 8 The last means is, Christian watchfulnesse and often examination of our estates.

The last means of security is, to keep a narrow watch over all our ways, and often to examine our estates, & to cast up our accounts between God and us, and when we find that we are cast behind hand, to plead Christs payment by a lively Faith, that so we may get our Quietus est, and have the Hand-writing of the Law cancelled and nailed to his Cross. For this security is not caused like that which is carnal, by negligence and sloth, but by care and watchfulness; For then may we securely expect our summons to come to Gods Audit, when like the wise Steward we find the Book of our reckonings just and straight. Then may we with much peace and cheerfulness be called to give up our accounts, when we find, that we have profitably employed our Masters talents, and have increased them five or ten fold, by putting them out to the use of our Lord; that is, the advancement of his glory, and good of our fellow servants. Then may we with the wise Virgins securely expect the coming of our Bridegroom, though through natural heaviness, we be sometimes overtaken with drowsiness, and take a nap, if we do in our usual course stand upon our watch, and have the Lamps of a Christian profession, replenished and trimmed with the inward oil of Faith, and all other saving Graces, and the outward light of good works and a godly and righteous life; seeing when he cometh we shall enter with him into the bridal Chamber, and there solace our selves in his love, and in the fruition of those inestimable and eternal joys which he hath prepared for us; the which he grant unto us, that hath dearly bought them for us, Jesus Christ the Righteous; to whom with the Father and the holy Spirit, three Persons, and one Immortal, Invisible, only wise and infinitely good God, be ascribed all glory and praise, power, majesty and dominion, both now and for ever more.