A20762:374
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.
§. Sect. 1 The first means of getting a good conscience, is highly to esteem it.
§. Sect. 1 The first meanes of getting a good conscience, is highly to esteeme it.
Now when by these signs we have examined our selves, we shall find, either that we have a good conscience, or that we want it. If we have it not, then are we carefully to use all good means, whereby we may attain unto it; but if upon trial we find, that we have it, then are we to rejoice in it, using all good means, whereby we may preserve and keep safe so precious a Jewell. The means by which we may get a good conscience, if we want it, are divers. The first is, in our judgements highly to esteem it, as one of Gods special graces and richest gifts, and in our hearts and affections, to love and desire it above all earthly things. And so will the Lord be more willing to bestow it upon us, when we esteem and desire it, according to the worth and value of it, and we also shall be more earnest in using all good means to get it, and more thankful unto God for it, when we have obtained it. Now that we may esteem and desire this gift of God, let us consider, First, that it is most excellent, and one of the chiefest parts of our happiness, giving us a taste and entrance into the joys of heaven, even whilst we are upon earth. For (as the Apostle saith) The Kingdom of God is not meats and drinks, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Ghost. But to what end should I speak of the excellency 1of it which is unspeakable, or labour to set forth the beauty and brightness of this heavenly light, which no mortal eye can behold in its perfect glory, seeing as the Apostle telleth us, it passeth all understanding? 2And therefore I will content my self to shadow it darkly, and to give some glimpse of it (as of the Sun in the water) by touching briefly the profit and necessity of it. And for the utility of this grace, that may be said of it, which the Apostle speaketh of godliness, that it is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Like a witness it giveth evidence on our side before God, and excuseth us of all those faults which Satan accuseth us of, or the Law layeth to our charge; like an Advocate it pleadeth our cause, and proveth that we are just and innocent, through the righteousness and obedience of Jesus Christ.