A20762:421
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. 3 The properties of sound resolution: As first, that it must be universal, &c.
§. Sect. 3 The properties of sound resolution: As first, that it must be vniuersall, &c.
But seeing many men deceive themselves with shadows and shows of good purposes and resolutions of cleaving unto God, and pleasing him by their service; it will not be amiss to set down some properties and signs whereby we may know that, unto which the Scriptures so earnestly persuade us. And first, this resolution ought to be general and universal, extending it self not only to some few of many duties, but unto all without exception. We must with David have respect unto all Gods Commandments; 1and walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and having a good conscience in all things, as the Apostle speaketh. Secondly, it must be diligent and painful in the use of all good means whereby we may attain unto our end; like unto the resolution of worldlings in compassing earthly things, who spare for no pains for the achieving their purposes, but labour night and day, by Sea and land, for the compassing of their riches, pleasures and preferments. So as we may say with David, My soul followeth hard after thee; and never rest in our 2pursuit, till with the Spouse in the Canticles, we enjoy him whom our soul loveth. Thirdly, it must be so magnanimous and courageous, that nothing may be able to daunt or dismay it: and the greater the difficulties and dangers be which cross us in our Christian courses, the more must we double and redouble our resolutions to withstand and overcome them, though it be with the loss of riches, friends, yea, even life it self. And such a resolution was in good Joshua, who though all the people did leave