A20762:429
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. 5 Of the means whereby we may confirm our resolution of adhering unto God.
§. Sect. 5 Of the meanes whereby wee may confirme our resolution of adhering vnto God.
Now the means of confirming this resolution of adhering unto God with all our hearts, and pleasing him in all things, are divers. First, we must often meditate on Gods infinite goodness in himself, whereby he deserveth the whole heart and affection, with all the service of his creatures, and their whole endeavour to glorify him who is worthy of all love. Secondly, we must call often to our remembrance his inestimable love, and exceeding great bounty towards us, which plainly appear in our election, creation, preservation; but especially in that great work of our redemption, wherein he hath given his Son to death, that he might save and restore us to life and happiness; as also the special and singular favours which he hath extended unto us in the whole course of our lives: And this, if any thing will make us resolute to serve and please him, whom we have tried and tasted to be so infinitely good and gracious unto us. Thirdly, we must meditate seriously on his power and all-sufficiency, whereby he is able, and on the truth of his gracious promises, whereby he hath assured us, that he is willing to assist us in all difficulties, and to defend us against all dangers which shall affront and oppose us in our Christian course, and in the performance of the duties of a godly life; for what can more strengthen our resolutions in performing faithful service unto God, then to be assured by his assistance, of victory over all enemies, strength in overcoming all difficulties, safety in all dangers, and prosperous success and an happy issue of all our endeavours? And thus Moses exhorteth Joshua to resolution and courage, because God had promised to be with him. He it is (saith he) that doth go before thee, he will be with ⟨p. 104⟩1thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed. Fourthly, let us remember, that it is impossible to lose the fruit & benefit of our labour, whatsoever pains we take in Gods service; for besides the present pay of temporal benefits, we shall have the rich rewards of eternal and heavenly happiness, of which, the other are but small earnest pennies and pawns. So that if we in Gods service lose our earthly riches, we shall have for them heavenly treasures; if our fame and reputation amongst men, we shall be recompensed with eternal glory, in the presence of God, his Saints, and Angels;