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.
John Downame d. 1652London: printed by Felix Kingstone and William Stansby for Ed, 1622
[36], 734, 733-925, 956-961, [3]; [16], 103, [1] p. · 643k words · STC 7143 · ESTC S121690
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.
The special duties, whereby we adhere and cleave unto God with all our hearts, are either principal, or those which arise out of them and depend upon them; the chief and principal are affiance, the love and fear of God. By affiance we adhere and cleave unto him, when as knowing, acknowledging, believing, and remembering the omniscience, omnipotence, all sufficiency, trueth, and goodness of God towards us, we do put our trust and affiance in him, for the obtaining of all good, and preservation from all evil, both in the presence and absence of all inferior means. Unto which affiance the Scriptures exhort us. So David, Trust in the Lord, and 1
to thine own understanding. Which if we perform, we have divers gracious promises made unto us: as first, that we shall be greatly rewarded; Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward; and be
encompassed with all Gods mercies and favours; according to that of the Psalmist, He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Secondly,
burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. And again, They that trust in the Lord, shall be as mount
Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. Thirdly, that we shall have the good things of the earth for the present, and eternal blessedness in the life to come; for he that trusteth in the Lord, shall possess the land, and
the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him. And thus we must trust in the Lord for the obtaining of all good, and the avoiding of all evil: unto the former, David exhorteth, Commit thy way unto the Lord;
trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. And of the other, we have him for our example: The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?
arise against me, in this will I be confident. And again, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble:
THe speciall duties, whereby we adhere and cleaue vnto God with all our hearts, are either principall, or those which arise out of them and depend vpon them; the chiefe and principall are affiance, the loue and feare of God. By affiance wee adhere and cleaue vnto him, when as knowing, acknowledging, beleeuing, and remembring the omniscience, omnipotence, all sufficiency, trueth, and goodnesse of God towards vs, we doe put our trust and affiance in him, for the obtaining of all good, and preseruation from all euill, both in the presence and absence of all inferiour meanes. Vnto which affiance the Scriptures exhort vs. So Dauid, Trust in the Lord, and 1doe good. And Salomon, Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not 2to thine owne vnderstanding. Which if we performe, wee haue diuers gracious promises made vnto vs: as first, that we shall be greatly rewarded; Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward; and be 3incompassed with all Gods mercies and fauours; according to that of the Psalmist, He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compasse him about. Secondly, 4that wee shall bee sustained and preserued by his prouidence. Cast thy 5burthen vpon the Lord, and he shall sustaine thee; he shall neuer suffer the righteous to be mooued. And againe, They that trust in the Lord, shall be as mount 6Sion, which cannot be remooued, but abideth for euer. Thirdly, that we shall haue the good things of the earth for the present, and eternall blessednesse in the life to come; for he that trusteth in the Lord, shall possesse the land, and 7shall inherit his holy mountaine. So Ieremie, Blessed is the man that trusteth in 8the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. And the Psalmist, O trust and see, that 9the Lord is good, blessed is the man that trusteth in him. And thus wee must trust in the Lord for the obtaining of all good, and the auoiding of all euill: vnto the former, Dauid exhorteth, Commit thy way vnto the Lord; 10trust also in him, and he shall bring it to passe. And of the other, we haue him for our example: The Lord is my light and my saluation, whom shall I feare? 11the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I bee afraid? Though an hoste should incampe against me, my heart shall not feare, though warre should 12arise against me, in this will I be confident. And againe, God is our refuge and strength, a very present helpe in trouble:
therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be cast into the middest of the sea, &c. And thus must we trust in the Lord, in the presence and absence of inferior means. When we have means, we must put our affiance in him, first, though they be weak and insufficient, knowing that he is able to give virtue and vigour unto them, seeing we live not by bread only, 1but by every word that proceedeth out of Gods mouth. He is able in the famine to feed us with ravenous birds, which in their own nature are ⟨p. 106⟩more fit to take away our meat, then to bring any unto us; and to make our small pittance, a few pulse, an handful of meal, and a cruse of oil, as sufficient for our nourishment as the greatest dainties of the worldly wicked. In time of plague he can keep us safe under the shadow of his wings, and though thousands do fall at our sides, and ten thousand at our right 2hand, it shall not come nigh us. In time of war, he is able to save with few, as well as with many, as Jonathan speaketh; and to give victory, not only to 3those who have a strong army, but to those also that have no power, as 4Asa confesseth. Or if our means be many and mighty, yet we must not trust in them, but using them as sent of God to serve his providence in our sustentation and preservation, we must put our whole confidence in him, and rest alone in his blessing upon them, without which they shall never do us any good. For we travail in vain, unless God bless the house; In 5vain we plough and sow, unless he give the increase. In vain are our Granaries and Store-houses replenished with all plenty, if he break the staff of bread. In vain is the horse prepared against the day of battle, if salvation come not from the Lord. And in vain do Gods spiritual Husbandmen plant and water, except the Lord do 6give increase. Neither must we less trust in the Lord in the utter absence of all inferior means, knowing that he is true of his promise, and will never fail us if we put our affiance in him, and in himself alone, all-sufficient to preserve and defend us in their absence, as well as in the presence of them. And thus did David trust in God, though he walked alone in 7the vale of the shadow of death;
therefore will we not feare, though the earth be remooued, and though the mountaines be cast into the middest of the sea, &c. And thus must we trust in the Lord, in the presence and absence of inferiour meanes. When we haue meanes, wee must put our affiance in him, first, though they be weake and insufficient, knowing that he is able to giue vertue and vigour vnto them, seeing we liue not by bread onely, 1but by euery word that proceedeth out of Gods mouth. Hee is able in the famine to feede vs with rauenous birds, which in their owne nature are ⟨p. 106⟩more fit to take away our meate, then to bring any vnto vs; and to make our small pittance, a few pulse, an handfull of meale, and a cruize of oyle, as sufficient for our nourishment as the greatest dainties of the worldly wicked. In time of plague he can keepe vs safe vnder the shaddow of his wings, and though thousands doe fall at our sides, and ten thousand at our right 2hand, it shall not come nigh vs. In time of warre, he is able to saue with few, as well as with many, as Ionathan speaketh; and to giue victory, not only to 3those who haue a strong armie, but to those also that haue no power, as 4Asa confesseth. Or if our meanes be many and mighty, yet we must not trust in them, but vsing them as sent of God to serue his prouidence in our sustentation and preseruation, we must put our whole confidence in him, and rest alone in his blessing vpon them, without which they shall neuer doe vs any good. For we trauaile in vaine, vnlesse God blesse the house; In 5vaine wee plow and sow, vnlesse hee giue the increase. In vaine are our Granaries and Store-houses replenished with all plentie, if hee breake the staffe of bread. In vaine is the horse prepared against the day of battell, if saluation come not from the Lord. And in vaine doe Gods spirituall Husbandmen plant and water, except the Lord doe 6giue increase. Neither must we lesse trust in the Lord in the vtter absence of all inferiour meanes, knowing that he is true of his promise, and will neuer faile vs if we put our affiance in him, and in himselfe alone, all-sufficient to preserue and defend vs in their absence, as well as in the presence of them. And thus did Dauid trust in God, though he walked alone in
the three children in the fiery furnace, Daniel in the Lyons den, Peter guarded with Soldiers, and Paul and Silas 1when they were in the stocks. And thus Abraham having Gods promise, respected not his age, nor the deadness of Sarahs womb, but trusted in him for the obtaining of a son, and as the Apostle speaketh, against hope believed in hope, that he should become the father of many 2nations.
the three children in the firie surnace, Daniel in the Lyons den, Peter garded with Souldiers, and Paul and Silas 1when they were in the stockes. And thus Abraham hauing Gods promise, respected not his age, nor the deadnesse of Sarahs wombe, but trusted in him for the obtaining of a sonne, and as the Apostle speaketh, against hope beleeued in hope, that hee should become the father of many 2nations.
Now the means whereby we may attain unto this firm affiance, are these: The first is the often consideration of Gods saving attributes, as of his omniscience, whereby he taketh notice of all our wants and dangers; of his omnipotency, and all-sufficiency, whereby he is able to relieve and preserve us; of his providence, which in especial manner watcheth over us who are his sons and children, to dispose of all things to our 1good; of his mercy, bounty, goodness, and truth of his promises, whereby we may be assured of his good will and readiness to help us. The second means is, to observe Gods mercy and goodness in time past, showed both towards others and towards our selves, in freeing us from evil, and procuring our good. We must consider what God hath done formerly to others, assuring our selves that he is ready to do the like for us, if with them we fear and serve him, seeing he is no respectre of persons, 2but is alike to all. So David confirmed his affiance in God, by remembering his goodness towards their ancestors; Our fathers trusted in thee, 3they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them; they cried upon thee, and were delivered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. So when he could with no comfort rest upon God in his present sense and feeling, he remembered ⟨p. 107⟩Gods wonders of old, in delivering his people Israel, and drowning their 4enemies in the red Sea. And thus he saith, others would confirm their affiance by his example. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved 5him out of all his troubles. But much more will the experience of Gods mercy and goodness towards our selves, in providing for us in the time of want, and delivering and preserving us from former dangers, confirm our trust and confidence in him, seeing he is immutable in his love, and changeth 6not, though we be changed. And thus David strengthened his affiance in God, that he would give him victory over Goliath, because he had former 7experience of Gods goodness towards him, and power assisting him against the Lyon and the Bear. And the Apostle concludeth, that as the Lord had formerly delivered him out of former afflictions, so he would 8be a-like gracious still, and deliver him out of like afflictions in the time to come.
Now the meanes whereby we may attaine vnto this firme affiance, are these: The first is the often consideration of Gods sauing attributes, as of his omniscience, whereby he taketh notice of all our wants and dangers; of his omnipotencie, and all-sufficiencie, whereby hee is able to relieue and preserue vs; of his prouidence, which in especiall manner watcheth ouer vs who are his sonnes and children, to dispose of all things to our 1good; of his mercy, bounty, goodnesse, and truth of his promises, whereby we may be assured of his good will and readinesse to helpe vs. The second meanes is, to obserue Gods mercy and goodnesse in time past, shewed both towards others and towards our selues, in freeing vs from euill, and procuring our good. Wee must consider what God hath done formerly to others, assuring our selues that he is ready to doe the like for vs, if with them we feare and serue him, seeing he is no respecter of persons, 2but is alike to all. So Dauid confirmed his affiance in God, by remembring his goodnesse towards their ancestors; Our fathers trusted in thee, 3they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliuer them; they cryed vpon thee, and were deliuered; they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. So when he could with no comfort rest vpon God in his present sense and feeling, he remembred ⟨p. 107⟩Gods wonders of old, in deliuering his people Israel, and drowning their 4enemies in the red Sea. And thus he saith, others would confirme their affiance by his example. This poore man cryed, and the Lord heard him, and saued 5him out of all his troubles. But much more wil the experience of Gods mercy and goodnesse towards our selues, in prouiding for vs in the time of want, and deliuering and preseruing vs from former dangers, confirme our trust and confidence in him, seeing he is immutable in his loue, and changeth 6not, though we be changed. And thus Dauid strengthened his affiance in God, that he would giue him victory ouer Goliah, because he had former 7experience of Gods goodnesse towards him, and power assisting him against the Lyon and the Beare. And the Apostle concludeth, that as the Lord had formerly deliuered him out of former afflictions, so he would
Lastly, if we would confidently trust in God, we must be such as fear and serve him, and making conscience of our ways, do walk before him in holiness and righteousness; for with such only he hath made his Covenant of grace and protection, and such only may challenge a part in his promises of provision and preservation. So Solomon, The 1wicked flee when none pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lyon. And again, In the fear of the Lord is assured strength, and his children shall have 2hope. And the Psalmist appropriateth this confidence unto the faithful only; Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord, he is their help and shield. And 3not only those who are professedly wicked, but the close hypocrite also is excluded from it. For the hypocrites hope shall be cut off, and his trust shall be 4a Spiders web. His confidence shall be rooted out of his Tabernacle; and it shall bring him to the King of terrors.
Lastly, if we would confidently trust in God, we must be such as feare and serue him, and making conscience of our wayes, doe walke before him in holinesse and righteousnesse; for with such onely hee hath made his Couenant of grace and protection, and such only may challenge a part in his promises of prouision and preseruation. So Salomon, The 1wicked flee when none pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lyon. And againe, In the feare of the Lord is assured strength, and his children shall haue 2hope. And the Psalmist appropriateth this confidence vnto the faithfull only; Ye that feare the Lord, trust in the Lord, he is their helpe and shield. And 3not onely those who are professedly wicked, but the close hypocrite also is excluded from it. For the hypocrites hope shall be cut off, and his trust shalbe 4a Spiders web. His confidence shall be rooted out of his Tabernacle; and it shall bring him to the King of terrours.
From this affiance in God, ariseth hope; for when knowing and believing God and his saving attributes, we trust in him for the accomplishment of all his gracious promises, then do we by hope expect the accomplishment of them, even when they are deferred with patience and comfort, knowing that God is immutable in his love, and most true of his Word: with which hope we are sustained in all afflictions, that we do not faint under their burden, seeing we hope for deliverance in Gods due time, are armed against all assaults of our spiritual enemies with this helmet of salvation, in expectation of assured victory, and stayed with this anchor in our Christian course, notwithstanding all the tempestuous storms and boisterous blasts of trials and tentations. The which anchor is not fastened on the fleeting and failing sands of our own worth, works, and merits, but upon the firm ground of Gods immutable love, mercy, goodness, power and truth, which will never fail those that rest upon them; according to that of the Psalmist, They that know thy Name, 1will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. And thus Abraham hoped against hope, being fully persuaded, that what 2God had promised, he was able also to perform. And the Apostle exhorteth us to hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, because he is 3faithful that hath promised. The object of this hope, are future good things which God hath promised; as fruition of good, and freedom and deliverance from evil, which are not yet seen (for then there were no place ⟨p. 108⟩4for hope) but certainly expected in Gods good time. But the main and 5principal object of our hope, is heavenly happiness, which we shall enjoy in soul and body, at Christs coming to Judgement, whereof it is 6called the hope of salvation, and the hope of eternal life. The chief properties 7of this hope are, First, that it be patient. Secondly, that it be certain and assured: of the first the Apostle speaketh; If we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it: and in this regard calleth it 8the patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Of which patience, he telleth us 9that we have need, because God oftentimes delayeth to accomplish his promises, as though he had forgotten both us and them.
From this affiance in God, ariseth hope; for when knowing and beleeuing God and his sauing attributes, wee trust in him for the accomplishment of all his gracious promises, then doe we by hope expect the accomplishment of them, euen when they are deferred with patience and comfort, knowing that God is immutable in his loue, and most true of his Word: with which hope we are sustained in all afflictions, that wee doe not faint vnder their burthen, seeing we hope for deliuerance in Gods due time, are armed against all assaults of our spirituall enemies with this helmet of saluation, in expectation of assured victory, and stayed with this anchor in our Christian course, notwithstanding all the tempestuous stormes and boysterous blasts of trialls and tentations. The which anchor is not fastened on the fleeting and fayling sands of our owne worth, workes, and merits, but vpon the firme ground of Gods immutable loue, mercy, goodnesse, power and truth, which will neuer faile those that rest vpon them; according to that of the Psalmist, They that know thy Name, 1will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seeke thee. And thus Abraham hoped against hope, being fully perswaded, that what 2God had promised, he was able also to performe. And the Apostle exhorteth vs to hold fast the profession of our faith without wauering, because hee is 3faithfull that hath promised. The obiect of this hope, are future good things which God hath promised; as fruition of good, and freedome and deliuerance from euill, which are not yet seene (for then there were no place ⟨p. 108⟩4for hope) but certainely expected in Gods good time. But the mayne and 5principall obiect of our hope, is heauenly happinesse, which wee shall inioy in soule and body, at Christs comming to Iudgement, whereof it is 6called the hope of saluation, and the hope of eternall life. The chiefe properties 7of this hope are, First, that it be patient. Secondly, that it be certaine and assured: of the first the Apostle speaketh; If we hope for that wee see not, then doe we with patience waite for it: and in this regard calleth it
Secondly, it 1must be certain and assured, whereof it is compared to an anchor, which if it faileth in a tempest, it putteth the ship in great danger of foundering and perishing. And therefore the Apostle desireth, that the Hebrews might have full assurance of hope unto the end; which if we have, it will 2make us never to be ashamed, seeing God, upon whom we wait, will never fail to accomplish his promises. And this is that hope unto which the 3Scriptures exhort us. So the Psalmist, Waite on the Lord, be of good courage, 4and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord. And again, Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.
Secondly, it 1must be certaine and assured, whereof it is compared to an anchor, which if it fayleth in a tempest, it putteth the ship in great danger of foundring and perishing. And therefore the Apostle desireth, that the Hebrewes might haue full assurance of hope vnto the end; which if wee haue, it will 2make vs neuer to be ashamed, seeing God, vpon whom we waite, will neuer faile to accomplish his promises. And this is that hope vnto which the 3Scriptures exhort vs. So the Psalmist, Waite on the Lord, be of good courage, 4and hee shall strengthen thine heart; waite, I say, on the Lord. And againe, Rest in the Lord, and waite patiently for him.
Which that we may labour after, let us consider, that it is most profitable and necessary unto all that will lead a godly and Christian life. For it is not only a part thereof, as being one of the three principal virtues which the Apostle commendeth unto us, but a notable means, whereby 1we are moved and enabled to labour after all other virtues, and to put in practice all other duties, because we are assured of the fruit of our labour, and hopefully expect the obtaining of it; without which hope we would be utterly discouraged, sit still and do nothing. Again, this hope maketh us not to be ashamed, in middest of all reproaches and disgraces which we suffer for Christs sake, and causeth us with him to run with patience 2the race which is set before us, in expectation of that joy which is set before us. It maketh us not only patient, but joyful in afflictions, yea even to glory 3in our rejoicing, in hope of the glory of God, in all our tribulations. It confirmeth our faith from which it springeth, and maketh us cheerful in all Christian duties. It quickeneth and rejoiceth our drooping hearts, and not only maketh the way of godliness delightful unto us, but us also pleasing and accepted of God. It is an helmet of salvation, to defend us 4against our spiritual enemies, yea it self saveth us, as the Apostle speaketh, 5because it moveth God to save us: for as the Psalmist saith, He is the Saviour of them that hope in him. Finally, it maketh us blessed in the assured 6expectation of our blessedness. For happy is he that hath the God of Jacob 7for his help, and whose hope is in the Lord his God. Whereas contrariwise, without this hope, we are as the Apostle telleth us, of all men most miserable, 8having neither the comforts of this life, which worldlings enjoy, nor expectation of better in the life to come. Let us therefore labour after this hope, and use carefully all good means whereby we may attain unto it. And seeing it is the gift of God, and grace of his holy Spirit, let us in the 9first place beg it at his hands, by frequent and fervent prayer, assuring our selves, that he who is the God of our hope, will not deny to give it unto ⟨p. 109⟩10us. Secondly, let us meditate often upon Gods saving attributes, of power, mercy, goodness, truth, &c.
Which that we may labour after, let vs consider, that it is most profitable and necessary vnto all that will leade a godly and Christian life. For it is not onely a part thereof, as being one of the three principall vertues which the Apostle commendeth vnto vs, but a notable meanes, whereby 1we are mooued and inabled to labour after all other vertues, and to put in practice all other duties, because we are assured of the fruit of our labour, and hopefully expect the obtaining of it; without which hope we would be vtterly discouraged, sit still and doe nothing. Againe, this hope maketh vs not to bee ashamed, in middest of all reproches and disgraces which we suffer for Christs sake, and causeth vs with him to runne with patience 2the race which is set before vs, in expectation of that ioy which is set before vs. It maketh vs not onely patient, but ioyfull in afflictions, yea euen to glory 3in our reioycing, in hope of the glory of God, in all our tribulations. It confirmeth our faith from which it springeth, and maketh vs cheerefull in all Christian duties. It quickeneth and reioyceth our drooping hearts, and not onely maketh the way of godlinesse delightfull vnto vs, but vs also pleasing and accepted of God. It is an helmet of saluation, to defend vs 4against our spirituall enemies, yea it selfe saueth vs, as the Apostle speaketh, 5because it moueth God to saue vs: for as the Psalmist saith, He is the Sauiour of them that hope in him. Finally, it maketh vs blessed in the assured 6expectation of our blessednesse. For happy is hee that hath the God of Iacob 7for his helpe, and whose hope is in the Lord his God. Whereas contrariwise, without this hope, we are as the Apostle telleth vs, of all men most miserable, 8hauing neither the comforts of this life, which worldlings inioy, nor expectation of better in the life to come. Let vs therefore labour after this hope, and vse carefully all good meanes whereby we may attaine vnto it. And seeing it is the gift of God, and grace of his holy Spirit, let vs in the
first place beg it at his hands, by frequent and feruent prayer, assuring our selues, that he who is the God of our hope, will not deny to giue it vnto
