A20762:505
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 duties required in hearing, and after we have heard.
§. Sect. 5 Of the duties required in hearing, and after we haue heard.
The second sort of duties respect the action of hearing it self, unto which is required, that we set our selves in the presence of God, and 1hear the Word preached, not as the word of mortal man, but as the Word of the everliving God; with all fear and reverence, with all diligence and attention, with alacrity and cheerfulness, humility and a good conscience, avoiding (as much as lieth in us) all distractions, wandering thoughts, private reading, dullness, drowsiness and carnal weariness. Finally, with hungering and thirsting after the food of our souls, and earnest desire to profit by it. To which end we must apply and fit our selves to every thing which is spoken to profit by it, whether it be doctrine, 2confutation, reproof or consolation, receive the Word into good and honest hearts, and there reserve it as a precious treasure for our use in the whole course of our lives and conversation. The third and last sort are those duties which are to be performed after we have heard; which are, First, to meditate on that which hath been delivered unto us, that we may imprint it in our memories, and work it into our hearts. Secondly, conference with others, that we may be mutual helpers for the understanding, remembering, embracing and practising of that which we have heard. Thirdly, that we sanctify the Word unto our use by effectual ⟨p. 127⟩prayer, desiring that God will give a blessing unto it, and make it effectual by his Spirit for the enlightening of our minds, the sanctifying of our hearts and affections, and the reforming and amending of our sinful lives. Lastly, we must on every fit occasion call to mind what we have