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

635 5 Special directions for the choice of fit Authors, which may help us in the practice of godliness. 636 CAP. XXIX. Of our preparation to this exercise of Reading, and what is required in it. 638 Sect. 1. That we must come with reverence to this holy exercise, and bring faith unto it. 638 2 That we must bring honest hearts, and earnest desires to profit by this exercise. 639 3 That we must come with a purpose to make good use of all we read. 639 4 That we must pray before we read. 640 CAP. XXX. Of the duties required in the action of reading, that we may profit by it. 641 Sect. 1. Of the ends at which we must aim in our reading. 641 2 That we must observe the theme and argument. 642 3 That we must observe a due order in our reading. 642 4 That the devout Reader is not to read many Books of the same argument, but to make choice of some which are best. 643 5 That we must labour to understand what we read. 644 6 That we must join with our reading serious Meditation. 646 7 That we must read with affection and devotion, applying all to use. 647 8 That we must read orderly, with diligence and constancy. 647 9 Of the fittest time for this exercise. 649 10 Of the woeful neglect of it. 650 CAP. XXXI. That reading is a notable means to further us in the duties of a godly life. 651 Sect. 1. That reading is a profitable exercise. 651 2 That by it the mind is much enlightened in the knowledge of Gods will. 651 3 Of many other benefits which reading bringeth. 652 CAP. XXXII. Of the choice of our company, by which we shun the society of the wicked, and consort our selves with the godly. 653 Sect. 1. That we must carefully avoid the society of the wicked. 653 2 The Scriptures often warn us to avoid them. 655 3 Examples of the faithful to the same purpose. 655 4 Reasons moving us to shun evil company; first, because it is a strong tentation unto evil. 656 5 Other reasons to the same purpose. 657 6 That we must consort our selves with the godly. 658 7 That good company taketh away the tediousness of good exercises. 659 8 That good company preserveth us from falling into many sins, and inciteth us to many duties. 659 9 That by good company we are fitted to perform Christian duties one towards another. 660 CAP. XXXIII. Of the extraordinary means of a godly life, and first, of feasting and solemn thanksgiving. 662 Sect. 1.

635 5 Speciall directions for the choyce of fit Authors, which may helpe vs in the practice of godlinesse. 636 CAP. XXIX. Of our preparation to this exercise of Reading, and what is required in it. 638 Sect. 1. That wee must come with reuerence to this holy exercise, and bring faith vnto it. 638 2 That we must bring honest hearts, and earnest desires to profit by this exercise. 639 3 That wee must come with a purpose to make good vse of all wee reade. 639 4 That we must pray before wee reade. 640 CAP. XXX. Of the duties required in the action of reading, that we may profit by it. 641 Sect. 1. Of the ends at which wee must ayme in our reading. 641 2 That we must obserue the theame and argument. 642 3 That wee must obserue a due order in our reading. 642 4 That the deuout Reader is not to reade many Bookes of the same argument, but to make choyce of some which are best. 643 5 That wee must labour to vnderstand what we reade. 644 6 That we must ioyne with our reading serious Meditation. 646 7 That wee must reade with affection and deuotion, applying all to vse. 647 8 That wee must reade orderly, with diligence and constancy. 647 9 Of the fittest time for this exercise. 649 10 Of the wofull neglect of it. 650 CAP. XXXI. That reading is a notable meanes to further vs in the duties of a godly life. 651 Sect. 1. That reading is a profitable exercise. 651 2 That by it the minde is much inlightened in the knowledge of Gods will. 651 3 Of many other benefits which reading bringeth. 652 CAP. XXXII. Of the choyce of our company, by which we shunne the society of the wicked, and consort our selues with the godly. 653 Sect. 1. That we must carefully auoyd the society of the wicked. 653 2 The Scriptures often warne vs to auoyd them. 655 3 Examples of the faithfull to the same purpose. 655 4 Reasons moouing vs to shunne euill company; first, because it is a strong tentation vnto euill. 656 5 Other reasons to the same purpose. 657 6 That we must consort our selues with the godly. 658 7 That good company taketh away the tediousnesse of good exercises. 659 8 That good company preserueth vs from falling into many sinnes, and inciteth vs to many duties. 659 9 That by good company we are fitted to performe Christian duties one towards another. 660 CAP. XXXIII. Of the extraordinary meanes of a godly life, and first, of feasting and solemne thankesgiuing. 662 Sect. 1.