A20762:561
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
Book 2 › Chapter 10 › Section 2: §. Sect. 2 Of the profit of charity, in respect of our neighbours.
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. 2 Of the profit of charity, in respect of our neighbours.
Secondly, charity is to be embraced of us as the most profitable virtue, both to others and our selves. To others, because it maketh us willing and 1ready to perform all Christian duties of holiness and righteousness, which we desire of others to be done unto us; for it suffereth with all patience and long-suffering all wrongs and injuries, and seeketh to gain them who are thus injurious, by all duties of love. It is so kind, that being provoked, it seeketh not revenge, but laboureth to overcome evil with goodness. It envieth not the prosperity of those that are above us, but causeth us to rejoice with them in all their happiness. It is not puffed up with pride, nor vaunteth it self above those who are inferior unto us, either in virtues, or in those rewards, with which God in this life crowneth them. It doth not behave it self unseemly, but observeth a just decorum, and a 2modest and sober course in all conditions. It seeketh not her own, but jointly advanceth our neighbours good, in many things departing from her own right, when greater benefit may redound to others; it is not easily provoked to unjust anger, but beareth with many faults for their better reformation, in consideration of humane frailty and infirmity. It thinketh no evil, nor intendeth hurt unto any, neither is it suspicious to take any thing in the worst part, which may admit of a more favourable interpretation. It rejoiceth not in iniquity, nor sporteth it self in other mens falls and infirmities, 3but rather in the sense of humane frailty; it lamenteth their sins, and desireth their repentance and reformation, that they may be saved. And contrariwise it rejoiceth, when as they approve their profession of truth in their practice of righteousness. It beareth all things with meekness 4and patience, and revengeth not injuries, but leaveth vengeance to God,