A20762:635
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. 11 Of the means enabling us unto the obedience of this Commandment.
§. Sect. 11 Of the meanes inabling vs vnto the obedience of this Commandement.
The means whereby we may be enabled to yield obedience to this Commandment, are of two sorts, first, such as tend to the attaining and preserving of the pureness of the heart, which are, First, to walk with God, seeking to approve our hearts unto him, who searcheth and trieth as well our secret thoughts and inclinations, as our outward words and actions. Secondly, to observe and watch over our hearts and senses, that no evil ⟨p. 162⟩concupiscence do arise in us, or enter into us, or if they do arise, or be suggested, that we do not admit them, or forthwith extinguish and quench them. Secondly, to watch over our selves, that no evil concupiscence do arise in us, or enter into us, to which end a twofold care is needful, 1. When we are awake, to keep our minds occupied in good and holy meditations, and exercised about lawful things, not suffering them to be idle, or to wander about things vain & unlawful. 2. When we are to sleep, that we commend our souls into the hands of God, desiring him to keep them safe from tentations, and pure from concupiscences. Thirdly, to observe and guard our senses (especially our sight) by whose ministry 1the objects of concupiscence are represented to the mind. Fourthly, that we put on, and keep fast buckled unto us the whole spiritual Armour of God, which is mighty to cast down imaginations, and to subdue evil thoughts. And finally, that we frequently use fervent and effectual prayer unto almighty God, that he will assist and govern us with his holy Spirit, against all tentations and suggestions of the devil, the world, and our own flesh.