A20762:661
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. 1 Of the daily renewing of our covenant with God, by the renewing of our faith and repentance.
§. Sect. 1 Of the daily renewing of our couenant with God, by the renewing of our faith and repentance.
BY the testimonies and reasons before alleged, we have made it evident, that it is not sufficient to serve God by fits and at sometimes, neglecting his service, and serving the world and our own lusts at another; but that the daily exercise of a godly life, in the continual performance of all Christian duties, is most profitable and necessary. And now it remaineth that we give some directions, for the well-performing of this daily exercise. To which end, we are to know that these duties, wherein we are daily to be exercised, are of two sorts. First, general, which are not only every day necessarily to be in some degree and measure performed, but also to be observed in every part of the day, and in all the particular acts and exercises of it, as occasion serveth. The second more special, and belonging more principally and properly unto the divers parts and several occasions of every day. The former are more internal and spiritual ⟨p. 170⟩between God and us, serving to set our hearts in due frame, and to make them constant and resolute to consecrate our selves wholly to Gods service, and in all things to please him. The latter more external for the most part, and visible, which are the outward exercises proceeding from the other, and (as it were) the pleasant fruits which spring from those inward and hidden roots. The first main duty, which ought to be of every Christian daily and duly performed, is to confirm, and in some sort to renew the Covenant of grace between God and us in Jesus Christ, wherein God for his part doth of his free grace promise the remission of all our sins, his spiritual graces, his favour and reconciliation, justification and adoption, his holy Spirit with all spiritual and temporal gifts and graces in this world, and everlasting life and salvation in the world to come, in and for his Son Christ. And we for our part do promise and covenant, that we will receive and embrace Christ with all these benefits by a lively faith, and bring forth the fruits thereof in hearty repentance and new obedience. The which Covenant, is the main ground and foundation of all the good things we receive from God in this life, and of all the joy and comfort which we take in them; and of our future hopes and happiness in the life to come.