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

All which, as it evidently showeth the excellency, profit, and necessity of walking in this way of holiness and righteousness, (as I shall more plentifully prove hereafter) so also how necessary and profitable it is for Gods Ministers, who are appointed for guides unto others, that they do not only themselves walk in this way, and shine as lights and patterns of godliness in their holy and Christian conversation; but also that they shine unto them in the light of their doctrine, teaching them the way which they should choose, and what the acceptable will of God is, unto which they should conform themselves in all holy obedience, persuading and exhorting them to go forward when they are dull and sluggish, that their words may (as the Wise man speaketh) serve for goads to hasten their speed; and admonishing and reproving them when they leave ¹this way, and wander in the by-ways of sin and wickedness, without which, the godly life of the Minister is not sufficient, and his exemplary actions but dumb signs, and oftentimes (through humane frailty) erroneous patterns, if the Word preached do not give light and life unto them. In which regard, among divers of my worthy and godly brethren, who have profitably laboured in this Argument, and offered unto God their free-will offerings of great value, I likewise have adventured to cast my poor mite into this Treasury, that I may not only hereby more and more stir up and provoke my self to walk more carefully, conscionably, and cheerfully, in this path of piety, but also may, as much as lieth