A20762:754
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 That we must necessarily arm our selves against all sin, and the reasons of it.
§. Sect. 1 That we must necessarily arme our selues against all sin, and the reasons of it.
The fourth main duty, daily to be performed, is to arm and strengthen our selves daily against sin; and devote our souls and bodies wholly to Gods service, in the performance of all Christian duties which may be pleasing in his sight. Concerning the former: It is most necessary that we continually arm our selves against sin, and gather daily new strength, to withstand and mortify our corruptions. First, because Satan like a roaring 1Lyon, walketh continually about, seeking to devour us, laying at all times and in all places, his nets and snares of perdition, and many baits of worldly vanities, and seals of evil examples, to allure us to stoop and give over our heavenly flight, that so he may catch and ensnare us to our destruction. Secondly, because the world, as a strong enemy, daily joineth with him, labouring one while with her smiles and favours; her allurements ⟨p. 201⟩and proffers of prosperity, to entice us to follow those patterns and precedents of evil, which she setteth before us; and another while with frowns and threats, afflictions and persecutions, to thrust us by main force into sin. Thirdly, because we nourish continually a secret traitor in our bosoms, which is daily ready to betray us into their hands, even our own flesh and corrupt nature, which is prone to all evil, and taketh delight in nothing more then in glutting it self with the pleasures of sin. So that no sooner do we give over fighting, but we are presently foiled; no sooner do we desist rowing and tugging against the stream of our natural corruptions, but they presently carry us down with a swift course, into some one or other sinful action. Fourthly, because many are the wiles and deceits of sin, which will easily circumvent us, if we do not daily observe and labour to defeat them. One while they will pretend friendship, and that they will do us good; or at least, that they are innocent, and will not hurt us; and at another time necessity, that we cannot live without them, or if we do, a life no better then death, uncheerful and uncomfortable. Sometime they will plead custom and prescription, which entereth them into possession (as it were) by course of Law. And if we can answer this, they will offer themselves like guests, craving but one nights lodging, with promise then to be gone: