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

Now the means whereby we may be armed against all sins in general, and these in particular, are many. The first and principal, is to work our hearts to a deadly and unreconcilable hatred against them, by meditating of the infinite Majesty and goodness of God, against whom they are committed, how great and glorious he is in himself, and how good and gracious unto us, who hath given us all the good things which we enjoy or hope for, yea his chiefest Jewell, his best beloved Son to die for us: By considering that it is above all things most hateful and displeasing unto God, and maketh all creatures in whom it is most odious, though never so much beloved of him; As we see in the example of the rejected Jews; Adam cast out of Paradise, the Son of God himself, who bearing our sins, did bear all his Fathers wrath, and could not be reconciled, till by his sufferings he had made full satisfaction to his Justice. That it is most heinous and capital, being committed against so infinite a Majesty, as appeareth by those dreadful and eternal punishments, which Gods righteous judgement inflicteth on those that commit it, in this world and the world to come, that it is the greatest folly in the world, hazarding the eternal salvation of our most precious souls, which are of more worth then many Monarchies, and plunging them into hell and everlasting destruction, for the momentany and uncertain fruition of earthly vanities. That it pierced the Lord of life, and nailed him to the Cross, causing him to be condemned that came to save us, and to be put to a shameful death, who came to give unto us everlasting life. That the deep dye of it so stained our souls, that nothing could wash away the filthy spots that it left behind it, but the precious blood of Christ. That it vexeth and grieveth the good Spirit of God dwelling in us, & by defiling our bodies and souls which are his Temples, doth make him weary of his lodging. That above all things it delighteth the devil, as being the child and darling of this hellish parent; and maketh us to become fit rooms for him to revel in, and to pass his time with most delight. Let us consider of the manifold evils which it causeth unto us, both privative and positive, in this life and in the life to come. For it depriveth us of all good, and bringeth with it all evil.