A20762:896
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. 3 That we must diligently read the Scriptures, and the great profit of this exercise.
§. Sect. 3 That we must diligently reade the Scriptures, and the great profit of this exercise.
Unto prayer and praising of God by singing of Psalms, we are to adjoin another religious exercise, which is reading of the Scriptures and other holy writings; of which we will only here speak, as it is a daily duty to be performed of us, referring the more full handling of it unto another place, when we are to entreat of the means whereby we may be enabled to lead a godly life. Here let it suffice to show, that it is a duty no day to be neglected, if we can borrow any time from other necessary employments, and find any convenient leisure and fit opportunity to perform it. For whereas we should labour after a daily increase in spiritual graces, there is scarce any means more effectual for this purpose; seeing it is a notable help for the enlightening of our minds in the knowledge of God and his will, according unto which we are to frame our lives; for the Word of God is a lamp unto our eyes, and a light unto our paths; it enlighteneth the 1eyes, and giveth understanding unto the simple. It giveth wisdom to the ignorant, ⟨p. 243⟩and to the young man knowledge and discretion. It is a singular help for the strengthening of our faith, when as we have daily before our eyes the covenant of grace, and the sweet promises of the Gospel made unto us in Jesus Christ; and observe the infinite mercies of God extended to all, without respect of persons who have believed and trusted in him. It much inflameth our love towards God, when in reading of them we observe his love towards us; and maketh us zealous of his glory, when we take notice of the infinite bounty of our Lord and Master, and what a rich rewarder he is of our poor and imperfect service. It will serve for a looking-glass, wherein we may see our spots and spiritual deformities, and be directed also by it to reform and amend them. It is a fit guide in the time of prosperity, which will teach us to use Gods blessings aright, so as they may be, not only truly comfortable in themselves, but also as they are pledges of Gods love, and earnest pennies of our salvation. It will be our comforter in our adversity, whilst it teacheth us so to profit by them, as that they may be signs of our adoption, and notable means to assure us of Gods love and our own salvation.