A guide to the godly, or, The dayly meditations of Returne Hebdon Gentleman who for his conscience (through the tyrany of the Bishops) suffered many years imprisonment in the Kings-Bench and their remained till death : being very useful for instruction of all those that desire to walke in the paths of Jesus Christ.

The sixth day of the week. (Book 6)

IN my sleepe by night, I was instructed in the righteous judgements of our God, by com∣paring them with the judgements of men, thus. There are diverse States of governement in the world, and these all have their Religion se∣verall under their owne authority. If any of these Kingdomes doe send forth their spirituall authority to condemne and execute all within their Dominion, which (as they terme them) are Heretickes, Schismatickes, and Rebells a∣gainst the present religion or worship of God, constituted by their Authority: at the publi∣shing of this judgement, all that are guilty in their Consciences doe flee and hide themselves as from men, whereas all that are faithfull in that Religion, and devour in that will-wor∣ship, doe not scare but are more bold and con∣fident under the power of that God, knowing that every man shall be examined by name, whe∣ther he be Hereticke; if he be so found, it is examined, whether hee will repent, and con∣forme

to their will, and not one shall perish without good tryall.

Such is the estate of the Kingdome of God our Creator, in the authority of his Christ, those of the world whose hearts condemne them of rebellion against the World, and will of Majestistie, and doe feare, and shift to put off his excention, whereas all that repent, and are reconciled to him in all things, and know the reason of his judgement, are safe from feare of the evill which is sent against those which are from their Maker. For if men be so just, as nor to condemne one that is no rebell, or that will repent: how shall we thinke that the executioners of the judgement of God in the plague, warre, or famine, are carelesse to destroy any one without great cause.