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.

CAP. VI.

Of externall impediments whereby the world hindreth vs in the duties of a godly life; and first, slaunders and derision.

§. Sect. 1 How we may be armed against the slaunders of the world.

ANd these are the impediments, which are internall in the mindes and iudgements of wicked worldlings. Those which are externall, arise from their words and actions. Concerning the former, the world seeketh to discourage all those which truely feare God in their profession and holy practice by their contumelies and foule aspersions, slaunders and reproches. For when they haue nothing in truth to obiect against them, in respect of their holy and vnblameable conuersation; then

imitating their father the deuill, who is a false accuser of the brethren, they loade them with calumnies and slaunders, either by laying to their charge the things which they neuer did, or reporting things materially true after a false and malicious manner, that with these ob∣loquies and reproches they may discourage them in their Christian courses, and discountenance and disgrace euen their best actions. Thus Ahab accused Elias to be a troubler of Israel; and Amazias * 1.1 Amos to haue conspired against the King in the midst of the house of Israel, * 1.2 and that the Land was not able to beare his words. Thus they slaundered Stephen, that he had spoken blasphemous words against Moses and against * 1.3 God. Paul and Silas, that they were troublers of the Citie and State, that * 1.4 they did contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying, that there was another King, one Iesus. That they perswaded men to worship God contrarie to the Law. That * 1.5 they taught all men euery where, against the People, Law and Temple, and had polluted that holy place by bringing Greekes into it. And thus by Ter∣tullus they slaundered Paul, affirming that he was a pestilent fellow, and a mouer of sedition among the Iewes throughout the world, &c. Yea, so malig∣nant are these blacke mouthes, that they dared to cast foule and false * 1.6 aspersions vpon our Sauiour Christ himselfe, and blot and blemish the white and pure robe of his innocencie, with their vniust and re∣prochfull calumnies. And such measure his Saints and seruants found at the hands of wicked men, in the time of the persecuting Empe∣rours; such haue they found since, and shall doe vnto the end of the world. Against which discouragemenst, if we would be armed, wee must remember, that this needeth not to seeme any strange thing vn∣to vs, seeing our Sauiour Christ hath foretold, that this should be the lot of all his seruants, to be reuiled and slaundered for his sake and the Gospels. That our Head and Lord hath borne these reproches for our sake, and therefore wee his members and seruants must not thinke much, if wee suffer the like for him and his truth. That there was neuer any so deare vnto God, nor innocent amongst men, who haue not beene whipped with the scourge of malicious tongues; and therefore we must not thinke to goe alone vpon earth, but must here beare them company, if euer wee hope to enioy their society in that heauenly happinesse. Secondly, if we would not be discouraged with * 1.7 the obloquies and slanders of wicked men, let vs preserue our innocen∣cie, and walke vnblameably in this euill generation, taking great care so to carry our selues in all Holinesse & Righteousnesse of conuersation, that no man may speake euill of vs without a lie; and so the testimony of a good conscience will more comfort and support vs in all our Christian courses, then the slaunders of wicked men shall be able to daunt and dismay vs. And this is the best way to conuince them of fals∣hood, not onely vnto others, but euen to their owne consciences, and euen to make them like and loue (if they belong vnto God) the Religi∣on which we professe. Neither can any thing more powerfully beate backe these poysonous darts of slanderous reports, then the brestplate of righteousnesse and integrity, so as they shall neuer wound our heart, though for a time they may blemish the brightnesse of our fame. No

verball Apologies can so cleare and iustifie vs, and conuince our aduer∣saries of fals-hood and malice, as this reall confutation of an innocent and vnblameable life. Finally, let vs consider, that they are pronoun∣ced blessed by our Sauiour, who are thus reuiled and slandered vniustly and wrongfully; and the more we are thus disgraced and dishonoured in this life, the more wee shall be aduanced and glorified in the life to come; In which regard there is no iust cause of mourning, when wee are thus falsely traduced for Christs sake and the Gospell: Yea, rather we should reioyce and be exceeding glad, because our reward is great in heauen, * 1.8 as our Sauiour hath taught vs.

§. Sect. 2 Of derision and scoffes, which the world vseth to discourage the godly.

The second impediment is the derision, scoffes and scornes of wic∣ked worldlings, whereby they disgrace the persons of the godly, and discountenance and discourage them in all religious and holy duties. The which they doe either by their words, as in taunting speeches, making a iest of their profession and holy practice, their hearing; rea∣ding, and studying of the Scriptures, praying, godly communication, and such religious exercises; or by branding them with opprobrious names, as Lollards, Hugonotes, Puritans, Sectaries, Bible-bearers, Holy brethren and such like; or else by scornefull gestures, as nodding, sha∣king the head, mowing, ieering, laughing at them, and the like. The which is a great impediment that hindreth many (especially such as are of milde, modest and ingenuous natures) from making any outward profession of Gods true Religion, and performing of any religious ex∣ercises; or at least, to proceed in them with much discouragement and disquietnesse of minde; as appeareth by those pittifull complaints which they haue from time to time made vnto God, of these indig∣nities offred vnto them by their spitefull aduersaries. Thus the Church complaineth, that Gods enemies did hisse and gnash their teeth against * 1.9 them; that they were a derision to all the people, and their song all the day. And that in their bitter mourning and day of affliction, they in a taunting maner required of them, that they would be merry and sing one of the * 1.10 songs of Sion. That they were become a reproch to their neighbours, a scorne and derision to them that were round about them. That they were made a by-word * 1.11 among the Heathen, a shaking of the head among the people. Thus Iob com∣playneth; I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth vpon God, & he an∣swereth * 1.12 him: The iust and vpright man is laughed to scorne. So Dauid: The proud haue had me greatly in derision, with hypocriticall mockers at feasts they gnashed vpon me with their teeth. They that did sit in the gate, spake against me, * 1.13 and I was the song of the drunkards. And speaking of himselfe as a tipe of Christ, he saith; All they that see me, laugh me to scorne, they shoote out the lip * 1.14 & shake the head. By this, Iobs misery was much aggrauated, when as wic∣ked * 1.15 men made him their song and by-word. And Ieremie brought to such impatience, that he resolued to speake no more in the name of the Lord, because he was in derision dayly, & euery one reproched and mocked him. * 1.16

§. Sect. 3 How wee may be armed against the derisions, and scornes of worldlings.

But howsoeuer this is a great and grieuous tentation, yet we must take heed that wee be not so discouraged thereby, as to desist, or so much as slacken our pace in the waies of godlinesse; but though we sometime stumble at it a & catch a fall, yet we must not lie still & quite

giue ouer our profession and holy practice, but rise vp againe, and goe in our course with renued resolution: According to the exam∣ple of the Church of God, who though they were somewhat daun∣ted and grieued with the scoffes and derisions of the wicked, yet they * 1.17 did not forget God, nor deale falsely in his couenants; Their heart turned not backe, neither did their steps turne from his way. And of holy Dauid, who professeth, that though the proud had him greatly in derision, yet he * 1.18 declyned not from Gods Law. Vnto which resolution that wee may at∣taine, let vs consider first, that herein no new thing doth betide vs, but that which all Gods Saints and seruants haue suffered at the hands of the wicked from time to time. For thus Ismael derided Isaac, and * 1.19 (as it is probable) the promises of God made vnto him, and all the faithfull in his seed. Michol scoffed at the zeale of holy Dauid, * 1.20 when she saw him dancing before the Arke. Thus the Israelites scor∣ned Gods Prophets and messengers that spake vnto them in the Word * 1.21 of the Lord: And made themselues sport with Ezechiels Sermons, * 1.22 as if he had beene some pleasant Musician. Finally, thus Sanballat * 1.23 and Tobiah derided Nehemiah and the Iewes, when they set them se∣riously to doe the worke of the Lord. And the Iewes scoffed at the * 1.24 Apostles, when they spake with strange tongues the wonderfull workes of God, as though they had beene drunke with new wine. Yea, our Sauiour Christ himselfe, in whom all grauity and wisdome shined, and in whose actions Might and Maiesty, Grace and Good∣nesse clearely appeared, was notwithstanding no whit priuiledged and exempted from the derision and scornes of wicked worldlings. For the Pharisees laughed at his diuine Sermons. Herod and the soul∣diers in scorne clothe him in white and purple, crowne him with thornes, bow the knee before him, and flowtingly salute him as King of the Iewes. yea, in his bitter passion (which he suffering as in∣nocent, * 1.25 should haue drawne from all men euen teares of blood) they sported themselues, nodded their heads, and made themselues merry with his lamentable crie and pittifull complaint, My God, my God, * 1.26 why hast thou forsaken me? Now if they haue done these things to a greene tree, fruitfull in all grace and goodnesse, what will they doe to a drie and barraine? If they haue thus scoffed and derided our Lord and Ma∣ster, let vs not, who are his poore and vnworthy seruants, thinke much to be thus vsed: If he haue suffred all these taunts and scornes for our sakes, why should wee thinke it much, to suffer with patience and ioy the like or greater (if it were possible) for his sake and the Gos∣pels? Yea, if he haue meekely borne our sinnes and sorrowes, and shed his precious blood, and indured the heauie wrath of God due vnto vs, that he might saue and deliuer vs out of the hands of all our enemies; how vngratefull are we for all his loue, if wee will not for his sake indure a taunt, a spitefull scorne or reprochfull name, but chuse rather to neglect the duties of his seruice, and to runne with wicked worldlings vnto the same excesse of riot? So oft therefore as the scoffes of prophane men discourage and dis-hearten vs in Chri∣stian duties, let vs animate and strengthen our resolutions in them,

by looking, with the eye of faith, vpon our Sauiour Christ, hanging na∣ked vpon the Crosse, and dying a shamefull death for our sinnes, contem∣ning this disgrace, and swallowing vp this shame with the infinitenesse of his loue. Let vs be content to accompany him in despising these despites, that we may also accompany him in glory and happinesse; according to that of the Apostle; Let vs runne with patience, the race which is set before * 1.27 vs, looking vnto Iesus, the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the ioy that was set before him, indured the Crosse, despised the shame, and is set downe at the right hand of the Throne of God. For consider him that indured such con∣tradiction of sinners against himselfe, lest wee bee weary and faint in our minds.

§. Sect. 4 Of the neces∣sity of Chri∣stian Apology and profession of the truth.

Secondly, let vs consider, that this Christian apology in the profession of the truth, and practice of all holy and Christian duties, is a matter of * 1.28 vrgent necessity, which as neerly concerneth vs, as the euerlasting salua∣tion of our soules. For they that will be Christs Disciples, must take vp their crosse daily, and follow him; and bee contented, for his sake and the Gospels, to forsake kindred and friends, houses, lands, and life it selfe, if they be called thereunto. Now how shall we with patience and constancy indure for Christs sake, wounds and stabs, if wee shrinke for words and scoffes? How shall wee euer hope to suffer rackes and gibbets, fire and sword, for the profession of the truth, and the practice of Christian duties; if we be daunted with euery small disgrace, and discouraged in them with reprochfull names, and scornefull taunts? Let vs thinke with our selues, that if we cannot indure causelesse shame before men, which is ac∣companyed with true glory, how shall we be able to beare that euerlast∣ing shame and confusion of face, when as Christ shall be ashamed to ac∣knowledge * 1.29 vs for his, before his Father, his holy Saints, and blessed An∣gels, because we haue been ashamed of him and his truth? Now that wee may performe this duty, which is so necessary, with cheerfulnesse and de∣light, and contemne the derisions and scornings of gracelesse men, when they scoffe at vs for the performance of Christian duties, blushing for shame that we should be thus ashamed; let vs consider, that when wee are most derided of the wicked world, for the conscionable performance of any Christian duties, we are then most approued of God; and there∣fore when they seeke to daunt vs with their scoffes, and to driue vs from our Christian hold with gibes and reproches; let vs oppose this as a shield of strength against them, saying vnto our soules, My defence is * 1.30 of God, who saueth the vpright in heart. Let vs comfort and cheere our selues with the peaceable testimony of a good conscience, and our in∣ward ioy in well-doing; and with the applause of the holy Angels who looke vpon vs, and the approbation and praise of all that feare God. Let vs remember, that they are pronounced blessed by our Sauiour, who are * 1.31 thus abused for righteousnesse sake, and that they shall raigne with him in his glory, who haue suffered with him in these disgraces: that then, for * 1.32 their shame, they shall receiue double honour, and for confusion, they shall reioyce in their portion, and euerlasting ioy shall be vnto them. In which respect, the Apostle Peter exhorteth vs to reioyce, in as much as we are partakers of Christs * 1.33 sufferings, that when his glory shall be reuealed, we may be glad also with excee∣ding

ioy. And therefore let no scoffes and scornes discourage vs, but let vs, with the Apostle, approoue our selues in all things, by honour, and dishonour, * 1.34 euill report, and good report; and accompany our Sauiour Christ bearing his * 1.35 reproch, that we may accompany him in glory; for we haue heere no abiding City, but we seeke one to come, as the Apostle speaketh.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. King. 18. 17.
• * 1.2

  Amos 7. 10.
• * 1.3

  Act. 6. 11.
• * 1.4

  Act. 16. 20. & 17. 7. & 18. 13.
• * 1.5

  Act. 21. 28. & 24. 5.
• * 1.6

  Matth. 12▪ 24. & 26. 61. Luk. 23. 2.
• * 1.7

  Nos modò id agamus, vt malè de nobis nemo loqui absque mendatio possit. Hieronym. ad Celantiam. 1. Pet. 3. 16. & 2. 12.
• * 1.8

  Matth. 5. 11, 12
• * 1.9

  Lam. 2. 16. & 3. 14.
• * 1.10

  Psal. 137. 3.
• * 1.11

  Psal. 79. 4.
• * 1.12

  Psal. 119. 5. & 35, 16.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 69. 12.
• * 1.14

  Psal. 22. 7.
• * 1.15

  Iob 30. 9.
• * 1.16

  Ier. 20. 7, 8.
• * 1.17

  Psal. 44. 13, 17, 18.
• * 1.18

  Psal. 119. 51.
• * 1.19

  Gen. 21 9.
• * 1.20

  2 Sam. 6. 16.
• * 1.21

  2. Chro. 36. 15, 16.
• * 1.22

  Ezek 33. 32.
• * 1.23

  Neh. 4. 1, 4.
• * 1.24

  Act. 2. 13.
• * 1.25

  Luk. 23. 13.
• * 1.26

  Matth. ••7. 27. to 4••. Luk. 23. 31. Matth. 10. 24, 25.
• * 1.27

  Heb. 12. 2, 3.
• * 1.28

  Luk. 9. 23.
• * 1.29

  Math. 10. 33. Mark. 8. 38.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 7. 10.
• * 1.31

  Mat. 5. 10, 11. Luk. 6. 22.
• * 1.32

  Esa. 61. 7.
• * 1.33

  1. Pet. 4. 14.
• * 1.34

  2. Cor. 6. 8.
• * 1.35

  Heb. 13. 13, 14.