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.

A priuate Prayer for the Morning.

O Lord our God, most glorious in maiesty, and omnipotent in power, who fillest heauen and earth with thy presence, and yet in a more speciall manner vouchsafest to dwell with those who are of a broken heart and contrite spirit, to heare and helpe them in all their necessities; I thy poore humble seruant, in the mediation of Iesus Christ, doe make bold to approch into thy glorious and dreadfull presence, that I may lay open before thee my wretched estate and condition, by reason of my mani∣fold and grieuous sinnes, and those fearefull punishments, both tempo∣rall and eternall, vnto which by their guilt they haue most iustly obli∣ged mee. For though thou diddest create me holy and righteous, ac∣cording vnto thine owne Image, yet I haue falne from that state of in∣nocency and blessednesse, in the loynes of my first father Adam, and by beeing guilty of his sinne, am become also liable to his punishment. And as I am partaker of his sinne by imputation, as being one of his taynted posterity, so also of the corruption of his nature by propa∣gation, the which like a fretting leprosie, or running canker, hath who∣ly ouerspred all the powers and parts of my soule and body, vtterly disabling them vnto all duties of thy seruice, and making them the rea∣dy instruments of sinne and Satan. And whereas in their creation they were fit habitations for thine owne Maiesty to dwell in by thy Spirit, through this naturall corruption they became cages of vncleane birds, yea, noysome sinkes, exhaling and breathing out the lothsome sent, and poysonous vapours of carnall concupiscence and filthy lusts. Mine vnderstanding is so darkened with ignorance, that it is natural∣ly vnacquainted with thy will and waies, and though it bee wise to e∣uill, yet vnto that which is good, I haue no knowledge; my carnall rea∣son and wisedome is enmity against thee, and vnderstandeth not the things of thy Spirit, but so foolish it is, that it iudgeth them foolish∣nesse. My iudgement is so corrupted, that it hath no spirituall discer∣ning, being ready to mistake euill for good, falshood for truth, and wrong for right. My conscience is either seared or superstitious, ei∣ther

senselesse of sinne, or scared with shadowes; my minde and ima∣ginations are onely and continually euill, rouing wholy after earth∣ly things, and neuer minding spirituall and heauenly. My memory is become a storehouse of iniquity, with which it is so fully fraugh∣ted, that there is no roome for good instructions and the rich trea∣sures of thy sauing Truth. My will is so corrupted, that it standeth in flat opposition to thine holy will, approuing and chusing that which thou dislikest and condemnest, and refusing and abhorring that which thou likest and commandest. My heart is wholy turned from thee, and cleaueth to world and earthly vanities, and is full of infidelity, secu∣rity and impenitency, hardned in sinne, and vnflexible to all good. Mine affections are wholy corrupted and disordred, louing, fearing and trusting in the creature more then in the Creator; and all the members and parts of my body are sluggish and slothfull vnto all duties of thy seruice, but the apt and ready instruments of my sinfull soule for the acting of all manner of wickednesse. From which cursed fountaine of originall corruption, haue plentifully flowed those poisonous streams of actuall transgressions, whereby I haue violated & broken thy whole Law in thought, word and deede. For in stead of doing thy Law, I haue wholy transgressed it; in stead of obseruing the duties comman∣ded, I haue committed the vices forbidden; in stead of continuing in obedience, I haue continually disobeyed it, from my tender infancy to this present day. A great part of my time I haue lien starke dead in tres∣passes and sinnes, not being able to thinke a good thought, or enter∣tayne a good desire, because both my minde and will were enslaued vn∣to Satan in the chaynes of sin. And all this while my eares were deafe, mine eyes blinded, and my heart without vnderstanding, so as I could neyther heare, see, nor discerne the things which concerned thy glory and mine owne saluation, but vtterly neglected thy many and graci∣ous calls inuiting me to thy seruice. Yea, Lord, since the time that thou hast, through thy mighty power, and of thy mere grace, quickned and raysed me from this death of sinne, how haue I, like Lazarus, come out of the graue bound hand and foote, and still so fettred and hampred with the relikes of my corruptions, that I walke slowly and lamely in the wayes of thy Commandements, oftentimes neglecting, vpon euery slight occasion, the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse, and often∣times performing them with such weakenesse and imperfection, as it is hard to say whether they were not better vndon, then so done? O how often doe I forget euen the mayne end for which I liue, namely, that by glorifying thee I may liue eternally; and as though I were a citi∣zen of the earth, how haue I my conuersation here, spending my thoughts and strength about worldly vanities which profit not, and not so much as minding spirituall and heauenly things! How slowly (alas) do I come to the duties of thy seruice, who art so infinitely boun∣tifull in thy rewards! How coldly & carelesly, how dully & drowzily, how irreuerently and negligently do I performe them! How soone am I weary of these holy exercises, and desire to returne to my worldly imployments! How little sweetnesse doth my aguish taste feele in thy

loue, though it be better then wine, and in feeding vpon thy spirituall de∣licacies in thy banqueting-house, thy Word and Sacraments? How lit∣tle delight haue I had in thy Sanctuary and Sabbaths, and how haue I consecrated the least part of them as an holy Rest vnto thee, and misspent the greatest part in thinking mine owne thoughts, in thinking mine owne words, and doing mine owne workes? How much and often haue I abused thine holy ordinances, through my worldlinesse and prophane∣nesse, and after that I haue long inioyed them, how little haue I pro∣fited by them? Mine heart is still full of grosse infidelity, which is the cause that I am not much raised and comforted with thy sweet promises, nor deiected and humbled with thy terrible threatnings. It is full of im∣penitency, being vnapt to mourne for sinnes past, or to resolue vpon a∣mendment for the time to come. It is full of carnall security, making mee to apprehend no danger, when as I walke in the middest of pernicious snares, which are in euery place laid in my way by my spirituall enemies, and to put the euill day farre from me, when as pulling it on with my sins, it approcheth neere, and is ready to seaze vpon me. It is much hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne, custome in sinning depriuing mee of the sense of it. There is much spirituall pride that lyeth lurking in it, which maketh me ready to arrogate the good things I haue not, to ouer∣weene those I haue, and to attribute the praise of both vnto my selfe, and so to rob thee of the glory of thine owne gifts. Hypocrisie also still hang∣eth vpon me, being ready, like a slie thiefe, to steale in, when I open the doore of mine heart, to let in any grace or religious duty. I am still tain∣ted and poysoned with carnall selfe-loue, which maketh mee oftentimes to incurre spirituall hurt and damage, whilest I labour ouer-eagerly af∣ter worldly good, and earthly aduantage. Yea as hereby I am made apt to neglect my soule, for the seeming and present good of my body, de∣frauding it of all dues that belong vnto it; so likewise the duties of righ∣teousnesse and loue which I owe to my neighbours, when as they are in my partiall affection ouer-ballanced with some worldly profit, pleasure or preferment. O that my head were a fountaine of teares, that I might wash my defiled body and soule in the floods of vnfained sorrow! O that I could mourne for my sinnes, as a man mourneth for his onely sonne, and be sorry for them, as a man is sorry for the death of his first-borne! O that I could looke vpon him whom I haue pierced with bitter griefe, and be thorowly displeased with my selfe, because I haue by my sinnes so much displeased thee, who hast been euer vnto me so gracious a God, and so louing a Father! O that thou wouldest come downe and strike my rocky heart, that out of it might flow wholesome streames of repen∣tance! But alas, the filthy staines and deepe dye of my sinnes cannot bee washed cleane with these waters. It is onely that Fountaine which thou hast opened to the house of Dauid, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem for sinne and for vncleannesse, that is sufficient to purge me from my ingrai∣ned filthinesse. It is those bloody streames alone which so plentifully flowed out of my crucified Sauiour, that can clense me from all my sins. And therefore (O Lord) for thy mercies sake, and for thy Christs sake, wash my leprous body and soule in the streames of this thy Iordan. Yea

(Lord) seeing they are so deepely stained with the double double dye of imputed and inherent, originall and actuall sinnes, that no slight and or∣dinary washing can purifie and restore them to their created cleannesse, multiply thy washings; drench and diue me thorowly in the streames of this liuing Fountaine, that being cleansed from my Scarlet and Crim∣son sinnes, both in respect of their guilt and punishment, I may become as white as Snow, and that no spot remaining of spirituall defilement, I may be iustified when thou iudgest, and stand righteous in thy sight. And together with the staine of sinne, take away also the sting of conscience, and worke in it sound and secure peace, by perswading me, by the infal∣lible testimony of thy Spirit, that my sinnes are remitted, I reconciled through the death and satisfaction of thy Sonne, and that, of the child of wrath, and heire of perdition, I am now become thine owne child by adoption and grace. And to this end let me finde and feele it in mee, not only the Spirit of Adoption perswading me of thy fatherly loue, and sea∣ling me vp vnto the Day of my Redemption, but also the Spirit of San∣ctification, mortifying in me all my sinfull corruptions, by applying vnto mee the vertue of Christs death, and quickening mee in the inner man, vnto holinesse and newnesse of life, by the power and efficacy of his Re∣surrection. Let me put off, concerning the former conuersation, the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitfull lusts; and being re∣newed in the spirit of my minde, let me put on the new man, which, af∣ter thine owne glorious Image, is created in righteousnesse and true ho∣linesse. Let me continually keepe a narrow watch ouer my selfe, that I bee not againe intangled in the snares of the diuell, nor circumuented and mis-led through the deceitfulnesse of my corrupt flesh, but being freed from sinne, let me now become the seruant of righteousnesse. Let mee make conscience of all my wayes, and shunne not onely open and noto∣rious, but also secret sinnes, yea, all the occasions of euill, and hate euen the garment which is spotted of the flesh. Let mee put on daily the whole armour of God, that being weake in my selfe, I may bee strong in thee, and in the power of thy might, and bee inabled to withstand the wiles of the diuell, and resist all tentations in the euill Day; praying al∣wayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there∣unto with all perseuerance. Weane mine heart and affections more and more from the loue of the world and earthly vanities, and being a pil∣grim on earth, let my conuersation be in heauen, from whence I expect a Sauiour and Redeemer. Begin, and worke in me all spirituall gifts and sauing graces which yet are wanting, and daily increase and confirme those that are begun; and let me daily bring foorth the fruits of them all, throughout my whole life and conuersation in new obedience, labouring to performe vnto thee faithfull seruice in all my thoughts, words and deeds. Let me delight in the wayes of thy Commandements, and per∣forme all the duties of holinesse, righteousnesse and sobriety, with all cheerfulnesse and inward ioy. Let me daily seeke thy face and fauour a∣boue all things, and reioyce in nothing so much, as in the assurance of thy loue, and when the light of thy countenance shineth vpon mee. Re∣mooue out of my way, all lets and impediments, which might hinder me

in my Christian course, or so assist mee with thy grace, that I may ouer∣come them. Stablish me with thy free Spirit, that I may not onely begin well, but also continue in all grace and goodnesse vnto the very end of my life, and let me be stedfast, vnmoueable, and alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord. And with these my prayers and supplications, I doe also ioyne my praises and thankesgiuing, lauding and magnifying thy great and glorious Name, for thine inestimable loue, and the fruits and testimonies thereof shewed vnto me, euen from before all beginnings vnto this present day. For that thou hast, of thy free grace, chosen mee to life and saluation, created mee after thine owne similitude and like∣nesse, in wisedome, holinesse and righteousnesse, redeemed me at so deare a price, out of the miserable bondage of my spirituall enemies, effectu∣ally called mee, by the sound of the Gospell, to the knowledge of thy truth, vnited me vnto Christ by thy Spirit and a liuely faith, and made me partaker of all his benefits; for my iustification by his righteousnesse and obedience, and for some degrees of sanctification begun in mee, whereby thou hast subdued the power of sinne, that though it dwelleth, yet it doth not raigne in me, and hast wrought in me some desire, reso∣lution and indeuour to serue and please thee. For that thou hast watch∣ed ouer me with thy prouidence, in the whole course of my life, and namely, this night past, and hast thereby preserued mee from all perils; from the terrours of the night, and the malice of mine enemies, and hast refreshed me with quiet rest, and now raised me vp in the strength there∣of to doe thee seruice. O Lord, inlarge my heart, that I may duly con∣sider of thy manifold and rich mercies, and bee thorowly inflamed with the apprehension of thy loue. What am I (my God) that thou shouldest be thus gracious vnto mee, who am altogether lesse then the least of thy mercies, yea worthy of thy greatest punishments! O that I could loue and praise thee according to thy bounty and goodnesse! And be∣ing so poore, that I haue nothing to repay; and thou so rich, that thou neither needest, nor requirest any thing else; O that I could euer re∣maine a gratefull debter, hauing mine heart filled with thankfulnesse, and my mouth with thankesgiuing! And now (Lord) I further beseech thee, to continue still my God and guide, to direct, leade and vphold mee in all the wayes of holinesse and righteousnesse. Take mee into thy graci∣ous protection this day and euer, and watch so ouer mee with thy all-ru∣ling prouidence, that I may be preserued safe from all enemies, worldly and spirituall, and from those manifold dangers which incompasse mee on euery side. Giue mee grace so to spend this day, that some glory may redound vnto thee by my seruice, some profit and benefit vnto those with whom I liue, and some further assurance vnto my selfe (from the increase of sauing graces discerned in mee, and spirituall strength in all good duties) of my saluation and eternall happinesse. Order and go∣uerne all my thoughts, that they may be religious and honest; my spee∣ches, that they may bee wise, and seasoned with grace, and all my workes and actions for the well performing both of the generall duties of Chri∣stianity, and the speciall duties of my calling, blessing so all my labours, that I may be cheered and comforted in them by my prosperous successe

in all my good indeuours. Supply vnto mee all temporall blessings, and the necessary comforts of this life, and let mee liue at thy finding, and receiue whatsoeuer I inioy, as the gifts of thine owne hand, and pledges of thy loue, that I may returne the praise which is due vnto thee for them, and vse them as helpes to further mee in all duties of thy seruice. Finally, I beseech thee, good Lord, to vouchsafe these and all other benefits, not onely vnto mee, but also to thy whole Church and euery particular member thereof, especially to this in which I liue. Mul∣tiply thy fauours vpon our Soueraigne Lord the King, our noble Prince, the Prince Electour Palatine, and the Lady Elizabeth his wife, with their issue; vpon the honourable Lords of the Priuie Councell, the Magistrates and Ministers of thy Word and Sacraments, the afflicted members of Iesus Christ, my friends and benefactours, kindred and ac∣quaintance, and especially vpon this whole family; giuing vnto vs all grace, that wee may keepe the vnity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; and so ioyne together with our hearts and minds in all duties of thy ser∣uice, as that we may ioyntly inherit that eternall happinesse of thy King∣dome, through Iesus Christ our Lord; to whom with thee and thine holy Spirit, bee rendred all glory and praise, might, Maiesty, and Dominion, both now and euermore. Amen.