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.

§. 3 The third meanes is, to cast off all self-confidence.

The third meanes is to cast of all selfe-confidence, and opinion of our owne wisedome and strength, as being altogether insufficient to preserue vs from the least dangers. Which that wee may doe, let vs consider, that we are neuer neerer falling, then when we rest vpon the broken staffe of our owne strength; and neuer further from it, then when vtterly despayring of all our owne abilities, we cast these brittle reeds out of our hands, which doe but trouble vs and hinder our hold, and relye our selues vpon the Lord, the sure and neuer fayling pillar of our strength. And this we see in the example of Dauid, who in the strength of his prosperitie growing confident, that hee could not be moued, was presently troubled and foiled: But when finding his foot to slip, he despaired of standing in his owne strength, then the mercie of the Lord did hold him vp. But especially, let vs wholly de∣nie and reiect our owne worth and merits, the opinion our good na∣tures, good meanings, and intentions; yea, of the strength of our spi∣rituall graces, as though they were sufficient to deserue Gods prote∣ction, or to vphold and defend vs against all perils. For this maketh vs much the lesse to respect God and reuerence his holy Maiestie, and to sleepe more deadly in our carnall securitie, when wee lodge in the castle of our owne strength and abilities, and haue the keyes of our safetie and protection in our owne keeping. Whereas if we see and acknowledge our owne insufficiencie, our want of wisedome and power to keepe vs from any danger, and defend vs against tentati∣ons; our frailety to fall into sinne, and inabilitie to any good actions; our pronenesse to fall into perils, and want of power to recouer out of them; our vnworthinesse of Gods least fauour, and worthinesse of his greatest Iudgements: this would make vs to shake off all securitie, and to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling, as the Apostle ex∣horteth; because of our selues, wee are able to doe nothing, but it is God onely which worketh in vs both to will and to doe, of his good pleasure. This would keepe vs from being secure, as though we were possessed of all we desire, and were alreadie perfect; and make vs with the Apo∣stle, to forget those things which are behind, and to reach forth vnto those things which are before, and with all our care and endeauour, to presse toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Iesus; lest, hauing the promise of the garland of blessednesse, through our sloth and securitie, wee come short of it, as the Apostle speaketh.

Notes

• Psal. 30. 6, 7.
• Psal. 94. 18.
• Phil. 2. 12, 13.
• Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14.
• Heb. 4. 1.