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.

§. 11 The eleuenth cause is the misse-applying of the promi∣ses of the Go∣spell.

The eleuenth cause of carnall Securitie, is the misse-applying of the promises of the Gospell vnto those, who haue no part or interest in them. For when as there is no promise so generall and indefinite, which is not limitted and restrayned to the condition of the Coue∣nant of Grace, Faith in Christ bringing forth the fruits of vnfayned repentance; yet wicked men resoluing to goe on in the course of sinne, no sooner heare the Promises of Gods mercy, the pardon of their sinnes, and eternall life and saluation, for the righteousnesse and obe∣dience of Iesus Christ, which haue alwayes the former condition ex∣pressed or vnderstood, but presently with great confidence, or rather presumption, they lay hold of the Promises, but haue no care at all of performing the Condition. Thus when the Lord saith: As truely as I liue I will not the death of a sinner, that they make vse of for the nourishing of their carnall securitie, neuer regarding what followeth; but that he repent and liue. So when Christ saith, that he came not to call the Righteous, but Sinners; with that they comfort themselues in their sinfull courses, but obserue not to what he calleth them, namely, to repentance, before they can haue any part with him in glorie. And when they heare the Apostles speech; that God will haue all men to bee saued, they make a bolster of it whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes; but leaue out the following condition, which would helpe to keepe them waking, namely, that hee will haue all, whom hee would haue saued, come first to the sauing knowledge of his Truth, which is neuer seuered from the fruits of obedience. And thus these Spiders out of the fragrant flowers of Gods promises, sucke most deadly poy∣son; and make no other vse of the sweet tunes of the Gospell, but to bring and continue them in the deepe sleepe of carnall securitie; the which serue vnto the faithfull as effectuall meanes and motiues to make them leaue their sinnes, and turne vnto the Lord by vnfayned repentance.

Notes

• Ezech. 33. 41.
• Matth. 9. 13.
• 1. Tim. 2. 4.
• 1. Ioh. 2, 3, 4.