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.

§. 4 That Christs holy Apostles haue giuen vs many war∣nings, to take heed of carnall securitie.

With like care and earnestnesse, doe Christs holy Apostles admo∣nish and warne vs, to take heede of this dangerous and pernicious * 1.1 sinne of carnall securitie. The Apostle Paul telleth vs, that now it is high time to awake out of sleepe, because now our saluation is neerer then when wee beleeued, that is, then at our first conuersion, when as wee begun to beleeue. And therefore as Runners for a prize, make most speed when they come neerest vnto the Goale: so should we be most carefull in shaking off all securitie and sloth, and in running swiftly in the Race of godlinesse, when we approch to the Goale of blessednes: and exhorteth vs, that seeing the Night is farre spent, and the Day is at * 1.2 hand, we doe therefore cast off the works of darknesse, and put on the Ar∣mour of light. And againe: Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from * 1.3 the dead; and Christ shall giue thee light. See that yee walke circumspect∣ly, not as fooles but as wise, redeeming the time, because the dayes are euill. And elsewhere: Let vs not sleepe as doe others, but let vs watch and be sober, &c. And because we are alwayes in danger, he would haue vs to be at no time retchlesse and secure, but seeing we haue innumerable enemies euer readie to assault vs, he exhorteth vs to haue continually the whole Armour of God fast buckled vnto vs, that we may be able * 1.4 to stand against the wiles of the Deuill. So the Apostle Peter vpon the same ground, exhorteth vs to shake off carnall securitie, and to stand still vpon our guard with all care and watchfulnesse. Bee sober (saith he) be vigilant, because your aduersarie the Deuill, as a roring Lion wal∣keth * 1.5 about, seeking whom he may deuoure; whom resist steadfast in the Faith.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 13. 11, 12.
• * 1.2

  Eph. 5. 14, 15.
• * 1.3

  1. Thes. 5. 6.
• * 1.4

  Eph. 6. 11:
• * 1.5

  1. Pet. 5. 8, 9.