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.

CHAP. I.

Wherein spirituall securitie is defined, and the definition explaned.

§. 1 That all secu∣ritie is not to be condem∣ned, but that it is in some kind commendable; and to be desi∣red.

HAuing spoken of that Securitie, which is naturall, in all the kinds of it: it now in the last place remayneth, that we briefly intreate of that Securitie which is super∣naturall, diuine and holy. For as all Se∣curitie is not commendable, but onely when a man, as he ought, layeth aside all care; so on the other side, all Securitie is not to bee condemned, but when hee assumeth it as hee ought not; namely, such a Securitie as is built on an ill foun∣dation, and vpon false and deceitfull grounds; which as it proceedeth from euill causes, so it alwayes produceth euill and pernicious effects, as hath sufficiently beene shewed in the former discourse. But besides this, there is a Securitie which is good and warrantable, commen∣dable, and to be desired and imbraced of vs, grounded on iust causes, and rightly assumed of those vnto whom of due it appertayneth; namely, the securitie of the faithfull, hauing its foundation not vpon any thing in themselues, or any inferiour meanes and secundarie causes, but vpon God alone his Power, Prouidence and Promises, made vnto them in Iesus Christ. For after that wee are regenerate by the Spirit of God, and being reconciled, are become his Children by adoption and grace, and so like Children in the fauour of our heauen∣ly Father, and receiued vnder the couert of his protection, then be∣ginneth that created Securitie, which was in the state of Innocency, to be renued in vs; the which though we cannot attayne vnto in the

highest perfection in this life, because our knowledge, faith and loue, which should cast out all feare, are imperfect; yet is it much firmer, surer, and more permanent, then that of our first Parents, because that rested on the condition of their obedience, and this vpon the freedom of their will, which was mutable and changeable; but this renued se∣curitie, resteth vpon the couenant of Grace made in Christ and his Righteousnesse and Obedience, which are vnchangeable and euerla∣sting, and hath no condition on our part, but a liuely faith, bringing forth fruits of vnfayned repentance; and these Graces also are the free gifts of God, which after he hath once bestowed, he neuer againe ta∣keth from vs. And this securitie euery Christian ought to labour af∣ter, and so much the rather, because we shall neuer be freed from that carnall securitie which is so dangerous and pernicious, before we haue giuen entertaynment vnto this other in our hearts. For some shelter Man naturally desireth and will haue, vnder which shrowding him∣selfe, he may be safe either in Truth or in Opinion, and so freed from horrors and feares, which otherwise, like hellish Furies, would haunt and vexe him. Which was the cause, (as I haue shewed) why our first Parents being depriued, through their fall, of their created securitie, grounded vpon the knowledge and remembrance of God, and his sa∣uing Attributes; were so apt to be abused by Satan, imposing in stead thereof a false and counterfait securitie, contrariwise grounded on ig∣norance and forgetfulnesse; which, whilest through the blindnesse of their minds it freed them from feare, because the causes of their feare could not be discerned by them, it did expose them to much the grea∣ter danger, because they were in the case of those, who are in the time of their sleepe assaulted with many, mightie, and malicious Enemies, and doe not so much as dreame of their approching. But yet such is mans nature, that he had rather be couered with Fig-leaues, then haue no clothing, and haue in his hands a Reed and paper Buckler, which haue no strength to defend him, but what he giueth them by a false o∣pinion, rather then no weapons at all; and will choose rather a coun∣terfait securitie, which may serue for the present to preserue him from true horrors and feares, that he may not be tormented before the time, rather then hee will haue none at all. In which respects it is the onely way, when we would perswade men to cast off carnall securitie, to of∣fer them in stead thereof Christian securitie, which deliuereth from all dangers, not onely in shew and opinion, but also in Deed and Truth; excelling the other in worth, more then massie gold a rotten gilded post, and in strength more then Armour of proofe, a painted shadow; or an impregnable Fort, a paper Wall.

§. 2 The descripti∣on of spirituall Securitie.

And to this purpose, I thought it necessary to adde something of it to the former discourse, hoping that men wil with more ease be moued to cast away that intoxicating and pernicious poyson, which maketh them to sleepe out the tortures of an euil conscience, & depriueth them of their senses, that with them it may take away their feares; when in stead thereof I offer vnto them this soueraigne Cordiall, which will

expell them, and arme the heart with true Christian courage and re∣solution. In speaking whereof I will first shew what it is, the nature, causes, and effects of it; and then the meanes whereby wee may be enriched with this inestimable treasure. Concerning the first, it may be thus described. Christian securitie is a grace of God, following our re∣generation, iustification, and peace with him through Iesus Christ; where∣by acknowledging, beleeuing, and remembring the all-seeing wisedome, omnipotent power, infinite goodnesse and mercie of God towards vs in Christ, wee doe without carnall and seruile feare, in all estates and at all times, rest quietly and contentedly vpon his promises and prouidence, for the supplying of all our wants, protection from all dangers, and deliuerance from all euils.

§. 3 That God is the authour of spirituall secu∣ritie.

In which description, I shew first the Fountaine from which it springeth; not from nature, whose poisonous breasts doe now giue no such milke; not from our owne wisedome, power, endeauours, or any worldly causes, or secundarie meanes; but from God himselfe the Author and Fountaine of euery good and perfect gift, who of his free grace bestoweth this blessing vpon those that feare and serue him. And as it proceedeth from him, so vpon him, as the only sure foundation, it resteth and relyeth, and not on humane pollicie and strength or any creature, or earthly thing whatsoeuer. So the Lord propoundeth this ground of Christian courage and securitie, and no other. Feare thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will streng∣then thee, yea, I will helpe thee, yea, I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse. I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying vnto thee, feare not, I will helpe. And vpon this alone, holy Dauid se∣curely resteth: I layd mee downe and slept, I awaked for the Lord sustai∣ned mee. I will not be afraid of ten thousand of people that haue set them∣selues against me round about. And againe: I will both lay me downe in peace, and sleepe; for thou Lord onely makest mee dwell in safetie. Yea, though I walke through the valley of the shadow of death, I will feare no euill, for thou art with mee, thy rod and thy staffe they comfort mee. And elsewhere: The Lord is my light and my saluation, whom shall I feare? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encampe against mee, my heart shall not feare; though warre should rise against mee, in this will I be confident. And in another place: What time I am afraid I will trust in thee; In God I haue put my trust, I will not feare what flesh can doe vnto mee. Thus the Church trium∣pheth ouer all her troubles, and remaineth secure in cases of greatest feare, in sole confidence of Gods protection. God is our refuge and strength, a very present helpe in trouble; therefore will wee not feare though the earth be remooued; and though the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea, &c. And so likewise the Apostle Paul. What shall we say then to these things? if God bee for vs, who can bee against vs? who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? it is God that iustifieth, who is hee that condemneth? &c. Who shall separate vs from the loue of Christ? shall tribulation, or distresse, or persecution, or famine, or naked∣nesse,

or perill, or sword? nay in all these things we are more then Conque∣rours through him that loued vs: and thereupon he concludeth: I am perswaded that neither death nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate vs from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord. Yea; so solely and wholly doe the faith∣full ground their spirituall securitie vpon the Lord, that when they excell and abound in wisedome, strength, and all earthly helpes, it is not encreased; and when they are depriued of them all, it is no whit lessened and abated; because the Lord in himselfe is all-mightie and all-sufficient, and hath by all these meanes no strength added vnto him, nor yet is any whit weakned, when all these inferiour comforts and encouragements are taken away. And this the Lord requireth of Abraham, that hee should be secure in his sole protection; Feare not Abraham, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And againe, I am the almightie God, or the God all-sufficient, walke before me, and be thou vpright. And of the Church; Feare not thou worme Iacob and yee men of Israel; I will helpe thee, sayth the Lord, and thy Redeemer the holy One of Israel. Intimating thus much, that though the Church were so sensible of her owne weaknesse, that shee was as vnable in her owne strength to resist the malicious rage of her cruell enemies, as a seely worme; yet shee had cause enough to bee secure and without feare, because the Lord (who is all-sufficient, and taketh delight to ma∣nifest his power in weakenesse) had promised his helpe.

§. 4 That the rege∣nerate onely are the subiect of spirituall se∣curitie.

Thirdly I say, that this Christian securitie followeth our regenera∣tion, iustification, and peace with God; because there is no true secu∣ritie to those who are vnregenerate, vnder the guilt, and obnoxious to the punishment of sinne; and who haue God for their enemie, who is able and readie euery minute to consume and destroy them. There is no sound securitie to those, who by hellish charmes haue rocked conscience asleepe, which is euery day in danger to be awakened, and being rowzed vp, will catch them by the throat, and hale them to answere for all their crimes at the vnpartiall Barre of Gods fearefull Iudgement. In which regards, I may conclude with the Prophet, that there is no such peace to the wicked; for when they are once awake∣ned out of this sleepe of carnall securitie, they are like the troubled Sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast vp mire and dirt. But it is the faithfull only, who being truely conuerted from their wicked wayes, iustified and reconciled vnto God, and hauing peace with him, haue also peace of conscience, that are capable of this grace of spirituall securitie.

§. 5 The grounds of spirituall securitie, on which it re∣steth.

Fourthly, I lay downe the grounds of Christian securitie where∣vpon it resteth, namely knowledge, beliefe, and remembrance of God and his sauing attributes. Wherein it is quite contrarie to carnall se∣curitie, which is grounded on the ignorance, not beleeuing, and for∣getfulnesse of them; which the greater they are, the greater is the car∣nall mans securitie; euen as contrariwise spirituall securitie encreaseth

in strength, as we doe more and more encrease in the contrarie graces. Fiftly, I shew what feare spirituall securitie expelleth, namely that onely which is carnall and seruile. For, as for that holy, filiall, and spirituall feare of God our gratious Father in Iesus Christ, it is no way opposite to this Christian securitie, yea, they are mutuall causes one of another; and so, the more the one encreaseth, the more vigour and strength it ministreth to the other. The more happie we find and feele our selues in our secure resting vnder Gods protection, the more we feare to displease so gratious a Father, vnder the wings of whose prouidence we enioy such sweet securitie; and the more wee feare to offend him, the more secure wee are in his loue and fauour. For, as one sayth, nothing can be more safe and secure, then to commit all things vnto him, who knoweth how to giue most fitly all things pro∣fitable to those that feare and serue him.

§. 6 Of the conti∣nuance and perpetuitie of spirituall secu∣ritie.

Sixtly, I adde the continuance and perpetuitie of the Christians se∣curitie, not for a spint alone like carnall securitie, till the conscience be awakened with the threatnings of the Law, or the smart of Gods seuere Iudgements; but in all estates, and at all times, though not al∣wayes alike and in the same proportion, in his sense and feeling. In which respect the Christian findeth it to encrease or diminish, as hee thriueth or decayeth in those graces which are the causes, which both breed and nourish it, and as he is more diligent and carefull, or more negligent and remisse in vsing the meanes whereby it is obtained and preserued. But when the Christian thriueth in spirituall grace, is watchfull ouer all his wayes, and endeauoureth in all things to please and serue God, and so preserueth inwardly peace with him and peace of conscience, then is there no outward thing that can disturbe his peace, or depriue him of his spirituall securitie which he hath in the assurance of Gods fauour and protection, but he constantly retaineth it at all times, and in all estates, and enioyeth secure peace in the mid∣dest of warres and troubles, and a quiet calme in the greatest stormes and tempests of worldly calamities. As for example, in the time of extremest dangers he is secure and safe, as though there were no perill approching; so as he can say with Dauid; I laid mee downe and slept; I awaked, for the Lord sustained me; I will not be afraid for ten thousands of people, that haue set themselues against mee round about. The Lord is my light and saluation, whom shall I feare? the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? Though an host should encampe against mee, my heart shall not feare; though warre should rise against me, in this I will be confident. And with the Church: God is our refuge and strength, a very present helpe in trouble: therefore will wee not feare, though the earth be remooued, and though the mountaines be carried into the middest of the sea. So in the time, not onely of worldly prosperitie, when God hedgeth him in on all sides with the pledges of his loue, but also of affliction, trouble, and persecution, hee is secure in the assurance of Gods fauour; because he knoweth that these are signes of his adop∣tion, and that all things worke together for good to them that loue

God, to them that are the Called according to his purpose. That Afflictions, Tribulation, Distresse, Persecution, Famine, Nakednesse, Perill or Sword, shall not bee able to separate him from the loue of Christ. That they doe not hinder, but further him in the way to e∣uerlasting happinesse; For by many tribulations we must enter into the Kingdome of God; wee must first suffer with Christ, that afterwards wee may raigne with him; and these short and momentanie afflicti∣ons shall cause vnto vs, a farre most excellent and an eternall waight of glorie. That they are not vnto them effects of the Legall curse, but assurances of euerlasting Blessednes; according to that of Dauid; Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord; and teachest him out of thy Law. And of the Apostle Peter; If yee suffer for Righteous∣nesse, happy are yee, and bee not afraid of their terrour, neither bee yee troubled. And of the Apostle Iames: Blessed is the man that indureth tentation, for when he is tried he shall receiue the Crowne of Life, which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him. And finally, that of our Sauiour: Blessed are they that are persecuted for Righteousnesse sake; for theirs is the Kingdome of Heauen. Blessed are yee when men reuile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of euill against you falsely for my sake; reioyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heauen. In which respects, they that are iustified by Faith and haue peace with God, through our Lord Iesus Christ, not onely reioyce in hope of the glorie of God, and beare their afflictions with patience, but euen glorie in tribulation, as the Apostle speaketh. In a word, hee loseth not his spirituall securitie, no not in the agonie of death it selfe; because the Righteous hath hope in death, and when hee is killed, euen by Gods owne hand, can say with Iob, Though hee slay mee, yet will I trust in him. And because hee knoweth, that though Death bee able to separate his soule from the body, yet it is not able to separate him from the loue of God in Christ. Yea, contrariwise it shall serue as a passage conducting him into Gods presence, and ha∣sten the fruition of this glorious Majestie and supreme goodnesse, In whose presence is fulnesse of ioy, and at whose right hand there are pleasures for euer more.

Notes

• Non quaelibet se∣curitas est lauda∣bilis: sed qua••do deponit a••iquis curam p••out de∣b••t. Th. Aquin. 2. 2. quaest. 129. art. 7.
• Rom. 11. 29.
• Iam. 1. 17.
• Esa. 41. 10. 13. Ier. 30. 10. & 46. 27, 28. Heb. 13. 5, 6. Psal. 3. 5, 6. & 4. 8.
• Psal. 23. 4.
• Psal. 27. 1, 3.
• Psal. 56. 3, 4.
• Psal. 46. 1, 2, 3.
• Rom. 8. 31. to 39.
• Gen 15. 1. & 17. 1.
• Esa 41. 14.
• 2. Cor. 12. 9.
• Esa. 57. 20, 21.
• Nihil potest esse securius, quam illi omnia com∣mittere qui no∣uit suis cultori∣bus congruè pro∣futura praestare. Cassian. in Psa. 72.
• Psal. 3. 5, 6.
• Psal. 27. 1, 3.
• Psal. 46. 1, 2.
• Rom. 8. 28.
• vers. 35.
• Act. 14. 22.
• 2. Tim. 2. 12.
• 2. Cor. 4. 17.
• Psal. 94. 12.
• Pet. 3. 14.
• Iam. 1. 12.
• Matth. 5. 10, 11.
• Rom. 5. 1, 3.
• Pro. 14. 32.
• Iob 13. 15.
• Rom. 8. 38, 39.
• Psal. 16. 11.