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 The second cause, a liuely Faith in Christ.

The second cause which produceth this spirituall securitie, as the fruit and effect of it, is a liuely faith in Christ, and firme affiance and confidence in God. For being iustified by Faith, we haue peace with God, and peace of Conscience, and with them inward securitie and spirituall ioy, euen in afflictions and tribulations. So being by Faith ingrafted into Christ, and become members of his body, we may be secure in his power and protection, assuring our selues that hee will preserue his owne members from all euill, prouide for them all neces∣saries, and defend them from the malice and power of all Enemies, so as they shall not be able to hurt and destroy them, which were to suf∣fer a mayme in his owne blessed Body. If we by Faith relye our selues vpon this Rocke of strength, then though the Rayne descend, and the Floods come, and the Winds blow and beate vpon vs, yet we are se∣cure from all danger, because wee cannot sinke or fall being founded vpon a Rocke. If wee beleeue Gods Promises of preseruation and protection, there is no cause of feare in the greatest extremities, be∣cause we are sure of helpe and deliuerance, which is certainly promi∣sed to all the faithfull, according to the saying of Iehosaphat; Beleeue in the Lord your God, so shall yee bee established, beleeue his Prophets and yee shall prosper. If beleeuing in God we put our affiance in him, and cast our selues wholly vpon his prouidence and protection, this will worke in vs this spirituall securitie. For he that dwelleth in the secret of the most High, shall abide vnder the shadow of the Almightie. Hee that maketh the Lord his refuge, fortresse and trust, shall bee deliuered from the snare of the Fowler, and from the noysome pestilence. Hee will couer him with his feathers, and vnder his wings shall he trust, his Truth shall be his shield and buckler. He shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flyeth by day, &c. because hee hath made the Lord his refuge, and the most high his habitation. There shall no euill befall him, neither shall any plague come neere his dwelling. For hee will giue his Angels charge ouer him, to keepe him in all his wayes, &c. If with Dauid we put our trust in the Lord, wee shall not need to feare what flesh can doe vnto vs. If wee trust in the Lord wee shall bee blessed, and like a Tree planted by the Waters, that spreadeth out her Rootes by the Riuer, which shall not see when heate commeth, but her leafe shall bee greene, and shall not bee carefull in the yeere of drought, neither shall cease from yeelding fruit.

Notes

• Rom. 5. 1, 3.
• Matth. 7. 26.
• 2. Chron. 20. 20.
• Psal. 91. 1, 2, 3, &c.
• Psal. 56. 4.
• Ier. 17. 7, 8.