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.

§. 8 Of the effects of spirituall securitie.

And these are the causes of this spirituall securitie. The effects of it are quite contrarie to those of carnall securitie; for it doth not make vs more slothfull and sluggish in the seruice of God, but more watch∣full ouer all our wayes, that wee may doe all things which are accep∣table vnto God, from whom wee enioy so great a blessing; and not commit any thing against knowledge and conscience, which may disturbe our sweet peace, or depriue vs of the inward ioy of this spiri∣tuall securitie. It doth not make vs more negligent and backward in holy duties, but to performe them with all diligence and chearful∣nesse, seeing wee walke in this way of godlinesse without feare; and haue part of our heauenly wages in present pa••, peace of conscience, spirituall securitie, and ioy in the holy Ghost, which are the preludes and first beginnings of euerlasting happinesse. For, as the Apostle sayth, The kingdome of God is not meat and drinke, but righteousnesse, * 1.1 and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost. It freeth vs from the bondage of the Law, which presseth from vs the obedience of slaues, out of ser∣uile * 1.2 feare of smart and punishment, and rest••reth vs to the glorious libertie of the sonnes of God, yeelding ingen••ous and voluntarie obe∣dience, out of meere loue to our heauenly Fa••her. It taketh away all painfulnesse and displeasantnesse in yeeldin•• ••eruice vnto God, by ta∣king away Legall feare, which (as the Apo••••le sayth) hath torment, * 1.3 and maketh Christs yoke easie, and his bur••hen light, when we feele his promise accomplished of giuing vnto our soules this spirituall rest. * 1.4 It preserueth vs from all iniquitie, especially from speaking lies, which

is a base vice grounded on seruile feare, either of losing some benefit, or sustayning some euill or inconuenience, by incurring mans displea∣sure in speaking trueth. From which feare, Christian securitie freeing vs, doth also keepe vs from the vice of lying, which is the effect of it. According to that of the Prophet, The remnant of Israel shall not doe iniquitie, nor speake lies, neither shall a deceitfull tongue be found in their * 1.5 mouth: for they shall feed and lie downe, and none shall make them afraid. It maketh vs also with more constancie and patience, to indure affli∣ctions and all troubles, when as wee are secure of the euent, and are assured that they shall all of them aduance our spirituall good and heauenly glorie. It worketh in vs Christian courage and resolution, in resisting all the assaults of the enemies of our saluation, when a se∣curely resting vpon God his wisedome, power, and prouidence, wee are assured for the present, that they shall not bee able by all their might and malice to doe vs any hurt, and that the issue of this spirituall warfare will be our victorie here, and our triumph in glory in the life to come. Finally, it causeth vs to bee more frequent and feruent in prayer, when as without seruile feare wee may approach into Gods * 1.6 presence, and with the libertie, boldnesse, and confidence of sonnes, make our suits and supplications vnto him, in the mediation of Iesus Christ, with confidence that he will heare vs gratiously, and bounti∣fully condiscend vnto our desires. According to that of the Apostle, In whom we haue boldnesse, or free libertie of speaking, and accesse, with * 1.7 confidence by the faith of him. The which he vseth as an effectuall ar∣gument, to make vs more frequent and diligent in performing of this duties Let vs therefore come boldly vnto the Throne of grace, that we may * 1.8 obtaine mercie, and find grace to helpe in time of need. And thus much of the causes and effects of spirituall Securitie.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 14. 17.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 8. 15.
• * 1.3

  1. Ioh. 4. 18.
• * 1.4

  Matth. 11. 29.
• * 1.5

  ••••••. 3. 13.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 145. 19.
• * 1.7

  Eph. 3. 12.
• * 1.8

  Heb 4 16.