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. III.

Of the meanes of spirituall Securitie, whereby it may bee obtayned, or preserued and encreased.

§ 1 Th•• ••••••st m〈…〉〈…〉s, highly to e∣steeme it and 〈…〉〈…〉e i•• 〈…〉〈…〉 and in him.

NOw it followeth in the last place, that we set downe the meanes of obtayning and preseruing this grace of Chri∣stian securitie. And first, if we would attaine vnto this rich gift (which maketh vs with ioy and comfort to enioy all other blessings, because it secureth vs of their fruition, quieteth our minds in the middest of all dangers, comfor∣teth vs against all afflictions, as a rich treasury supplieth all our wants, and is vnto vs an impregnable Fort to keepe off all our spirituall ene∣mies, and Armour of proofe to beate backe the darts of their tenta∣tions) wee must in our iudgements esteem it according to the worth and value, in our hearts and affections loue and desire it, and so re∣solue, with all care and good conscience, to endeauour in the vse of all good meanes whereby we may attaine vnto it, and preserue and che∣rish

it when we haue gotten it. As first, if wee would haue the effect wrought in vs, we must labour that the causes of it may bee effectuall in vs to this purpose. And seeing God is the authour of this excellent gift, and that rich fountaine of all grace and goodnesse, from which flow these sweet and still streames of Christian securitie, let vs begge it at his hands by feruent prayer, who is no niggard of his gifts, but hath promised to giue them plentifully to all that aske them in the name of his Sonne. Yea, let vs not only seeke this securitie from him as the fountaine, but ground it on him onely as the alone foundation of it. For there is nothing in our selues or any creature, whereupon it may safely and surely rest, but onely vpon Gods infinite wisedome, beholding vs and all things, with all meanes and oportunities to pre∣serue vs from all euill, and to conferre vpon vs all good; and his om∣nipotent power, whereby hee is able to doe whatsoeuer in his wise∣dome hee knoweth to be best; vpon his all-sufficiencie, whereby hee sufficeth vs by himselfe alone without all other helpe; his mercie and goodnesse, whereby he is as willing and readie, as able to helpe vs; and his promises and trueth, which assure vs of his fauour, with all the fruits of it, and that he will neuer faile those who by a liuely faith doe rest vpon them. And if wee ground our securitie on this im∣mooueable Rocke, then though wee be neuer so weake in our owne strength, neuer so much encountred with dangers, and mightily as∣saulted with our many, strong, and malitious enemies, yet may we re∣taine our securitie, notwithstanding all these difficulties, because hee alone is able to support vs by his owne strength, to preserue vs from and in all perils, and to giue vs victorie ouer all our enemies.

§. 2 The second meanes is, to labour to be in the number of Christ Dis∣ciples, and of his flocke.

Secondly, if wee would haue this Legacie of spirituall securitie which Christ hath left vs, we must labour to be in the number of his Disciples, vnto whom alone it is bequeathed; to bee sheepe of his flocke and fold, ouer whom he watcheth and taketh care, to protect them from all enemies, and to preserue them from all dangers; and then we may be secure, seeing wee haue his promise, that he will giue vnto vs eternall life, that wee shall neuer perish, and that no man shall plucke vs out of his hand. And if we haue the Lord for our shepheard, then may we with Dauid rest securely vpon his prouidence, assuring our selues that if we liue at his finding, we shall want nothing. Then may we safely lie downe in the greene pastures, and be led by him by those still waters of peace and securitie; yea, though he lead vs into places of feare and danger, euen through the valley of the shadow of death, yet may we be secure and feare no euill, seeing hee is with vs, and with his rod and staffe doth comfort vs. Yea, wee must labour after a neerer vnion with Christ, and to be espoused vnto him, and then wee being his Spouse, and hee being our Bridegroome, wee may rest se∣curely vnder his powerfull protection, seeing by the institution and law of marriage, he is bound both to defend and prouide for vs; and because hee that toucheth vs, toucheth him; hee that offereth any in∣iurie vnto vs, doth offer it (as it were) to his owne person: then may

we with the Spouse in the Canticles, sit downe securely vnder his sha∣dow with great delight, and sleepe in safetie, when his left hand is vnder our head, and his right hand doth embrace vs. Or if we would be nee∣rer vnto him for our greater safetie and securitie, let vs labour to be∣come members of his blessed body, vnited vnto him by his holy Spirit and a liuely faith; seeing then there will be no place for feare, because hee that toucheth vs, toucheth the apple of his eye; hee that doth vs any hurt, hurteth and offereth violence against his owne bodie; and he that seeketh to plucke vs from him, shall goe about an impossi∣ble worke, euen to plucke a member from the bodie of Christ, which he tenderly loueth, seeing he hath all power in heauen and earth com∣mitted vnto him, so as no creature is able to preuaile against him.

§. 3 The third meanes is, that we labour to be in the Co∣uenant of Grace.

Thirdly, if wee would obtayne this spirituall securitie, wee must la∣bour to be within the compasse of the couenant of Grace, which God hath made with vs in Iesus Christ. For such onely as are in the Coue∣nant, haue right vnto the Promises of Gods grace and prouidence, watching ouer them, for the endowing them with all good, and of his power and protection to shield and defend them from all euill. Such onely haue God for their Lord and King, and are the peculiar People and Subiects of his Kingdome, ouer whom hee hath taken charge, and receiued them vnder the safegard of his protection. As for others, they are strangers vnto him, whom he respecteth not; yea, they are no better then Rebels and Out-lawes, who haue no benefit by his pro∣tection, and therefore can haue in them no true securitie, but may well feare with Cain, that being exiled out of Gods presence, they shall be like Fugitiues and Vagabonds vpon the earth, and that it shall come to passe, that euery one that findeth them shall be ready to slay them. Where∣as if we haue the Seale of the Couenant stamped vpon vs, we are there∣by secured from all euill; for when the destroying Angell is purpose∣ly sent from God to spoile and make hauocke of all, yet his commissi∣on is restrayned, so as hee may not hurt those which are in the Coue∣nant, but those onely who haue not the Seale of God in their foreheads. Now the meanes to be in this Couenant with God, is to performe the condition of Faith, bringing forth the fruits thereof in heartie repen∣tance and amendment of life; which wee must therefore aboue all things labour after, that we may haue interest in the former priuileges. And because through our frailtie and infirmitie, we are apt to wound and weaken our Faith by our sinnes; and this shield is oftentimes shrewdly battered, with beating backe the fierie darts and bullets of Satans tentations: And our repentance also is ready to grow faint and languish, both in respect of our griefe for sinne past, and resolution to leaue and forsake it for the time to come; and so by weakning the Co∣uenant, not in it selfe, but in our apprehension, wee are ready to lose our inward peace, and to haue our securitie disturbed with feares; therefore as we often sinne, so doth it become vs often to renew our Couenant with God, by renuing the condition of Faith and Repen∣tance, that so also with them wee may renew our securitie, according

to that in Iob; If iniquity be in thine hand, put it farre away, and let not wickednesse dwell in thy Tabernacles. For then thou shalt lift vp thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not feare. And thou shalt be secure because there is hope; yea, thou shalt digge about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safetie. Also thou shalt lye downe and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suite vnto thee.

§. 4 The fourth meanes is, to labour to haue the causes of it in vs. As, first, the Spirit of adoption, and the chayne of sauing graces.

Fourthly, if we would haue spirituall securitie, we must indeauour by all meanes to haue those causes of it in our selues, of which I haue spoken. As first, the Spirit of adoption, whereby being assured that we are Gods children through Christ, we may securely rest vpon the prouidence and promises of our heauenly Father, for the prouiding of all things necessarie, for the supplying of all our wants, preseruation from all dangers, and protection from all enemies. For if earthly Pa∣rents, according to their power, performe all these things to their chil∣dren, so as they are secure and without feare, when they are in the sight and presence of their able friends; how much more will our hea∣uenly Father, who infinitely exceeds them in power and loue? For if he be so infinitely gracious, that he preserueth those which are stran∣gers vnto him, how much more those who are of his owne Family? if hee doth good vnto all, how much more those who are of the house-hold of Faith? if he prouideth for the yong Lions and Rauens that call vpon them, and richly clotheth the Lillies and Flowres of the Field, how much more will hee defend and preserue, feede and clothe his owne Children, whom hee hath loued so deerly, that hee hath not spared to giue his best beloued and onely begotten Sonne to the death for their redemption and saluation? So also we must labour after the gifts and graces of the Spirit, which haue the promises of Gods protection made vnto them; so that if we haue them, we may be secure in his helpe and assistance, because if he be with vs, it matte∣reth not who oppose against vs; if we are destitute of them, then being hopelesse and helplesse, there is no place for peace and securitie. A∣gaine, these sauing graces are the only meanes whereby we may make our Calling and Election sure; which if we doe, no worldly thing can disturbe our peace, or dampe our ioy; but if for want of them wee want also this assurance, how can wee haue any roome in our hearts for securitie to lodge in, seeing they are wholly taken vp with feares and doubtings? or at least with carnall securitie which keeps all quiet, because it shuts our eyes, and benummeth all our senses, so as we can∣not see nor feele our danger? Finally, these vertues and spirituall gra∣ces are our Christian armour, which being buckled vnto vs, is of high proofe, to preserue vs in safetie against all assaults of enemies, that would disturbe our peace; but if they be wanting, then like the Israe∣lites we are naked, dis-armed of Gods assistance, dis-furnished of all munition and weapons, wherby we might make any resistance against the encounters of our spirituall enemies, and so an easie prey to be sea∣zed on, and led captiue by them.

§. 5 The fift means is, to labour to be indued with those peciall sauing graces, which are the causes of, first, knowledge and remembrance of God and his Attributes. Secondly, A liuely Faith.

More especially if we would vse the meanes, whereby wee may in

ioy this Christian securitie, wee must labour to know, acknowledge and remember Gods sauing Attributes, as he exerciseth them towards vs for our good, as his Wisedome, Power, All-sufficiencie, Mercy, Goodnesse, Truth and the Rest. For these are the foundation and ground of this securitie, vpon which it is built and resteth; of which if we are ignorant or forgetfull, it is no more possible for this Fort of securitie to be erected in vs; then to set vp a goodly building without a foundation, or to make it durable, if it be seated without other sup∣port, vpon the Moores or Sands. In the second place, let vs labour after a liuely and iustifying Faith, which is the condition of the Coue∣nant, vpon which alone all our safetie and securitie resteth and relyeth; the alone instrument which vniteth vs vnto Christ, and the only hand by which we receiue all Gods promises, and the fruits and benefits which doe accompanie them. Finally, that impenetrable shield which repelleth all the fierie darts of Satan, and maketh vs vndanted and without feare; when wee are encountred with his tentations. And therefore if we be indued with Faith, there is cause enough why we should be secure, seeing we are in Couenant with God, and by vertue thereof, vnder his protection, the members of Christ who is so armed with power, that all the malice of the Deuill and power of Hell, are not able to vanquish or doe vs any hurt; and haue all our vitall parts couered with a shield of proofe, which cannot be pierced with all the Darts of Satans tentations. Thirdly, let vs vse all good meanes, to haue our hearts comforted and confirmed, with firme affiance and confidence in God, which is a fruit of the former grace, wherewith if we be indued, the Lord will be the Rocke of our refuge, our Sanctua∣rie and Castle of strength, vnto which if we flee in the time of danger, we may inioy safetie and securitie. For the God in whom wee trust is able to supply all our wants, to preserue vs in the day of danger, and to defeate and bring to nought all the plots and practises of all our e∣nemies; and if we make him our hope and confidence, he will be our strength and tower, and he will so watch ouer vs with his prouidence, that we may sleepe securely vnder the shadow of his wings. Fourth∣ly, let vs seeke with all earnestnesse, to haue our hearts inflamed with that heauenly fire of Gods loue, which being but a reflection or little sparke of his diuine loue towards vs, will be an euident signe to assure vs of it. And this loue of God in vs and towards vs, will worke in vs spirituall securitie in the assurance of Gods protection, who so loueth vs and whom we so loue; and this filiall affection, when we finde and feele it in vs, will cast out all seruile feare, and make vs bold and confi∣dent in the sense and apprehension of his fauour towards vs, knowing that hee who so deerely loueth vs is all-sufficient in wisedome and power, to turne all things to our good, and to make all our afflictions and tentations, our Enemies power and our owne weaknesse, to be∣come helpes and furtherances to our saluation. Fiftly, if wee would haue this spirituall securitie, we must by all meanes cleanse our hearts from carnall securitie, and nourish in them the true feare of God. For

as well may we accord Light and Darknesse, Fire and Water, Good and Euill, as spirituall securitie with that which is carnall. Whereas contrariwise, the true feare of God dwelling in vs, will banish all other feares, and make vs secure in those gracious Promises, which the Lord hath made vnto all that feare him: as namely, that there shall bee no∣thing wanting vnto them, and that hee will fulfull the desire of them that feare him, and will heare their crie and saue them. So that if they be not short in desiring safetie and securitie, the Lord will not be slow to grant it, or though they should be wanting vnto themselues in this regard, yet the Lord will not be wanting vnto them, seeing he is both willing and able to doe exceeding abundantly, aboue that wee can either aske or thinke. Sixtly, if we desire this securitie, we must labour, that wee may be alwayes found clothed with the garment of righteous∣nesse, both the imputed righteousnesse of Christ applied by faith, which doth perfectly free vs from all danger, and bring with it peace of conscience and ioy in the holy Ghost; and inherent righteousnesse and holinesse wrought in vs by vertue of Christs death and resurre∣ction, whereby wee are entitled vnto all the promises of Gods grace and protection made vnto the righteous, and among the rest vnto them especially which concerne our safetie and securitie, of which I haue before spoken. Seuenthly, (which is like vnto the former) wee must studie and indeauour to performe vnto God, in lieu of thankful∣nesse for all his benefits, new obedience; not that of the Law which is impossible, but Euangelicall which is the obedience of faith: when hauing respect vnto all Gods Commandements wee labour to walke in them with sincere and vpright hearts, and with constancie and per∣seuerance vnto the end. And if wee thus seeke out this old and good way, it will bring vs to this rest of spirituall securitie which we labour after. If we take this sweet and easie yoke of Euangelicall obedience, and hating all Pharisaicall pride, learne of Christ to bee meeke and lowly in heart, we haue his gratious promise for it, that wee shall find this rest for our soules. If we approue our selues to be the children of our heauenly Father, by hauing his image of holinesse and righteous∣nesse stamped on vs, and by yeelding in all things obedience to his Will, that so we may be acceptable in his sight, then will hee giue vs the spirit of adoption, which will cast out all seruile feare, and giue vs much confidence, boldnesse and securitie in the assurance of his loue.

§. 6 The sixt meanes, con∣tempt of the World.

The sixt meanes to enioy this spirituall securitie is, to cast out of our hearts all carnall loue of earthly things, and so to contemne the world and worldly vanities, as that we can be content, if God so plea∣seth, to leaue them as well as enioy them. For if hauing our desires mortified to the world, wee haue learned with the Apostle Paul, In whatsoeuer state wee are therewith to be content: If wee know how to bee abased, and how to abound, and bee euery where, and in all things instru∣cted, both to be full and to be hungrie, both to abound and to suffer need: then may we in a great part be freed from all carnall feare, and both securely enioy these transitorie things when God giueth them, be∣cause

it will not much trouble vs if it bee his pleasure to take them away; and also securely want them, when God scanteth vs of them, because our desires and hopes are moderate after their fruition. For our feares hold a proportion with our loue and hope, neither can they be little if these be great, nor contrariwise excessiue and immoderate, if these tempered and ouerruled with reason and religion. And there∣fore if our hearts be weaned from the loue of earthly things, then may we hold them (as children their birds which they are wearie of) in our open hands, being secure and carelesse, whether they stay with vs, or (as Salomon speaketh) like the Eagle betake themselues to their wings and flee away. But if our affections and loue bee still fixed and fastned on them, then will wee be vnwilling to leaue them, and so al∣wayes in feare, lest they be taken from vs. For (as one sayth) no man can be secure in the fruition of that, which he is altogether vnwilling to lose and forgoe.

§. 7 The seuenth meanes to keepe our hearts vpright, and our con∣sciences pure.

The fift meanes of spirituall securitie is, to keepe our hearts vp∣right, and our consciences pure and vndefiled from sinne; especially from such sinnes as are committed, not through ignorance and infir∣mitie, but against knowledge and conscience. Or if we haue fallen in∣to any such, our second care must bee to arise out of them and forsake them, and to purge our consciences by bathing them in the blood of Christ by Faith, and in the teares of vnfayned repentance. For the conscience is of the nature of the eye, it must be kept cleane, and then it will be cheerfull and quiet; but if we nourish in it willingly the least sinnes (as it were little Motes in our sight) it will smart and rage, and neuer bee quiet till they bee cast out. And so long as we doe thus pre∣serue the peace of a good conscience, wee may bee secure and without feare, because we haue also peace with God, For if our heart condemne vs not, then haue wee confidence towards. God (as the Apostle speaketh) and whatsoeuer we aske we receiue of him, because we keepe his Comman∣dements, and doe those things which are pleasing in his sight. But if our heart condemne vs (then will not God acquit vs) for hee is greater then our heart, and knoweth all things. So that onely the pure conscience can be the secure conscience; for sinne is the onely cause of feare, and therefore if i•• be purged away, there is no place for feare to lodge in. But if sinne remayne and defile the heart and conscience, there is no roome for securitie; for how can a man be secure, that by guilt of sinne is liable to Gods displeasure, and hath broken the peace with him? how can he not be full of feare, that is daily in danger to be attached with his iudgements; and to beare the deserued punishment of his sinne? And this the Heathens saw by the light of nature, namely, that Guilt and Feare, Innocency and Securitie, like inseparable compani∣ons accompanie one another. For one being asked who they were that liued securely, answered, They onely who were not conscious

vnto themselues of any euill. And another affirmeth, that it is a great portion of securitie to doe nothing vniustly; in which regard men of might lead a life confused and disturbed, because looke how much they hurt, and so much also they feare. For though a man may be safe for the present, hauing an euill conscience, yet hee can neuer bee secure; and though when he sinneth he be not taken with the manner, yet he is alwayes in feare of being taken. He is troubled in his sleepe, and whilest any mans wickednesse is spoken of, he thinketh of his owne; and though the guiltie may haue the hap to bee hid, yet cannot they haue the confidence of it.

§. 8 The last means is, Christian watchfulnesse and often exa∣mination of our estates.

The last meanes of securitie is, to keepe a narrow watch ouer all our wayes, and often to examine our estates, & to cast vp our accounts betweene God and vs, and when we find that we are cast behind hand, to plead Christs payment by a liuely Faith, that so wee may get our Quietus est, and haue the Hand-writing of the Law cancelled and nay∣led to his Crosse. For this securitie is not caused like that which is carnall, by negligence and sloth, but by care and watchfulnesse; For then may wee securely expect our summons to come to Gods Audit, when like the wise Steward we find the Booke of our reckonings iust and straight. Then may we with much peace and cheerfulnesse be cal∣led to giue vp our accounts, when wee find, that wee haue profitably imployed our Masters talents, and haue encreased them fiue or ten fold, by putting them out to the vse of our Lord; that is, the aduance∣ment of his glorie, and good of our fellow seruants. Then may wee with the wise Virgins securely expect the comming of our Bride∣groome, though through naturall heauinesse, we be sometimes ouer∣taken with drowsinesse, and take a nap, if we doe in our vsuall course stand vpon our watch, and haue the Lamps of a Christian profession, replenished and trimmed with the inward oyle of Faith, and all other sauing Graces, and the outward light of good works and a godly and righteous life; seeing when hee commeth wee shall enter with him in∣to the bridall Chamber, and there solace our selues in his loue, and in the fruition of those inestimable and eternall ioyes which he hath pre∣pared for vs; the which he grant vnto vs, that hath deerly bought them for vs, Iesus Christ the Righteous; to whom with the Father and the holy Spirit, three Persons, and one Immortall, Inuisible, onely wise and infinitely good God, be ascribed al glo∣rie and prayse, power, maiestie and dominion, both now and for euer more.

Notes

• Iam. 1. 17. Matth. 7. 7. Ioh. 16. 23.
• Ioh. 10. 28.
• Psal. 23. 1. & 34. 10.
• Cant. 2. 3, 6.
• Zach. 2. 8.
• Gen. 4. 14.
• Apoc. 7. 3. & 9. 4.
• Iob 11. 14, 15, 18, 19.
• Matth. 5. 45. Gal. 6. 10.
• Matth. 6. 26. 30.
• Rom. 8. 32.
• Rom. 8 31.
• 2. Pet. 1. 10.
• Exod. 32. 25.
• Thirdly, Affi∣ance in God.
• Psal. 18. 1, 2. & 144. 2.
• Fourthly, Loue of God.
• Fiftly, The feare of God.
• Psal. 34. 9. & 145. 19.
• Eph. 3. 20.
• Sixtly, Chri∣stian righte∣ousnesse.
• Rom. 5. 1.
• Seuenthly, New obedi∣ence.
• Psal. 119. 6.
• Ier. 6. 16.
• Matt. 11. 28, 29.
• Phil. 4. 12.
• Defines timere, si sperare desie∣ris. Seneca.
• Pro. 23. 5.
• Nemo secu••us est in his bonis que potest inui∣tus a••••••tere. August de lib. arbit.
• Hic murus abe∣n••us esto ni•• con∣scire sibi, nulla pallescere cul a Hor••t. epist. l. 1. Epist▪ 1.
• Exemplo quod∣cu••{que} malo com∣mittitur, ipsi di∣splicet authori: prima haec est vl∣tio quod se iudice nemo nocens ab ••oluitur improba quam••is gratia fallacis prae••oris vicerit vrna. Iuvenal. Satyr. 13.
• 1. Ioh. 4. 20, 21.
• Quid prodest re∣condere se & o∣culos hominum a••res{que} vitare? bona conscientia turbam aduocat, mala etiam in solitudine anxia atque sollicita est: si honesta sunt quae facis, omnes sciant. Si turpia, quid refert neminem scire, cum tuscias? O te miserum si contemn•••• hunc testem. Senec. Epist. 43. Socrates interrega••us qui securè viuerent? qui inquit nihil sibi consciunt mali. Max. in serm. de Curios. Securitatis magna portio est nihil imqui facere, &c. Senec. Epist. 105.