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.

CAP. V.

Of the loue of God, and diuers vertues which spring from it.

§. Sect. 1 Of the loue of God, what it is, and wherein it consisteth, and of the measure and meanes of it.

THe next mayne and principall dutie is the loue of God, when as knowing, beleeuing, and remembring his infinitenesse in all goodnesse, excellency, beauty, and all perfection, and his inestimable loue, grace, and bounty towards vs, we doe loue him againe with all our heart, soule, minde, and strength, aboue all things, and all other things in him, and for his sake. So that the causes of our loue towards God, are his goodnesse, excellencie, beau∣tie and perfection in himselfe; and his goodnesse, grace, and benignity towards vs. For goodnesse is the onely obiect of loue, neither doe wee loue any thing which is not either truely good, or at least appeareth good vnto vs. And therfore seeing God is the summum bonum, and chiefe good∣nesse, when his nature appeareth to be so, we should loue him chiefly, and place our chiefe happinesse in his fruition. But yet because in this state of corruption we are full of selfe-loue, therefore wee cannot loue God per∣fectly and absolutely for himselfe as we ought, till wee bee assured of his loue towards vs, and haue it shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost: for we loue him, because he loued vs first, as the Apostle speaketh. Now the * 1.1 measure of our loue, wherewith we are to loue God, ought to be without measure, both because he is immeasurable in goodnesse in his owne na∣ture, and also because his loue towards vs hath exceeded all measure; the which appeareth not only in our creation, whereby he hath giuen vs vnto our selues, and made vs his most excellent creatures, but also in our Re∣demption, wherein he hath giuen himselfe vnto vs, euen his onely begot∣ten and dearely beloued Sonne, of the same nature with himselfe, to die for our sinnes, and rise againe for our iustification; and that, when we were not friends, but of no strength, strangers, sinners, enemies vnto him and his grace, the slaues of Satan, and children of wrath as well as others. And therefore if he thus loued vs, when we merited no loue, yea when we de∣serued wrath and hatred, how much more, if it were possible, should wee

loue him who is most louely, and infinitely deserueth our loue? But be∣cause our nature being finite, we cannot loue him infinitely, wee ought therefore to loue him as much as is possible for vs, with all our hearts, soules, and strength: Or if we cannot thus doe, in respect of our corrup∣tion, yet at least we must loue him in sincerity and vprightnesse of heart, as much as we can, and be heartily sorry that wee can loue him no better. We must loue him aboue all things in the world, as house, lands, parents, children, wiues, yea our owne liues, and be ready with all cheerefulnesse to lay them downe for him, as he hath first laid downe his life for vs. For if we ought to loue all things in him and for him, then ought wee to loue him much more, preferring his glory euen before our owne saluation, when as they come in comparison, the one with the other. And this is that loue of God, which is to be imbraced of vs, as being in it selfe a most ex∣cellent vertue, and in diuers respects to be preferred before faith and hope; * 1.2 and to vs most profitable, feeing it assureth vs of Gods loue, and remission * 1.3 of our sinnes, transformeth vs, after a manner, into the diuine nature (for where is loue, there is likenesse, and it is the nature of it to change the lo∣uer, as much as may be, into the party beloued) and finally weaneth our hearts from the loue of the world and earthly vanities, and lifteth vp our affections and thoughts vnto God and heauenly things; maketh all that we doe or suffer for Gods sake, easie and tolerable, yea sweete and comfort∣able: for it seeketh not her owne, beareth all things, endureth all things; it ina∣bleth * 1.4 vs to offer vnto God cheerefull obedience, and to performe all du∣ties of holinesse and righteousnesse required vnto a godly life, with ioy and delight, which without it are irkesome and vnpleasant, yea intolerable and impossible vnto flesh and blood. Now the meanes whereby our hearts may be inflamed with this diuine fire of Gods loue, are, first, that we of∣ten meditate vpon Gods infinite goodnesse, excellency, beauty, and per∣fection, which make him worthy of all loue, and how hee hath exercised these sauing attributes towards vs, in our creation and preseruation, in our redemption, giuing his only Sonne to die for vs, and for his sake forgiuing vs all our sinnes, and in bestowing vpon vs all the good things which wee inioy in this life, or hope for in the life to come.

§. Sect. 2 Of the zeale of Gods glory, what it is, and wherein it con∣sisteth.

Now the vertues and graces which arise and issue from loue, are diuers, as zeale of Gods glory, ioy, and reioycing in God, thankefulnesse and o∣bedience. Zeale is the fruit and effect of our feruent loue towards God, and as it were a flame arising from this diuine fire, whereby we are made most carefull and earnest in seeking Gods glory, both in aduancing and furthering all meanes whereby it is furthered, and in opposing, hindring, and remoouing all the impediments whereby it may bee hindred. And this is to be shewed in all other vertues, as being the intension of them, and in all duties which we performe vnto God. So the Apostle telleth vs generally, that it is good to be zealously affected alwayes in a good thing. * 1.5 Our loue towards God, and hatred of sinne, must be zealous and hot, and not cold or luke-warme; our repentance must bee ioyned with zeale; Bee zealous and amend. We must zealously worship and serue God, according * 1.6 to that of the Apostle; feruent in Spirit, seruing the Lord. Wee must not * 1.7 onely doe good workes, but be zealous of them. Wee must pray with

zeale exceedingly, and powre out our hearts like water before the Lord; with * 1.8 zeale we must preach the Word, and be inwardly affected with that wee speake, that so also we may affect others; and we must with zeale heare the Word, and euen hunger and thirst after this spirituall food of our soules, * 1.9 that we may grow vp thereby. But yet our care must be, that our zeale be guided with knowledge, and not shew it selfe in all things, but (as the A∣postle speaketh) onely in a good matter; and also that in aduancing of the * 1.10 meanes of Gods glory, and remoouing the impediments, wee keepe our selues within the limits of our callings. Now the meanes to attaine vnto this zeale, is to consider often and seriously how great things the Lord hath done for vs, which will make vs thinke that we can neuer be too ear∣nest in seeking his glory, nor too intent and feruent in all holy duties of his seruice. That it is an inseparable propertie of all grace, to be zealous in them, and therefore there can be no grace at all, where zeale is wanting. That is an vndoubted signe of those who are the redeemed of the Lord, to be zealous of good works: & therfore where there is no zeale, there can be no * 1.11 signe of redemption by Christ; finally, that luke-warmenesse is most loth∣some vnto God, and that those who are so, he will spue out of his mouth. * 1.12

§. Sect. 3 Of reioycing in God, what it is, and the meanes wher∣by we may at∣taine vnto it.

The second vertue arising from loue, is ioy and reioycing in God, when being assured of his loue towards vs, and louing him againe, tasting for the present, how good the Lord is, and perswading our selues of the full fruition of him in the life to come, we are exceedingly deligh∣ted, and euen glory in the assurance and sense of Gods fauour. For it is the nature of loue to make vs reioyce in the thing beloued: and as the more excellent any thing is in our conceite, the more our loue exceedeth, so according to the measure of our loue, such also is our ioy when we in∣ioy it. And therefore needes must our ioy and reioycing in God exceed all other ioy, because our loue ought to bee proportioned to his good∣nesse and excellency, and our ioy to our loue. In which respect, this diuine ioy swalloweth vp all worldly griefe, and causeth vs to glory, not onely in worldly prosperity, but also in persecution and tribulation. * 1.13 And this is that ioy vnto which the Scriptures exhort vs: Reioyce in the * 1.14 Lord alway, and againe, I say, Reioyce. Reioyce euermore. Delight thy selfe in the Lord, and he will giue thee the desires of thine heart. Which if we at∣taine vnto, then haue wee euen in this life, the first beginnings of our heauenly happinesse. For as the Apostle teacheth vs, the Kingdome of God * 1.15 consisteth in righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the holy Ghost. Now the meanes to obtaine this ioy, is to labour after assurance that wee are vnited vnto Christ; for we cannot haue it in our selues, but in, and through him: ac∣cording to that of the Apostle, We ioy in God, through our Lord Iesus Christ, * 1.16 by whom now we haue receiued the atonement. Secondly, if we would haue this ioy, we must labour after the assurance of our iustification, and remis∣sion of our sinnes; for peace with God followeth our iustification by faith, * 1.17 and ioy this peace. Thirdly, let vs labour after this assurance, that wee are the sonnes of God by adoption and grace, and to haue it sealed vnto vs in our hearts and consciences, by his holy Spirit, that so our assurance of our heauenly inheritance, may vphold our ioy and reioycing in the middest of temporary crosses and afflictions. Finally, let vs labour

to feele Gods loue shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Ghost, which wee shall best discerne, by finding them inflamed with feruent loue towards God, approoued to bee sincere, by our care to flee all sinne which is odious vnto him, and imbracing all vertue and goodnesse which is acceptable in his sight. And if wee inioy God in this mutuall loue, wee shall in all estates glory and reioyce in it, and in the middest of all worldly extremities, comfort our selues, with Dauid, in the Lord * 1.18 our God.

§. Sect. 4 Of thankful¦nes vnto God, what is requi∣red vnto it; and the meanes of it.

The third vertue arising from the loue of God, is vnfained thankfulnes: for when in consideration of Gods goodnesse, mercy, and bounty to∣wards * 1.19 vs, our hearts are inflamed with his loue, and replenished with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious, then doe we thinke, with Dauid, what wee may returne vnto him for all his benefits; and finding no possible meanes of making the least requitall, in regard of our impotency, and Gods all-sufficiency, we doe at last resolue to remaine for euer thankfull debters, and to expresse our thankefulnesse, both by our words in praysing and magnifying, and in all our actions by glorifying him our Benefa∣ctour, who hath beene so infinitely gracious vnto vs, seeing wee haue nothing else to returne vnto him. So that our loue of God, procee∣ding from his loue towards vs, is the roote of our thankefulnesse, and our reioycing in his loue and goodnesse, an inseparable companion of it. For this thankefulnesse is a vertue, whereby knowing, acknowledg∣ing, and reioycing in the sense and feeling of Gods loue, goodnesse, and bountie towards vs, wee are inwardly thankefull vnto him for all his benefits, and outwardly expresse it, by praysing and glorifying his holy Name, both by our lips and liues, whereby it appeareth what is re∣quired to this vertue of thankefulnesse. First, that wee apprehend Gods loue, and inwardly reioyce in it, hauing our hearts thorowly affected with the sense of his goodnesse and bounty towards vs. Secondly, that wee doe not ascribe the blessings and benefits which wee inioy, vnto any * 1.20 thing else, but onely vnto God, as our supreme and chiefe Benefactour, who is the principall Author of all our good. Thirdly, that wee doe not smother our thankefulnesse in our hearts, but cause it to breake forth, first, in our words, by praysing & magnifying Gods holy name; for as the Psal∣mist speaketh, It becommeth the righteous to be thankefull; and secondly, in * 1.21 our workes, by doing those things which are pleasing vnto God, in whom our soule delighteth; that so the light of our godly liues shining before men, we may cause them also to glorifie our Father which is in heauen. * 1.22 The which ought to be performed of vs in all things and at all times, both in prosperity and aduersity, plenty and penury, health and sicknesse; ac∣cording to that of the Apostle, But be filled with the Spirit, speaking to your selues in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall songs, singing and making melo∣die * 1.23 in your hearts to the Lord; giuing thankes alwayes for all things vnto God the Father, in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ. An example whereof wee haue in Iob, who blessed the Lord when he was depriued of all his sub∣stance; * 1.24 and in the Church grieuously afflicted, who in the middest of all her calamities, did acknowledge Gods mercies, in that they were not vt∣terly * 1.25 consumed. Now the meanes whereby vve may be stirred vp to this

duty, and inabled to performe it, are first to consider, that this thankfulnes and thanksgiuing is good, pleasant and comely; according to that of the Psalmist; Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing praises vnto our God: for it is * 1.26 pleasant, and praise is comely. Secondly, consider that it is the will of God that we should be thankefull vnto him for all his benefits, which if we per∣forme, he requireth nothing else at our hands, nor any other requitall for all his mercy and goodnesse towards vs. And this reason the Apostle vseth, * 1.27 In euery thing giue thankes: for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus concerning you. Thirdly, that it is most pleasing vnto God, and that the sacrifice of the calues of the lips is much more acceptable then of Bulls and Goats. Fourthly, let vs continually meditate vpon Gods manifold and inestima∣ble mercies bestowed vpon vs in time past, his eternall loue, our election, creation, the great worke of our redemption by the death of his onely be∣gotten and dearely beloued Sonne, our vocation and effectuall calling to the participation of this great benefit, from which innumerable o∣thers are excluded; our iustification, sanctification, continuall preseruati∣on, together with our assured hope of glorificatiō, with al special blessings which from day to day he bestoweth vpon vs. With all which, our hearts will be filled with thankfulnes, and our mouthes with praises & thankesgi∣uing, if we throughly meditate on them: especially if withall we consider our vnworthines of the least of Gods fauours, and according to Iacobs ex∣ample, * 1.28 compare Gods inestimable mercies with our demerits. Lastly, let vs meditate and consider what a foule vice vngratitude is, & how vile and odious in the sight of God & mē, that the Lord wil neuer let it go vnpuni∣shed, nor suffer any to inioy his benefits, who through their vngratitude wil not acknowledge them, nor render the praises which are due vnto him.

§. Sect. 5 Of obedience vnto God, what it is, and wherein it consisteth; and of the proper∣ties of true o∣bedience.

The fourth and last vertue arising from the loue of God, is obedience; which is a fruit of our loue, and thankfulnesse, whereby in all things we submit our selues, our wills and actions, wholy vnto Gods good will and pleasure, both in doing all that he requireth, and in patient suffring what∣soeuer he imposeth. So that this obedience is of two kinds. First, our actiue obedience to Gods Law, whereby wee conforme our whole man vnto the reuealed will of God. The which is an inseparable fruit of our loue towards God, and an infallible note whereby wee may discerne that which is sound and sincere, from that which is false and counterfaite; for if we loue God, we will keepe his Commandements; And this is the loue of God, if we keepe his Commandements, and his Commandements are not grieuous. The * 1.29 properties of this obedience are these: First, that it be absolute vnto what∣soeuer * 1.30 God requireth, and admit of no discourse of reason when we know his will; but whether profit or disprofit, honour or disgrace, the fauour or displeasure of men doe follow vpon it, we are to doe the things that he * 1.31 inioyneth. Secondly, it must be total, both in respect of the obiect and sub∣iect. In respect of the obiect, we must obey God in all his Commande∣ments at all times, neither adding nor detracting, nor declining there∣from * 1.32 on the right hand or on the left. Neither is it sufficient that wee o∣bey God in some things, and neglect others, or in many and most things, and not in some few: for he that thus sinneth in one thing, is guilty of all; but we must propound vnto our selues the whole Law of God for the rule * 1.33

of our liues, obseruing one table as well as another, and worship him both in holinesse and righteousnesse, and that not only for some small time, but * 1.34 all the dayes of our liues. In respect of the subiect, our obedience must bee * 1.35 with the whole man, and like our loue from which it springeth, it must be performed with all our hearts, soules and strength. But especially the Lord requireth the inward obedience of the heart, wherein he chiefely * 1.36 delighteth; we must worship him in spirit and truth, in sincerity and vp∣rightnesse of heart, as before his face, and in his sight and presence; neither is it sufficient that we doe that which is right, vnlesse we doe it vprightly. It must be voluntary with cheerefulnesse and delight, as the Saints and Angels doe the will of God in heauen. For loue maketh euery burthen light, and the Commandements of God not to be grieuous. Yet this in∣ternall obedience is not sufficient, vnlesse the externall be ioyned with it. * 1.37 For God will bee worshipped with the whole man, with our bodies, as well as with our soules; with our outward actions, as well as with our in∣ward affections.

§. Sect. 6 Of the meanes of obedience, whereby we may be ena∣bled to per∣forme it.

Now the meanes which may moue and enable vs to yeeld this obedi∣ence, are these; first, we must consider that the Lord hath created vs to this * 1.38 end, that we should serue him, and to the same purpose, when we were by sin vtterly lost, hath redeemed vs with the inestimable price of his Sonnes most precious blood, that wee should worship him in holinesse and righteous∣nesse before him all the dayes of our liues, that being freed from sinne, we should become the seruants of righteousnesse; and from the slauerie of Satan, that we should spend our dayes in Gods seruice. Secondly, let vs meditate on the riches of reward, and that liberall wages which the Lord hath freely promised to giue vnto those who faithfully serue him; in which respect we may iustly say of our actiue obedience, as the Apostle of our passiue, that all our seruice in this present world, is not worthy the glory * 1.39 which shall be reueyled; for it is slight, short and imperfect, but shall cause vn∣to vs a farre more excellent and eternall waight of Glory. Thirdly, let vs con∣sider, that though our best seruice be mingled with many imperfections, and stayned with our corruptions, yet God in Christ will accept of it, and not only pardon our wants, but reward our wills and workes. For he will * 1.40 spare vs, as a man spareth his sonne that serueth him, accepting of our will for the deede, and of our sincere affections, as of perfect actions. Fourthly, let vs consider, that hereby we shall be assured of all Gods promises: for Godlinesse is profitable for all things, hauing the promises of this life, and of that * 1.41 which is to come. Neither doth God require our obedience for his owne sake; (for he is most absolute in perfection, and our righteousnesse doth not * 1.42 profit or extend vnto him) but for our owne good and benefit, that he may crowne our obedience with eternall blessednesse. For hee that keepeth the Law, happie is he; and he that heareth Christs Word, and keepeth it, is by * 1.43 him pronounced blessed. Lastly, let vs often propound vnto our selues the examples of Gods Saints and Seruants, that haue gone before vs, and set before vs their obedience as a patterne for our imitation: For more cheerefully may we trauaile in this way of holinesse and righteousnesse, if wee see a plaine path beaten by those that haue gone before vs. But especi∣ally let vs set before vs the neuer-erring example of our Sauiour Christ,

who tooke more delight in doing his Fathers will, then in his meate and drinke, and in all things was obedient vnto him to the death, euen the * 1.44 bitter death of the Crosse, as the Apostle speaketh.

§. Sect. 7 Of passiue o∣bedience, and patience in af∣flictions.

The second kinde of obedience is passiue, and is called patience, which is a fruit of our loue and thankfulnesse towards God, whereby we submit our selues meekely and constantly to beare all those crosses and af∣flictions, * 1.45 which it shall please God to lay vpon vs. The causes of which patience are diuers; the first and principall is the Spirit of God, of which it is a fruit. Secondly, a liuely faith, which not only apprehendeth the pro∣mise of eternall happinesse, with which our temporarie afflictions are not to be compared, but Gods speciall promises of strength to indure all tri∣als, and of helpe and deliuerance in Gods due time. Thirdly, trust and affiance in God, who hath promised to be with vs in all our afflictions, and neuer leaue vs to our owne weakenesse, or to the malice and fury of our e∣nemies, vpon which we conclude, that though he kill vs, yet we will trust in * 1.46 him. But the loue of God is the next and immediate cause of our pati∣ence, which maketh vs meekely to suffer whatsoeuer he imposeth, who so loueth vs, and whom we so loue. For loue endureth all things, and the grea∣test difficulties are not hard vnto it. It is stronger then death, the waters * 1.47 of afflictions cannot quench it, and the floods of calamities cannot drowne it. The obiect of this patience is afflictions, which the Lord im∣poseth for the tryall or correction of his children; for all, whom he loueth, he chastiseth: and whosoeuer will be Christs Disciple, must denie himselfe, take vp * 1.48 his Crosse, and follow him, that is, that crosse and measure of afflictions which God himselfe imposeth vpon him: Neither are we to take vpon vs burthens of our owne making, but such only as the Lord allotteth vnto vs; which are those alone that we cannot by lawfull meanes auoid, or with∣out falling into sinne. The manner how we are to beare these afflictions, is first voluntarily, with a meeke, quiet and contented minde, as being sent of God for our good, yea cheerefully and ioyfully, as they are signes and seales of our adoption, and speciall meanes to further and assure our euer∣lasting saluation. Secondly, we must beare them constantly, so long as it shall please God to continue them vpon vs, that is, till he giueth vs honest * 1.49 and lawfull meanes to be freed and deliuered from them; not thinking it inough that we haue borne some few, or many afflictions, but holding out vnto the end: for he is not crowned who hath fought well for a time, but he that neuer giueth ouer, till he haue obtained the victory, acording to that of our Sauiour; Be faithfull vnto the death, and I will giue thee the * 1.50 Crowne of life. But of these points, as also of the meanes whereby wee may be enabled with patience, comfort and ioy to endure afflictions, I haue written largely * 1.51 elsewhere, and therefore will content my selfe thus brief∣ly to haue touched them in this place.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 5. 5. 1. Ioh. 4. 19.
• * 1.2

  1. Cor. 13. 13.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 7. 47.
• * 1.4

  1. Cor. 13. 6, 7.
• * 1.5

  Gal. 4. 18.
• * 1.6

  Apoc. 3. 19.
• * 1.7

  Rom. 12. 11. Tit. 2. 14. 1. Thes. 3. 10.
• * 1.8

  Lam. 2. 19.
• * 1.9

  1. Pet. 2. 1.
• * 1.10

  Gal. 4. 18.
• * 1.11

  Tit. 2. 14.
• * 1.12

  Apoc. 3. 17.
• * 1.13

  Rom. 5. 3.
• * 1.14

  Phil. 4. 4. 1. Thes. 5. 16. Psal. 37. 4.
• * 1.15

  Rom. 14. 17.
• * 1.16

  Rom. 5. 11.
• * 1.17

  Rom. 5. 1, 3.
• * 1.18

  1. Sam. 30. 6. 1. Thes. 1. 6.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 116. 12.
• * 1.20

  Jam. 1. 17.
• * 1.21

  Psal. 33. 1.
• * 1.22

  Mat. 5. 16.
• * 1.23

  Eph. 5. 18, 19.
• * 1.24

  Iob 1. 21.
• * 1.25

  Lam. 3. 32.
• * 1.26

  Psal. 147. 1.
• * 1.27

  1. Thes. 5. 18. Psal. 50. 13, 14.
• * 1.28

  Gen. 32. 10.
• * 1.29

  Ioh. 14. 15.
• * 1.30

  1. Ioh. 5. 3.
• * 1.31

  Act. 4. 19. & 5. 29.
• * 1.32

  Gal. 3. 10. Deut. 12. 32. Ios. 1. 7.
• * 1.33

  Iam. 2. 10.
• * 1.34

  Luke 1. 74, 75.
• * 1.35

  Deut. 11. 1.
• * 1.36

  Pro. 23. 26. Iohn 4. 23. Luke 1. 74. 2. Chro. 25. 2.
• * 1.37

  1. John 5. 3.
• * 1.38

  1. Cor. 6. 20. Luke 1. 74. Rom. 6. 18.
• * 1.39

  Rom. 8. 18. 2. Cor. 4. 17.
• * 1.40

  Mal. 3. 17.
• * 1.41

  1. Tim. 4. 8.
• * 1.42

  Job 22. 2. Psal. 16. 3.
• * 1.43

  Pro. 29. 18. Luke 11. 28.
• * 1.44

  John 4. 34. Phil. 2. 6, 7.
• * 1.45

  Gal. 5. 22.
• * 1.46

  Iohn 13. 15.
• * 1.47

  1. Cor. 13. 7. Cant. 8. 6, 7.
• * 1.48

  Heb. 12. Luke 9. 23.
• * 1.49

  Iam. 1. 4.
• * 1.50

  2. Cor. 4. 16. Apoc. 2. 10.
• * 1.51

  Christian Warfare the third part.