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.

§. Sect. 5 Of the spiritu∣all sanctificati∣on, & the out∣ward rest.

And this is the rest required on the Sabbath; the sanctification of this rest is either by vsing the meanes, or doing the workes of sanctification. And this is done both publikely and priuately; publikely, by vsing the pub∣like meanes of sanctification in the seruice of God. And this is done, First, of the Ministers, by publike praying in the congregation, preaching and reading the Word, and administration of the Sacraments. Secondly, the people, by frequenting the assemblies in the beginning, and continu∣ing to the end of diuine seruice; and being there, by carrying and beha∣uing themselues religiously, diligently & vprightly, in calling vpon Gods name, hearing the Word, and in the right vse of the Sacraments. The publike workes of sanctification, are almesdeeds and collections for the poore. Priuately the Sabbath is sanctified, by our preparation to Gods publike seruice, which chiefly consisteth in meditation and prayer; and after the publike seruice, by meditating on the Word heard, and applying it to our owne vse, and by holy conferences with others. Vnto which du∣ties, respecting the publike worship, we are to adde and vse these other

meanes of sanctifying the remainder of the Lords day; Reading of the Scriptures or other religious & holy writings; meditation on Gods Word and workes, especially of creation, preseruation and redemption; Inuo∣cation by prayer; thankesgiuing and singing of Psalmes: and finally, godly conferences vpon some fit subiect, which best forteth to the pre∣sent occasion, and tendeth to the vse of edification: vnto which meanes we must adde the priuate workes of sanctification, which are the workes of mercy, and appertaine chiefly either to the body, as the giuing of alms, visiting the sicke and prisoners, curing diseases, &c. or else to the soule, as, teaching the ignorant, reclaiming those who are seduced by errour, admonishing those who faile of their duty by frailty and infir∣mity, rebuking the scandalous and wilfull offender, exhorting the back∣ward and sluggish, comforting the distressed, counsailing them for the good of their soules that neede counsaile, and reconciling those whom we know to be at variance. But we must not only sanctify the Sabbath, but also as a speciall helpe and meanes hereof, we must remember to doe it, that is, vse all prouidence and care, deuotion and diligence about these duties of sanctification. Before the Sabbath we must so forecast our bu∣sinesse, and dispose of all our worldly affaires, that wee be not distracted in performing of holy duties, by hauing our mindes, tongues or acti∣ons exercized and taken vp by them. And on the Sabbath we must re∣member to sanctifie it, by hauing our whole man taken vp in the seruice of God, both publikely and priuately, and by performing the duties re∣quired with all diligence and attention, sincerity and vprightnesse, cheerefulnesse and delight.

Notes

• Leuit. 19. 30. & 23. 2. 1. Cor. 16. 2.
• Psal. 92. 1.
• Esa. 58. 13.