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. 2 Of lifting vp our hearts by some short prayer.

Now this first seruice which we are to offer vnto God, consisteth in prayer and meditation, which are the two wings of our soules, whereby they soare aloft into heauen, and there inioy the presence of God. The first duty is prayer, whereby lifting vp our hearts vnto God with more fer∣uency then prolixity, wee doe in some short manner, render vnto God praise and thanksgiuing for our quiet rest, whereby our bodies are re∣freshed; for preseruing vs from all dangers of the night, both in our soules and bodies, especially from sinfull dreames, and the tentations and as∣saults of Satan, who would easily haue ouercome and vtterly destroyed vs, had not God watched ouer and defended vs by his power and proui∣dence. For letting vs againe inioy the light, and granting vs another day wherein we may doe him further seruice, and so make our owne calling and election sure. Vnto which, with like breuity wee are to adioyne the confession of our sinnes, especially of that night, if any such come to our knowledge and remembrance, and by reason of them, our great vnwor∣thinesse of these fauours and testimonies of Gods loue, desiring the par∣don of them, and the sanctification of the Spirit, whereby wee may be more and more freed from them. And finally, wee are to cast our selues

into the armes of his prouidence, commending our soules and bodies vn∣to his protection and direction, and desiring to bee so assisted with his grace and holy Spirit, that all the thoughts of our hearts, and words of our mouthes, and the workes of our hands, may the day following, and for euer be acceptable in his sight. And especially that he will so illighten, rule, and assist vs in our following meditations, that they may tend to his glory, and to our owne comfort and saluation.