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. XXXIII.

How wee ought to behaue our selues in the estate of prosperity, that wee may thriue in all spirituall graces.

§. Sect. 1 What prospe∣rity is, and how apt wee are to abuse it through our corruption.

WEE are now come in the last place to consider how we ought to carry our selues euery day, in respect of those seueral estates and conditions of prosperitie and aduersitie vnto which God calleth vs. The which hauing no certaine and set time allotted vnto them by God, (for we may diuers daies toge∣ther flourish in prosperity, or bee as long cast downe and humbled by troubles and afflictions, yea sometime, and that most commonly, haue them intermingled the one with other, beginning the day with ioy in our prosperous affaires, and ending it with sorrow and griefe by reason of our crosses and calamities, or contrariwise haue cause of mourning in the morning, and of reioycing before the euening) therefore the duties which concerne these seuerall estates, cannot be limited to any set time, but must follow and accompany them, as it shall please God to giue vs occasion by the interchanging our diuers states and conditions the one with the other. Of which my purpose is to speake very briefely, though they bee matters which greatly import the Christian life, because I haue largely handled them already in my Christian Warfare. And first, for pros∣perity, * 1.1 which consisteth in the possession and fruition of all Gods tempo∣rall blessings or many of them, as health, wealth, peace, plenty, libertie, fame, friendship, honours, pleasures, with wife, children, houses, lands of the best sort; they are in themselues Gods good gifts, which he de∣lighteth * 1.2 to bestow vpon those that serue him, as the present pay and re∣ward of their loue and dutie; and wherein he would haue vs to delight, praying for them when we want them, and praysing him when wee haue them, as being in their owne nature, and if they bee rightly vsed, testi∣monies of Gods loue, and signes of his gracious presence. But in respect of our corruption, this state is liable to much abuse, as not being absolute∣ly good, but of an indifferent nature, in respect of that vse whch wee make of it, remaining good to those that vse it rightly, and degenerating into euill when it is abused. Vnto which abuse wee are naturally most prone, as euery man may finde, not onely by generall obseruation, but

in his owne lamentable experience; we being herein like vnto small ships, which carrying too great a sayle, are ouerturned in euery tempest; or like those, who hauing ill stomackes and weake braines, are ready to surfet of the best meates, vpon the least fulnesse, and to bee distempered and ouertaken with drunkennesse in the vse of the best drinkes, if they please their appetite, and take any more of them then will satisfie nature.

§. Sect. 2 That we must bee diligent, lest our pro∣sperity become vnto vs an oc∣casion of sin; and how this is to be done.

In which regard, prosperity, which is good in it selfe, becommeth ex∣ceeding dangerous vnto vs, as being an ordinary and common meanes, both to occasion our falls into many sinnes, and to hinder our rising a∣gaine by vnfained repentance. In which regard, it greatly behooueth vs, when we liue in this estate, to thinke that we walke in slippery places, and as it were vpon the narrow ridge of a steepe hill, the descent on both sides being headlong and dangerous, in which, if wee slide, wee are ready to tumble by degrees into a gulfe of wickednesse. And consequently, as we desire to walke acceptably vnto God, and tender our owne saluation, we must with all care and circumspection looke vnto our footing, that wee may be preserued from these fearefull falls, and receiue no hurt in this dan∣gerous passage. To which purpose, I will propound some rules concer∣ning the right carriage of our selues in this estate, which if wee obserue, they will serue as some stayes to keepe vs from slipping, and like rayles on either side of a narrow bridge ouer a deepe and dangerous riuer, preserue vs from falling and sinking into the depths of sinne and worldly wicked∣nesse. And to this purpose wee are to looke on the left hand with all care and prouidence, that we stay our selues, by shunning the abuse of our pro∣sperity, and on the right hand with no lesse heedfulnesse, that wee vse it rightly and in an holy manner. For the first, our care must bee, that wee so vse our worldly prosperity and temporall things, that they be not helps and inducements vnto any sinne. And to this end, let vs often consider, that they are the blessings of God, which he hath bestowed vpon vs, to incourage vs in his seruice; and therefore what a sinne and shame is it, to take occasion by his bounty the more to displease him? to vse them as the weapons of iniquity to fight on the deuils side, against our Lord and Soueraigne? and to abuse these benefits which are giuen vs of God for comforts in our pilgrimage, as impediments which hinder vs in our iourney, and as prickes in our sides, to hasten our speed towards hell and destruction.

§. Sect. 3 That in our prosperity we must take heed lest we forget God, that his blessings doe not draw our hearts from him, and that we be not vn∣thankfull.

More especially let vs take heed, that by these temporall blessings we be not made more forgetfull of God, vnto which vice we are naturally prone * 1.3 in the time of our prosperity, because, when wee inioy all wee desire, and haue neede of nothing, wee are not sensible that wee want his helpe; nor so apt to remember him, that wee may giue him thankes for that wee haue, as to begge at his hands the things wee want; as wee see in the example of the Prodigall, who thought not on his father, when hee was in prosperity, but when he is pinched with pouerty, then hee thinketh of returning vnto him. Whereof it is, that the Lord so often warned the Israelites, that when they inioyed ease and plenty in the Land of Promise, they should beware that they did not forget him: the which notwithstanding they neglected; for as the Prophet complaineth,

As in their pastures, so were they filled, they were filled, and their hearts * 1.4 were exalted; therefore they haue forgotten mee. Which that wee may not also do, let vs often consider, that it is a foule shame for vs to take occa∣sion by these tokens of Gods loue the sooner to forget him, which he hath purposely sent to put vs in minde of his loue and bounty towards vs. Let vs as often as wee looke vpon them, remember, that they are not chief∣ly * 1.5 purchased by our owne indeuours (for how many seeke, and cannot inioy them, who farre exceede vs in wit and industry?) but that wee haue them from God, and by his blessing vpon our labours. Finally, let vs often remember, that though wee abound in these earthly things, yet they will not doe vs any good, vnlesse God giue his blessing in their vse, and make them effectuall to those ends for which hee hath giuen them. Secondly, let vs bee carefull when wee abound with tempo∣rall blessings, that they doe not draw our hearts from God, as they surely will, if wee esteeme them as our chiefe treasures, and in our af∣fections dote too much vpon them; according to that of the Apostle Iohn; If any man loue the world, the loue of the Father is not in him. To * 1.6 which end let vs consider, that it is extreme folly to loue the creature better then the Creator, seeing whatsoeuer beautie, goodnesse or excel∣lency is in them, it is infinitely more in him, from whom they haue it as a small drop out of the maine Ocean. That it is horrible ingratitude and vnkindnesse to loue Gods gifts better then the giuer, and when as a gracious Bridegroome hee sendeth them as loue-tokens, or depu∣ties to woo our hearts, wee neglect him and dote vpon his messengers. Thirdly, let vs take heede, that by how much the Lord is more liberall in bestowing his benefits, that wee bee not by so much the more vn∣thankefull; which might seeme a needelesse admonition, if wee did not see by daily experience, that wee are in our pouerty more thankefull for euery small trifle, which relieueth our present necessities, then in our riches and abundance, when wee haue our wants supplied before they pinch vs; that wee are more ready to praise God for a little ease in a great sicknesse, then when wee inioy perfect health; and for a little sleepe after much restlesse waking, then when wee haue long taken our naturall and quiet repose, without any let, or the least disturbance. For wee see the worth of Gods blessings more in their want, then in their fruition, and the better wee know them, the more thankefull wee are for them. Besides, wee are apt to bee made wanton by our prosperitie, and to vex our selues more in longing after superfluities, then others in the want of necessaries. And if we be crossed in these desires, and haue not our appetite satisfied to the full, wee are ready vngratefully to for∣get all the good things which wee inioy, and to murmure and repine as if wee had nothing. Which odious vice that wee may auoid, let vs consider when wee finde our selues inclining vnto it, how many good things wee inioy that others want, who better deserue them; that God is as sufficient and ready to giue vs what wee want, as what wee haue, if in his wisedome and goodnesse he did see them fitting for vs. That we indan∣ger our selues to be depriued of our present blessings, by doting so vpon the things wee haue not, that we bee vnthankefull for that we haue; for

God seeing that our discontents arise from wantonnesse rather then want, will wisely take away the greatest part of his benefits, that wee may bee more thankefull for those that remaine.

§. Sect. 4 That in our prosperity we must beware of pride, secu∣rity, and hard∣nesse of heart, licentiousnes, and contempt of spirituall and heauenly things.

Fourthly, let vs in our prosperity watch ouer our selues, that we be not puffed vp with pride, vnto which this estate through our corruption ma∣keth * 1.7 vs prone, as we may see, not onely in the examples of former times, as Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Babylon, and of those wicked men, of whom the Psalmist speaketh, who being inclosed in their owne fat, spake proudly with their mouth, and flourishing in all earthly aboundance, put on pride as a chaine about their neckes; yea holy Dauid and good Ezechias were thus ouertaken, and though in the time of their trouble they were meeke and humble, yet were their hearts lifted vp in their prosperity. The which, the experience of these times doth make too manifest, wherein not onely meere worldlings, but euen many of the faithfull are taynted with this odious vice, by reason of their earthly aboundance, and long prospering in their worldly desires. Which that we may preuent, let vs consider, that we haue nothing but what we haue receiued, not as absolute gifts, but as our Masters goods, lent onely vnto vs for our vse, for which wee stand in∣debted, and must giue an account at the day of Iudgement; and what reason haue wee to bee proud of our debts? that God so hateth this vice of pride, that hee will rather withdraw from vs his spirituall graces, and his gracious assistance in the time of tentation, that by falling into other sinnes we may be cured of this, and haue our soules adorned with true hu∣mility; and therefore how much rather will hee depriue vs of temporall benefits, and things of farre lesse value, then we should continue infected with this vice, which aboue all others he most abhorreth? And when the greatnesse of our gifts and possessions beginne to puffe vs vp, let vs thinke, how we haue imployed them, and whether we haue so increased and im∣prooued them for the glory of our Master, and good of our fellow seruants, as that we may with cheerefulnesse present our selues before God, when he calleth vs to a reckoning. Finally, in our greatest plenty of earthly things, let vs call to minde our spirituall wants, and how defectiue wee are in sanctifying and sauing graces, especially in our thankfulnesse vnto God for these temporall benefits; and so our plentie in the one will not so much exalt vs, as our defects in the other, which are much more excellent and ne∣cessary, will humble and abase vs. Fifthly, when wee inioy prosperity, let vs beware of security and hardnesse of heart, which is an ordinary effect that doth accompany it. For men are apt to flatter themselues in the as∣surance of Gods loue, when he causeth them to prosper in their courses, and giueth vnto them these outward signes of his fauour; and so to liue in their sinnes with impenitencie and hardnesse of heart, promising vnto them∣selues impunity, and that all shall goe well with them for the time to come. Thus Dauid saith; because the wicked mans wayes prospered, Therefore Gods iudgements were high aboue out of his sight, presuming that he * 1.8 should neuer bee mooued nor come into any danger. Yea he himselfe, as he con∣fesseth, was thus ouertaken with security, presuming in his prosperity, that he should neuer be mooued. Which that wee may auoyd, let vs consider, that * 1.9 temporall blessings are no infallible signes of Gods loue, seeing as the

Wise man speaketh, they happen to all alike, and are more often and liberal∣ly * 1.10 bestowed vpon Gods enemies, who haue their portion in this life, then vpon his owne children, for whom he reserueth the euerlasting and hea∣uenly inheritance; that there is a vicissitude and change of all these estates, and nothing remaineth certaine vnder the Sunne; that the longer God de∣ferreth, the more seuerely he will punish when hee commeth, and the grea∣ter our blessings are, the greater shall be our plagues, if we abuse them to security and impenitencie. Sixthly, let vs take heede when we are in pro∣sperity, that we doe not abuse it to licentiousnesse and carnall liberty, vn∣to which, men in this state are most prone, as the Histories of all times and daily experience teacheth. For who seeth not, that they who abound in wealth and worldly honours, doe for the most part giue themselues ouer to all voluptuous and sensuall delights; as though God had sent them into the world, and had put into their hands such large wages of earthly bles∣sings, that they should spend them and their precious time, in Hunting and Hawking, carding and dycing, courting, dancing and reuelling, drin∣king, feasting, and such like carnall pleasures? yea, who doth not perceiue, that they often abuse them to iniury and oppression, reuenge, and all kinds of vniustice, when they haue to deale with their inferiours; abusing their power and authority vnto tyranny, which they thinke neuer sufficiently manifested and magnified, till they haue borne downe and troden vnder foote, all that standeth in their way, right and reason, law, conscience, and common honestie? which abuses that we may shunne, let vs remem∣ber often the maine ends why God hath giuen vs these worldly benefits aboue others, namely, that we might be better inabled, and become more forward to glorifie him, to doe more good vnto our brethren, and abound in the workes of mercy and Christian charity, and that wee might haue better meanes to serue him with cheerefulnesse, and thereby to further our owne saluation. Of which ends, if we faile, God will either take these gifts from vs, because wee mis-spend them in vaine, or else let vs still keepe them for a further and greater iudgement. Let vs thinke in our greatnesse, that there is a greater then wee, who will one day call vs to a reckoning, and fearefully reuenge vpon vs the iniuries of the oppressed, and the shamefull abuse of our power and authority to vniustice and cruelty. Se∣uenthly, let vs beware, that our prosperity be not an occasion vnto vs of the contempt and neglect of spirituall and heauenly things, which ordinarily happeneth vnto those, vvho in their iudgements too much esteeme, and in their hearts immoderately affect these temporall blessings, as vve see in the example of those vvho vvere inuited to the Kings Supper, Demas, * 1.11 Iudas, and many others. To vvhich purpose, let vs often meditate on the excellency, profit, and necessity of Gods sauing graces, and the ineffable felicity of our heauenly inheritance, and how much these exceed the other. Let vs also often consider of the dignity of our soules, and hovv * 1.12 much they exceede in excellency our corruptible bodies, that vvee may take more care to haue them thriue in spirituall grace, and to reioyce in their assurance of future glory, then to glut our bodies vvith sensuall de∣lights, or to vvaxe rich, and grovv great in our earthly possessions. Let vs remember that the time vvill come, that our spirituall grace, vvhich

worldlings so much contemne, will stand vs in more stead, and bring vnto our soules more sound comfort then all the wealth of the world, or Mo∣narchy of the whole earth; and therefore that it is most extreme and sottish folly, so farre to affect those flitting and fading vanities, as to neg∣lect in the meane time these spirituall excellencies.

§. Sect. 5 That in our prosperity we must beware of being sloth∣full in Gods seruice, and that worldly things doe not become thorns and snares vn∣to vs.

Eighthly, let it be our care in the time of our prosperity, that wee doe not grow more sluggish and slothfull in Gods seruice, in Prayer, hearing the Word, Reading, Meditation; for the more we are taken vp with our earthly imployments, the lesse we minde these holy duties and religious exercises, as we see in the experience of many, who haue beene forward in them in their sickenesse, pouerty, and meane estates, and wholly neglect them, or coldly, carelesly, and formally performe them, when they inioy health, wealth, and worldly preferments. Yea, Gods good Children of∣tentimes are heerewith ouertaken, hauing a great dampe cast ouer their zeale and deuotion by these worldly mists; as we see in good Martha her * 1.13 selfe, who by her worldly businesse was made more cold and carelesse in attending vnto Christ. Which, that wee may auoyd, let vs consider, that when we abound with all worldly blessings, we stand more in need of spi∣rituall helpes, to keepe vs vpright in our wayes, and from falling into those sinnes, to which this prosperous state exposeth vs. And that these earthly benefits being Gods present wages, whereby he incourageth vs to doe him more diligent and faithfull seruice, it is a shamefull abuse of his bounty, to bee made thereby more slothfull and negligent. Ninthly, let vs take heed in our prosperity, that these worldly things, through our ouermuch affecting them, doe not become thornes to choake in vs the seed of Gods Word, and hinder in vs the growth of his spirituall graces, the which through our corruption they are apt to doe, as our Sauiour teacheth vs in the Parable of the Sower; partly by catching hold of vs, and hindring vs * 1.14 from going into the holy assemblies, as wee see in the example of those, who being inuited to the Kings Supper, pretended excuses and would not come; and of the Iewes, who when God spake vnto them in their prospe∣rity, * 1.15 professed that they would not hearken vnto him, nor obey his voyce. And partly by distracting our mindes and hearts when we are there, so as wee cannot attend vnto the things deliuered; as we see in the example of the Iewes, who, when the Prophet preached vnto them, with their mouthes * 1.16 made iests, and suffered their hearts to runne after couetousnesse. Which that we may auoyd, let vs hold them in our hands, as ready to imploy them in Gods seruice, and for the good of our brethren, but not suffer them through carnall loue to take rooting in our hearts, which is Gods portion and fairest field, allotted to receiue the seede of his Word, for the growth of spirituall graces. Or if the enuious man hath sowed any of these tares and weedes in them, let vs roote them out with all care and diligence, be∣fore wee goe into the holy assemblies, that they may not choake in vs that spirituall seede, nor hinder the growth of sauing graces; and let vs, as the Apostle exhorteth vs, mortifie our earthly lusts, and flie carnall concupis∣cence, when we desire to bee furnished with Gods graces, by the Mini∣stery of the Word, and to follow after righteousnesse, godlinesse, faith, loue, * 1.17 patience, and meekenesse.

§. Sect. 6 That we must carefully arme our selues a∣gainst the ten∣tations vnto which this estate is indan∣gered; and take heede that it hinder not our hea∣uenly happi∣nesse.

Tenthly, let it be our care when wee are in prosperity, to set a double watch ouer our selues, that we be not ouercome with those manifold ten∣tations, * 1.18 vnto which this estate doth chiefly expose vs, as loue of the world, earthly-mindednesse, ambition, couetousnesse, voluptuousnesse, and the rest. To which end let vs consider, that in these worldly thickets Satan cunningly layeth his most dangerous ambushments, to surprize vs with his tentations at vnawares; that they are his traps and snares, in which hee intangleth many, and keepeth them in his slauery; and his vsuall baites, whereby he allureth vs to come within the compasse of his nets of perditi∣on, vnto which, who so stoope with a greedy appetite, fall into many foo∣lish and noysome lusts, which drowne them in destruction. Finally, that they are his common wages, which he offereth as his hire, to draw men to serue him in the workes of darkenesse, wherewith hee hath preuailed with so many, that he thought it his strongest inducement to perswade our Saui∣our * 1.19 Christ himselfe to yeeld vnto him and doe him seruice. And there∣fore as we desire to stand in the day of tentation, to preuent our foyles, and would not hazzard the eternall saluation of our soules, let vs in our prosperity watch ouer our selues, and also earnestly desire the Watchman of Israel to watch ouer vs, that wee may be preserued from all these dan∣gers. Finally, let vs, when we inioy prosperity and temporall blessings, aboue all things carefully take heed, that they do not hinder our heauenly happinesse, by being burthens on our shoulders, which will tire vs in our iourney thitherwards, and as the Camels bunch vpon our backes, which will hinder vs from entring into the straight gate. The which our care must be redoubled by the greatnesse of the danger, seeing it is a most hard thing for the same man to inioy earth and heauen, to haue temporall feli∣citie in the full fruition of worldly things, and eternall happinesse in Gods Kingdome, to haue the honours, riches, and pleasures of this life, and eternall glory, lasting riches, and heauenly ioyes in the life to come. For the Apostle telleth vs, that not many wise men after the flesh, nor many mighty, * 1.20 nor many noble are called vnto them; and our Sauiour hath taught vs, that it is easier for a Camell to passe thorow the eye of a needle, then for a rich man * 1.21 to enter into the Kingdome of God. For preuenting of which danger, and the auoyding of this incomparable losse; let vs vse these earthly things, as though * 1.22 we vsed them not, or as not abusing them, making them to serue as helpes in our pilgrimage to further vs in our way, by imploying them to all good vses; and when they begin through our carnall loue to cling vnto vs, and to become heauy burthens to hinder vs in our race, let vs, as the Apostle exhorteth vs, cast them off, that we may run more cheerefully, and parting * 1.23 with our superfluities for the reliefe of others necessities, let vs retaine onely so much as may further vs in our iourney.

§. Sect. 7 That we must not too highly esteeme, nor too earnestly affect and seek after earthly things.

But especially, let vs take heed, that wee doe not value them in our iudgements, affect them in our hearts, nor seeke after them in our actions and indeuours, more then spirituall graces and heauenly happinesse; that we doe not make Idols of them, by louing them more then God, taking more paines to get them, and more care to keepe them, and more griefe to lose them, then the assurance of his fauour, or to carry our selues accept∣ably in his sight; finally, though we doe not vtterly reiect them from ha∣uing

some place in our hearts, yet let vs beware, that wee doe not giue them the chiefe seate, but let them haue entertainement, according to their owne ranke and condition, as things indifferently good, and farre short in excellencie vnto spirituall graces and heauenly glory; that though wee possesse them, yet we be not possessed of them, nor become their slaues, whereas God hath made vs their Lords and gouernours. And that wee may not thus excessiuely esteeme and immoderately loue them, let vs con∣sider, that in themselues they deserue it not, being in comparison of grace and glory, of no worth; and though they were to others of some value, yet not vnto vs who professe Christianity. In themselues they are in the former comparison to be lightly esteemed, and slightly affected, seeing they bring not vnto vs any absolute, true, and certaine good, because in their owne na∣ture they haue not in them any such degree of goodnesse, being vaine and of no solidity, whereof it is that they doe not satisfie those that haue them, and not onely vnprofitable to their owners, for the chiefe and best vses and ends, but also mixt and distasted with many euils and miseries which doe attend vpon them. Or though they were good, yet wee haue no certainetie, either in getting or keeping them, because both they and wee are both momentany and mutable, and are euery day in danger to bee parted from one another. Yea so farre are they from any absolute goodnesse, that through our corruption, by which wee become apt to abuse them, they are causes, or at least occasions of much hurt; being pro∣uocations vnto all sinne, both against God, our neighbours, and our selues, deriuing vnto vs innumerable euils, both temporall, and those ciuill and spirituall, and also eternall, as hindring the fruition of heauenly happi∣nesse, and furthering and increasing euerlasting punishments; or though they were good in themselues, and were not through our abuse occasions of these euils; yet they are not to bee esteemed and affected in respect of vs, who are but Pilgrims on earth, hauing only the vse and benefit of them in our passage, and (as it were) in our Inne where wee are to make but short abode; and Citizens of heauen, and heires of those eternall ioyes and lasting happinesse, which infinitely exceed all worldly things, in which, being our Countrey, we doe expect durable riches and euerlasting * 1.24 habitations. All which reasons I doe heere but briefly touch, and content my selfe with, namely, these generall heads, because I haue largely hand∣led, and effectually pressed them as I was able, in my second part of the Christian Warfare.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In the second and third part of the Christi∣an Warfare.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 35. 37. Eccle. 3. 22. Psal. 118. 25. & 116. 12, 13. Gen. 39. 2, 23.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 15.
• * 1.4

  Deut. 6. 10, 11. & 8. 10, 11. Hos. 13. 6.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 127. 1, 2.
• * 1.6

  1. Ioh. 2. 15.
• * 1.7

  Exod. 5. 2. Esa. 10. 8. & 47. 7, 8. Psal. 10. 10. & 73. 6, 9. 2. Sam. 24. 1. 2. Chro. 32. 25. 1. Cor. 4. 7.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 10 6. Eccl. 8. 11.
• * 1.9

  Psal. 30. 6.
• * 1.10

  Eccl. 9. 1.
• * 1.11

  Luk. 14 18.
• * 1.12

  3. Epist. of Iohn. vers. 2.
• * 1.13

  Luk. 10. 41, 42.
• * 1.14

  Mat. 13. 22.
• * 1.15

  Ier. 22. 21.
• * 1.16

  Ezech. 33. 31.
• * 1.17

  1. Tim. 6. 10, 11.
• * 1.18

  1. Tim. 6. 9. Deut. 7. 25.
• * 1.19

  Math. 4. 9.
• * 1.20

  1. Cor. 1. 26.
• * 1.21

  Matth. 19. 24.
• * 1.22

  1. Cor. 7. 31.
• * 1.23

  Heb. 12. 1.
• * 1.24

  Ioh. 14. 2. Heb. 11. 9, 10.