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. 4 That our affli∣ctions tend to the setting foorth of Gods glory.

Fifthly, let vs also consider the ends of our afflictions, which God pro∣poundeth vnto them, wherein his great loue shineth and appeareth. The first and chiefe whereof, is his owne glory, seeing he manifesteth his power and goodnesse, by assisting vs in our afflictions, and by taking occasion thereby to shew and try his spirituall graces which he hath bestowed vpon vs; the which should comfort vs in all our troubles, seeing God heereby vouchsafeth vs this high priuiledge to be instruments of his glory. The second end, is the good both of our neighbours and our selues. They re∣ceiue much good by our afflictions; seeing they learne by our example to feare God in his iudgements, and are restrained from the same sinnes which they see corrected in vs. Secondly, as wee are ensamples of Gods graces shining in this fiery triall, and also through our infirmities of hu∣mane frailty, that seeing Gods perfection in our imperfections, and his power and wisedome in our folly and weakenesse, they may take occasion to glorifie him. Thirdly, because by our afflictions wee are made more compassionate and more able and ready to comfort others, with those

consolations wherewith our selues haue beene comforted. The which also should make vs patient in our troubles, yea euen to be thankfull, and great∣ly to reioyce, in that God vseth vs as meanes and instruments of our neigh∣bours good, whom wee ought to loue as our selues, and as much as in vs lieth, to helpe them in all things which may further their saluation.