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. XL.

That we must sanctifie our rest, by consecrating it to the duties of Gods seruice.

§. Sect. 1 That we must rise betimes on the Lords Day.

ANd thus much concerning the rest, and things from which wee must abstaine on the Lords Day; The second thing to be considered, is the sanctifying of this rest, by consecrating it vnto those duties of Gods seruice, which vpon this day he requireth of vs. For it is not sufficient, that we refraine from working, and doe nothing, seeing our beasts doe this as well as wee, but we must make it an holy rest, abstaining from our owne workes, that wee may doe the workes of God. In which regard it is called, not onely a Sab∣bath, and day of rest, but Gods Sabbath and Holy-day, wherein he inioy∣neth vs to doe him seruice. And if he abhorreth idlenesse at all times, and condemneth the neglect of our own works in all the rest of the weeke, then much more if we be idle vpon his Day, and spend that time which he hath allotted to his owne seruice, in sloth and idlenesse. Neither doth the Lord simply require a rest for it owne sake (seeing in it selfe it is lesse profitable and acceptable then action and labour) but as being a sanctified rest, it is a meanes to fit vs for his seruice, which is the end of it, vnto which if we at∣taine not, it is vaine and vnprofitable, yea wicked and sinfull. Now the du∣ties of Gods seruice, whereby this rest is sanctified, are either priuate or publike; the which, because they are interchangeably mixed with one ano∣ther, therefore I will obserue a mixt method in handling of them. The first priuate duty, is, that we awake and rise as timely this day to doe God seruice (and if we be Gouernours of families, that wee cause those who are vnder our charge to doe the like) as we doe (or ought to doe) on any of the weeke dayes to doe our owne workes. Yea, seeing Gods works are of much greater waight and worth, then our own, and our spirituall gaine of grace, and meanes of furthering the saluation of our soules, and our euerlasting happinesse in the life to come, are incomparably more excellent then earthly riches and delights, therefore as wee are watchfull on the weeke dayes to pursue these, and are willing to abridge our selues of our ordinary sleepe, when we haue any good opportunity offered for the compassing of

them; so should we herein exceede on the Lords Day, wherein wee haue such good meanes offered of inriching our soules with the spirituall trea∣sures of Gods sauing graces, and of attaining vnto the assurance of our heauenly ioyes, and those pleasures which are at Gods right hand for euer∣more; so farre foorth as the frailty and infirmity of nature will suffer, and not disable vs through drowzinesse, caused by want of sufficient sleepe, vn∣to the publike duties of Gods seruice. And therefore farre bee it from vs that professe Christianity, to imitate the practice of carnall worldlings, who rise betimes vpon the weeke dayes to goe about their owne businesse; but when the Lords Day commeth, lie long in bed, and (as they say) take vp their penny-worths of sleepe, in which they were scanted by their earthly imployments, because they thinke it an idle time, wherein they haue no∣thing to doe, sauing to make themselues ready and goe to Church; but ra∣ther, according to our profession, let vs imitate the example of our Saui∣our Christ, who did awake betimes to doe the workes of God, rising be∣fore day to pray, and afterwards preaching in the Synagogue.

§. Sect. 2 Of meditati∣ons fit to be vsed on the Lords Day.

Secondly, being awakened out of sleepe, we must in the first place settle our selues to performe those religious and holy duties belonging to euery morning, of which we haue formerly spoken, but with these differences; first, that wee respect in them the Lords Day, and make speciall applica∣tion of them vnto that present occasion. And secondly, that we doe in an extraordinary manner stirre vp our selues to performe them with more ar∣dent zeale, and greater deuotion then at any other time. For example, we must awake with God, and in our first thoughts set him before vs, and our selues in his presence, that we may in a speciall manner performe the peculiar duties of his seruice, which that Day aboue others he requireth of vs. And first, we must deuoutly lift vp our hearts and soules to praise his holy Name, for preseruing vs the whole weeke and night past from all perils and dangers, continuing still vnto vs, life, liberty, and all good meanes and opportunities, whereby wee are inabled yet once againe to sanctifie his Sabbath, by performing vnto him the duties of his seruice; earnestly desiring the continuance of his fauour, and the gracious assist∣ance of his holy Spirit, to guide and leade vs thorowout the day follow∣ing, that wee may therein carry our selues in such an holy and religious manner, as that all the seruice which we performe vnto him, may be plea∣sing and acceptable in his sight, and may wholly tend to the aduancement of his glory, the edification of our brethren, the inriching of our soules with all spirituall graces, and the furthering and assuring of our saluation. After which short Prayer, we are to spend some time in holy meditation, the subiect and matter whereof may bee the infinite and inestimable loue and mercies of God, innumerable wayes shewed vnto vs, but especially in giuing vnto vs his onely begotten and dearely beloued Sonne, to dye for our sinnes, and as this Day to arise againe for our iustification. In which, we may inlarge our selues as time and leasure will serue, by calling to our remembrance the particular parts of Christs Passion, as his miseries and afflictions in the whole course of his life, his betraying and apprehension, his haling to the Iudgement seate of mortall men, who was the Soue∣raigne Iudge of heauen and earth, his accusing and condemning, who

was innocent, that hee might acquit vs who are malefactours. Also how he was railed and spit vpon, scourged and tormented, clothed with purple and crowned with thornes, scorned and derided, numbred among the wicked, and crucified betweene two thieues, died the death, the bitter, ig∣nominious, and cursed death of the Crosse; and in his soule bore and in∣dured for our sakes the anger of God, much more heauy and intolerable then all his other sufferings, which made him in that his bitter agony to sweate water and blood, and to cry out vpon the Crosse; My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Vnto which, we may adde in our medita∣tions the manifold and exceeding fruits and benefits of his death and re∣surrection redounding vnto vs, that so we may not onely bee stirred vp to vnfained thankfulnesse vnto God the Father, who hath of his meere loue giuen his Sonne, euen when wee were strangers and enemies, to doe all this for vs; and to God the Sonne, who hath, being equall with his Father, thus humbled himselfe to worke the great worke of our Redemption; and to God the holy Spirit, for applying the fruits and benefits of Christs pas∣sion and resurrection vnto vs, making them effectuall for our iustification and saluation: but also hauing our hearts inflamed with the apprehension of this their loue, we may be mooued heereby to loue them againe, and bee made zealous in their seruice, thinking nothing enough which wee can doe, to glorifie them who haue beene so good and gracious vnto vs. We are to meditate also on our sinnes which we haue falne into, especial∣ly since the last Lords Day, either in the omission or imperfect perfor∣mance of good duties, or in the commission of euill that we may seriously bewaile and repent of them, before we present our selues in the holy assem∣blies, to performe the publike duties of Gods seruice. Seeing hee will be honoured in all that draw neere vnto him, either in his mercy, by forgiuing the sinnes of the repentant, or in his iustice, by punishing those that con∣tinue in their impenitency. So also wee are to examine and search out those sinnes and corruptions, vnto which our fraile nature is most incli∣ned, and wherewith wee haue beene most often ouertaken, that so going into Gods spirituall armorie, wee may fit our selues with such weapons as may defend and strengthen vs against them; and get such wholesome preseruatiues, as may keepe vs from being tainted and infected, after our recouery, with the like contagious poyson. Wee are likewise to examine our wants, and in what graces of Gods holy Spirit we are most defectiue, and in what holy duties wee are most backward and sluggish, that so wee may supply our defects when wee come into this spirituall market, by ap∣plying such doctrines and instructions, admonitions and exhortations, as shall be most fitting for this purpose.

§. Sect. 3 Of Prayer, Thankesgi∣uing, and rea∣ding the Scrip∣tures priuately on the Lords Day.

After some time spent in these and such like meditations, we are in the next place to performe the duty of priuate prayer, which is to be fitted to the Lords Day. For prostrating our selues before the Throne of grace, in the mediation of Iesus Christ, we are to confesse and acknowledge, as our other sinnes, so those especially whereby wee haue offended God in respect of his Sabbaths, and the duties of his seruice; as our originall corruption, whereby we haue vtterly disabled our selues, in all the powers and parts of our soules and bodies, to all holy duties and religious wor∣ship,

and become apt and prone to the contrary sinnes; and our actuall transgressions, whereby we haue broken all Gods Commandements, espe∣cially those which respect his Sabbaths and seruice; as the profaning of his holy Day by vtter neglect of all holy duties, or by imperfect perfor∣mance of them, want of preparation, of reuerence and attention, faith and feruency of spirit in hearing the Word, and calling vpon Gods name, want of care in laying it vp in our hearts and memories, and practising it in our liues, &c. And thus as in our Complaints wee are to bewaile other wants, so those especially which make vs vnfit to performe any acceptable seruice vnto God; and in our petitions, as wee are to beg other gifts and graces whereof we stand in need, so those aboue others, which inable vs to the better sanctification of the Lords Day, in performing vnto him his spirituall worship; as hungring and thirsting after the meanes of Gods glory, and our saluation, prepared hearts, and good consciences, faith, and feruency of spirit, reuerence and attention in hearing the Word; and Gods blessing and assistance of his holy Spirit vnto his Minister and Ambassadour, that he may speake the Word powerfully and profitably, as to all the Congregation whereof we are members, so vnto vs especially for our edification and building vp in all spirituall grace; the mortificati∣on of our speciall vices and corruptions, the increasing of our vertues, and confirming of our strength, vnto the performance of all Christian and holy duties, wherein as yet we are most defectiue. And finally, in our praises and thankesgiuing we are to magnifie Gods holy Name, as for all his blessings and benefits, so for those especially which respect this Day; As the giuing of Iesus Christ to be our Sauiour and Redeemer, and cau∣sing this Sunne of righteousnesse to arise and shine vnto vs; the continu∣ance of his Sabbaths, and the light of his Gospell, wherein hee reuealeth vnto vs his holy will concerning our saluation, and the meanes whereby we may attaine vnto it: the peace, liberty and safety which we inioy, toge∣ther with his spirituall fauours, for granting vnto vs his Word and Sacra∣ments, and making them in some measure effectuall by the inward opera∣tion of his holy Spirit, for the begetting and increasing of our faith, and the worke of Sanctification in vs, and the like. With prayer we must also, as leisure and opportunity serueth, ioyne the reading of some fit portion of holy Scriptures, for the better seasoning of our hearts, and settling of our affections vpon holy things, for the inflaming of them with the loue of Gods Law, and with longing desires after the publike meanes of our saluation. With which priuate exercises when wee haue prepared our selues, we must, if we be gouernours of families, vse all good meanes for the fitting and preparing of our children and seruants for the publike seruice of God; not thinking it enough for those that haue the charge of others, to performe priuate duties by themselues, vnlesse they cause their inferiours also to ioyne with them. But especially, before wee goe to the Church, we must call them all together vnto prayer, wherein, after the confession of our sinnes, and earnest petition for all necessary graces, wee are to desire the assistance of Gods holy Spirit, for the sanctifying and preparing of the whole family, that they may in some acceptable manner performe all good duties which belong to the Sanctification of the Lords

Day. Neither must we (as many doe) thinke it sufficient, that wee bring our families to Gods seruice, nor neglect the duty of priuate prayer, be∣cause it is to be performed publikely in the Congregation, and so cause one duty to shoulder and thrust out another, but wee must ioyne them together, seeing the priuate seruice of God is not onely on his holy Day acceptable in it selfe, but a notable and necessary meanes to fit and pre∣pare vs for the right performance of his publike worship. In which re∣spect, as we must be carefull that the publike seruice doe not exclude the priuate, either morning or euening; so much more, that the priuate doe not hinder the publike: but we must so order and dispose of these family-exercises, as that they may be finished in seasonable time, and not hinder vs from comming to the beginning of publike prayer with the residue of Gods people.

§. Sect. 4 Duties to be performed when we are going to the Church.

After all which duties performed in the family, we are, when we are rea∣dy to goe vnto the Church, or when wee are in the way, to spend that time in holy Meditations, thinking with our selues that we are going, not vpon some slight or ordinary businesse, but to present our selues in the glorious presence of the great King of heauen and earth, who being in∣finite in all holinesse and perfection, and a God of such pure and piercing eyes, that he seeth not onely our outward actions, but searcheth the heart and reines, hateth and abhorreth all impurity and corruption, dissimula∣tion and hypocrisie, all cold, formall and negligent seruice, and will bee worshipped of vs in spirit and truth. Let vs call to minde that we are go∣ing, not to conferre with our companions, or with mortal men, not much superiour vnto vs, but to speake and make our suits to Gods supreme and most glorious Maiesty, & to heare him speaking vnto vs by his Ambassa∣dours, in whose presence the heauens are vncleane, and the blessed Angels hide their faces. And that not about ordinary and slight matters, but such waighty and important businesse, as no lesse concerneth vs, then the eter∣nall saluation or damnation of our bodies and soules. Finally, that we are going about such affaires as will (according as we dispatch them) make vs much better or worse. For, the Word shall prosper, to the atchieuing of that end, for which God sends it, and shall neuer returne in vaine; either it will soften vs like wax, or harden vs like clay; either it will be Gods strong po∣wer to our saluation, and the sauour of life vnto life, or the sauour of death vnto death, for our deeper condemnation, and by performing this duty in hea∣ring of it, we shall be neerer heauen or hell. And hauing with these and such like meditations brought our selues to the place of diuine worship, let vs enter into it with all feare and reuerence, as into Gods owne House and place of his glorious presence; saying with Iacob, Surely the Lord is in this place; how dreadfull is this place? this is none other but the House of God, and this is the gate of heauen.

Notes

• Mar. 1. 35, 38.
• Iob. 3. 16.
• Rom. 5. 8, 10. Phil. 2. 6.
• Leuit. 10. 2.
• Luk. 1. 78, 79.
• Esa. 55. 11.
• 2. Cor. 2. 15, 16.
• Rom. 1. 16. 2. Cor. 2. 15, 16.
• Gen. 28. 16, 17.