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. VIII.

Of the fourth mayne daily duty, which is to arme our selues against all sinne, and to deuote our selues wholly to Gods seruice.

§. Sect. 1 That we must necessarily arme our selues against all sin, and the reasons of it.

THe fourth mayne duty, daily to be performed, is to arme and strengthen our selues daily against sinne; and deuote our soules and bodies wholly to Gods seruice, in the performance of all Christian duties which may bee pleasing in his sight. Concerning the former: It is most necessary that wee conti∣nually arme our selues against sinne, and gather daily new strength, to withstand and mortifie our corruptions. First, because Satan like a roa∣ring Lyon, walketh continually about, seeking to deuoure vs, laying at all times and in all places, his nets and snares of perdition, and many baites of worldly vanities, and seales of euill examples, to allure vs to stoope and giue ouer our heauenly flight, that so he may catch and insnare vs to our destruction. Secondly, because the world, as a strong enemy, daily ioy∣neth with him, labouring one while with her smiles and fauours; her allure∣ments

and proffers of prosperity, to intice vs to follow those patternes and precedents of euill, which she setteth before vs; and another while with frownes and threats, afflictions and persecutions, to thrust vs by mayne force into sinne. Thirdly, because we nourish continually a secret tray∣tour in our bosomes, which is daily ready to betray vs into their hands, euen our owne flesh and corrupt nature, which is prone to all euill, and taketh delight in nothing more then in glutting it selfe with the pleasures of sinne. So that no sooner doe we giue ouer fighting, but we are present∣ly foyled; no sooner doe we desist rowing and tugging against the streame of our naturall corruptions, but they presently carry vs downe with a swift course, into some one or other sinfull action. Fourthly, because many are the wiles and deceits of sinne, which will easily circumuent vs, if wee doe not daily obserue and labour to defeate them. One while they will pre∣tend friendship, and that they will doe vs good; or at least, that they are innocent, and will not hurt vs; and at another time necessity, that wee cannot liue without them, or if wee doe, a life no better then death, vn∣cheerefull and vncomfortable. Sometime they will pleade custome and prescription, which entreth them into possession (as it were) by course of Law. And if we can answere this, they will offer themselues like ghests, crauing but one nights lodging, with promise then to be gone: but after∣wards when they are admitted, either by force take possession, or else vp∣on further acquaintance and better liking, desire to make longer abode. Lastly, because the occasions of sinne daily are many, as the obiects of vn∣lawfull pleasures, which bewitch vs with their alluring tunes, and of sin∣full gaine and profit, which like golden chaines, draw vs into wicked cour∣ses; and of pride and vaine-glory, which easily perswade vs, who are na∣turally ambitious, to vse any meanes which may further our aduance∣ment. Vnto which, wee may adde the daily occasions of vniust anger, thrusting vs on to reuenge; of enuy or disdaine; of wantonnesse and vn∣cleannesse; of vaine, vnsauoury, and rotten communication, through sin∣full society and wicked company, and innumerable such others; all which will powerfully draw vs to sinne, if wee be not daily armed against it. In all which respects, it is most necessary that wee arme our selues, and make daily warre against all our sinnes, especially against those which cleane fastest to our corrupt natures, and vnto which we are most prone and apt to fall. Of which we may take the better and surer notice, if wee consider what they were, which before our conuersion did most raigne and rule in vs, seeing these in the state of regeneration, though they be deposed from their regency, yet will, of all others be most hardly expelled; or being in some measure driuen out, yet out of their experience of their former victories, will conceiue hope of repossessing their wonted hold, and to this end will lurke and honer about vs, that they may spie opportunity of re-entring, like Crowes and other birds of prey, which are beaten off a field, where they haue long vsed to feede. As also if we obserue what are those sinnes which our corruption most liketh and longeth after, and is most ready to extenuate and excuse, when we are touched and reprooued for them, making them light and veniall, by gilding them ouer with vaine, friuolous, or false pretences. And finally, wee may know them by

our owne lamentable experience, when as we carefully obserue what sinnes most distract vs in all good exercises, and hinder our growth in godli∣nesse; and what they bee, into which, through frailty we most often fall, and whereby we haue beene most ouertaken. And when wee haue by these meanes taken notice of them, we must with most diligence and re∣solution arme our selues against them; seeing by them wee haue most dishonoured God, and wounded our owne consciences, and are in grea∣test danger to be ouercome, and led captiue to hell and destruction, be∣ing like bordering enemies, which haue a strong party in our selues, and haue best opportunity to take all aduantages against vs.

§. Sect. 2 Of the meanes to work in our hearts a true hatred of sin.

Now the meanes whereby we may be armed against all sinnes in gene∣rall, and these in particular, are many. The first and principall, is to worke our hearts to a deadly and vnreconcilable hatred against them, by medi∣tating of the infinite Maiesty and goodnesse of God, against whom they are committed, how great and glorious he is in himselfe, and how good and gracious vnto vs, who hath giuen vs all the good things which wee inioy or hope for, yea his chiefest Iewell, his best beloued Sonne to die for vs: By considering that it is aboue all things most hatefull and displea∣sing vnto God, and maketh all creatures in whom it is most odious, though neuer so much beloued of him; As we see in the example of the reiected Iewes; Adam cast out of Paradise, the Sonne of God himselfe, who bearing our sinnes, did beare all his Fathers wrath, and could not bee re∣conciled, till by his sufferings he had made full satisfaction to his Iustice. That it is most haynous and capitall, being committed against so infinite a Maiesty, as appeareth by those dreadfull and eternall punishments, which Gods righteous iudgement inflicteth on those that commit it, in this world and the world to come, that it is the greatest folly in the world, hazarding the eternall saluation of our most precious soules, which are of more worth then many Monarchies, and plunging them into hell and euerlasting destruction, for the momentany and vncertaine fruition of earthly vanities. That it pierced the Lord of life, and nailed him to the Crosse, causing him to be condemned that came to saue vs, and to be put to a shamefull death, who came to giue vnto vs euerlasting life. That the deepe dye of it so stained our soules, that nothing could wash away the filthy spots that it left behind it, but the precious blood of Christ. That it vexeth and grieueth the good Spirit of God dwelling in vs, & by defiling our bodies and soules which are his Temples, doth make him weary of his lodging. That aboue all things it delighteth the deuill, as being the child and darling of this hellish parent; and maketh vs to become fit roomes for him to reuell in, and to passe his time with most delight. Let vs consi∣der of the manifold euils which it causeth vnto vs, both priuatiue and po∣sitiue, in this life and in the life to come. For it depriueth vs of all good, and bringeth with it all euill. It separateth betweene our God and vs, and turneth the greatest loue into the most dangerous enmity. It defaceth his Image in vs, and stampeth vpon vs the image of the deuill. It frustrateth the end of our creation, which was, to glorifie God, by our worshipping and seruing him, yea of our Redemption by Christ, if wee liue and die in it without repentance. It casteth vs (like out-lawes) out of Gods pro∣tection,

and maketh vs (like slaues) subiect to the tyranny of Satan. It is the cause of all the euils of punishment, which are inflicted vpon the crea∣tures in this life and the life to come. It blindeth the minde, and harden∣eth the heart, debarreth vs of all sweete communion with God, and de∣priueth vs of the inestimable comforts of his holy Spirit. It weakeneth our faith, and woundeth our conscience, taketh away all inward peace, and filleth our hearts with shame and sorrow, and our faces with blush∣ing, or (which is worse) with impudency. It depriueth vs of Gods eter∣nall and most comfortable presence, and of the ioyes of his heauenly Kingdome, and plungeth vs headlong into hell and destruction. Finally, let vs adde vnto these, whatsoeuer other euils we can imagine, and then conclude, that sinne, as the cursed mother of them all, hath bred them in her hellish wombe.

§. Sect. 3 Of the meanes whereby we may be streng∣thened against sinne.

And when by these meditations wee haue wrought our hearts vnto a true hatred of all sinne; there are other meanes to be vsed of vs, that wee may be strongly armed against it. As first, that wee doe thorowout the whole day entertaine and nourish good and holy desires, and firme and constant resolutions, that we will resist and withstand it, in what manner or forme so euer it shall set vpon vs. For nothing will bring more easie and assured victory, then Christian courage and resolution, to fight and striue against it, grounded not on our owne strength, but vpon the power and promises of God, and that we will let passe no good meanes vnassayed whereby we may ouercome. Secondly, wee must keepe a daily and con∣tinuall watch ouer our selues, and especially ouer our hearts, that wee be not surprised on a sudden, nor hardened or hartened in any wicked course, through the deceitfulnesse of sinne; of which, we shall haue occasion to speake more fully heereafter. Thirdly, we must be no lesse carefull in fly∣ing all occasions, inducements, and prouocations vnto sinne, then the sin∣full acts themselues; for if we wilfully cast our selues into these tentations, it is iust with God to deliuer vs vnto euill. Fourthly, we must make con∣science of committing of the least sinnes, which being admitted, will make roome for the greatest; and withstand sinnes in the first degrees, as soone as they are suggested by the deuill, the world, or our owne flesh; casting out this hellish wild-fire, before it hath by the least abode inflamed our concupiscence, or before this seede of impiety hath gotten any warmth or growth. Fifthly, we must be so bold and valorous in Gods as∣sistance, as that in the meane time we be suspicious and fearefull, in respect of our owne weakenesse and frailty, and the might and malice of our in∣numerable enemies, taking good heede, whilest we stand, of falling, and working out our saluation with feare and trembling. Sixthly, wee must dai∣ly walke with God, and carry our selues continually as in his sight and presence, who not onely taketh notice of all our actions, but also will cause vs one day to giue a strict account of them, either to reward them graciously, if they bee good; or to punish them seuerely, if they be euill. Lastly, let vs daily and continually resigne our selues ouer into the hands of God, who is alone able to deliuer vs from all euill, and craue instantly his protection from all enemies, and the direction of his holy Spirit, that by the good guide thereof, we may thorowout the whole day be preserued

and kept in the way of righteousnesse and holinesse, and from erring and going astray in the by-paths of sinne.

§. Sect. 4 That wee must imbrace all vertues and Christian duties.

And as we are thus daily to arme our selues against sinne; so are wee constantly and continually to desire and resolue in our hearts, that we will imbrace all vertue, and performe all Christian duties, both vnto God, our neighbours and our selues, thorowout the whole day, not thinking any grace or good duty so small, that it may be neglected, or so difficult and of such an high nature, that it may not be attempted and sought after. Nei∣ther must we content our selues to take the occasions of well-doing, when they are offred & thrust vpon vs, but we must exercise our minds, by study∣ing and aduising how we may get & gaine the best opportunities of doing most good, both for the aduancement of Gods glory, and our owne and our neighbours good. But especially wee must set our selues with most earnest study, and serious diligence to attaine vnto, and adorne our soules with those graces, wherein they are most defectiue, and to performe those duties which our consciences tell vs that wee haue in time past most neg∣lected, not because they were in their owne nature lesse excellent, profit∣able, or necessary (for so when time and opportunity will not suffer vs to performe all, we may omit lawfully those duties which are of least vse and importance) but because our corrupt natures being most auerse vnto them, we finde them most difficult and vnpleasant vnto vs. For so shall we receiue a double benefit, not onely doing that which is good, but also in doing it, profit daily in the denying of our selues and our owne wils, in the mortifying of our corrupt nature, in that wherein it is most strong and re∣bellious, and in strengthening our regenerate part and new man, in that wherein it is most weake and defectiue. And if wee would thus daily in∣large our desires, and strengthen our resolutions, to the imbracing and practising of all vertuous actions and good duties, we should receiue sin∣gular profit by it. For we should not so easily as we doe, let slip the occa∣sions of well doing, but take hold of the opportunity when it is offered; we should not be so faint-hearted, and weake-handed in good duties, nor so easily daunted and discouraged in them, but should become strong and valorous, if we would thus daily confirme and strengthen our hearts and hands, by these good resolutions, that we will let passe no opportunity of performing those Christian duties which God requireth of vs. Finally, notwithstanding our many frailties and infirmities in our best actions, and slips and falls into sinne, we should be accepted of God through Christ, in this Euangelicall obedience, as though it were free from all imperfecti∣on; seeing he respecteth more our hearts then our hands, and our resoluti∣ons and indeuours, more then our abilities and performances.

Notes

• 1. Pet. 5. 8.
• Pro. 4. 23. Heb. 3. 13.
• Pro. 28. 13. 1. Cor. 10. 12. Phil. 2. 13.
• Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 17. 1. 2. Cor. 5. 10.