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. 1 That this watch is neces∣sary, because God requi∣reth it.

THe next point to be considered, is the meanes whereby wee may both be stirred vp, and also inabled to keepe this Chri∣stian watch, which are partly reasons that may mooue vs to vndertake it, and partly helpes inabling vs to performe it. The reasons which may perswade vs vnto this watchfulnesse, are diuers; all which may be reduced vnto two heads. 1. Because it is most necessary. 2. Because it is exceeding profitable. The necessity of it appea∣reth diuers wayes. First, because God hath expresly required it; Take heed to thy selfe, & keep thy soule diligently, &c. Let your loynes be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye your selues, like vnto them that wait for their Lord, when he will returne from the wedding, that when he commeth and knocketh, ye may open vnto him immediately. So Ioshua exhorteth the people, to take diligent heed to doe the Commandement and the Law, to loue the Lord their God, and to walke in all his wayes, and to cleaue vnto him, and serue him with all their heart, and with all their soule. And our Sauiour Christ exhorteth all to watch and pray, because we doe not know when the time of his comming should be. And stir∣reth vp the Church of Sardis to be watchfull, and to strengthen the things

which did remaine and were ready to die. The which his Commandement, he powerfully and effectually presseth by diuers parables; as of the good∣man of the house, who carefully watcheth the comming of the thiefe, that hee may not rob and spoile him. Of the wise and faithfull seruant, who watcheth for the comming of his Lord, that hee may finde him imployed in his businesse, who being found faithfull, is richly rewarded for his care and diligence. And of the euill seruant, who neglecting this watch, is feare∣fully punished. And of the ten Virgins, whereof fiue were wise, and fiue foolish; the wise watching diligently for the comming of the Bride∣groome, and being found prepared, were receiued with him into the bri∣dall Chamber of ioy and happinesse; the foolish, through their carelesse negligence, being taken at vnawares and vnprouided, were excluded from his glorious presence for euermore. So that no duty is more straightly in∣ioyned and earnestly inforced then the spirituall watch, to the end wee might obserue it with the greater care and diligence, or if wee neglect it, hauing had so many and effectuall warnings, wee might bee left without excuse.

Notes

• Deut. 4. 9. Luk. 12. 36.
• Ios. 22. 5. & 23. 11.
• Mar. 13. 33, 37.
• Apoc. 3. 2.
• Luk. 12. 37.
• Mat. 25. 1. to 14