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 by this watch we are made constant in the course of Christia∣nity.

Secondly, this watch is exceeding profitable, not onely as it preserueth vs from all sinfull wayes, and fitteth vs to walke in the wayes of godlinesse, but also as it inableth vs to be constant in this course, and to perseuere in it euen to the end. Seeing hereby we are strengthened against all discou∣ragements, auoyd or leape ouer all impediments, that like stumbling blockes are cast into our way, and are prepared and armed against all the assaults of our spirituall enemies, and all other oppositions which might incounter vs in our Christian course. Thirdly, it is a notable meanes of Christian security, so as keeping this watch, we may with Dauid, grow so confident, that though wee should walke thorow the vale of the shadow of * 1.1 death, yet we will feare no euill, because God also watcheth ouer them, who thus watch ouer themselues, so as hauing once set their watch, they may lay them downe securely and take their rest, because the Lord maketh them to * 1.2 dwell in safety. So also vpon the same grounds it causeth vnto vs inward peace, euen peace with God, and the peace of a good conscience, when as by helpe of this watch we carry our selues so in all things, as that wee and our works are accepted of him, and pleasing in his sight. The which peace cannot be impeached with the malice and might of all our enemies; for if God be with vs, who can be against vs? If he speake peace vnto our con∣sciences, * 1.3 though all the world should proclaime warre, it needs not to dis∣may vs, for though thousands fall on one side, and ten thousand on the other, it shall not hurt vs or disturbe our peace; for either the Lord will bee a wall of defence, and tower of strength to preserue vs from all danger, and to make vs shot-free euen at the Canons mouth; or else wee shall bee, with Iosiah, taken away in peace, although we fall by the hands of our enemies. * 1.4 From which security and peace, ariseth spirituall ioy, vnspeakable and glo∣rious, when as we are sure that nothing can hurt vs, or hinder our saluatiō, but all things, euen afflictions themselues, shall worke together for the best. Now what is this, but to haue a heauen vpon earth, when as in this momentany life those eternall ioyes are begun in vs? For as the Apostle telleth vs, The Kingdome of God is righteousnesse, peace, and ioy in the holy * 1.5 Ghost. Fourthly, by this Christian watch we are fitted to beare all estates, so as the great saile of prosperity shall not ouer-set vs, whilest vvee take heed vnto our hearts, that they be not vvithdravvne from God, and fasten∣ed vpon vvorldly things; nor be forced by the stormes of afflictions, to strike saile, and desist in our course tovvards our heauenly Countrey, much lesse to dash against the rockes of despaire, being assured that they * 1.6 are the signes of our adoption, euidences of Gods loue, and that by these manifold tribulations we shall enter into the Kingdome of heauen. Fifthly, by * 1.7

this vvatch vve are made ready for the comming of Christ vnto Iudge∣ment, and prepared to enter into the ioy of our Master, as we see in the pa∣rable of the faithfull seruant, and the wise Virgins; so as when the time ap∣procheth, the terrours of it need not to daunt vs, but rather expecting him with his reward in his hand, we may with confidence and ioy hold vp * 1.8 our heads, because our full Redemption draweth neere. Finally, by this watch∣fulnesse we are assured of blessednesse; seeing our Sauiour hath pronoun∣ced such as thus watch for his comming, blessed in so doing. Blessed (saith he) * 1.9 are those seruants whom the Lord when he commeth shall finde watching. Verily I say vnto you, that he shall gird himselfe, and make them to sit downe to meate, and will come forth and serue them, and make them owners of all his goods. In which regard he calleth them Blessed, blessed, and the third time blessed, to * 1.10 shew that they are thrice blessed, and euen perfected and consummate in blessednesse which keepe constantly the spirituall watch, and are thereby alwayes in readinesse and prepared for his comming.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tsal. 23. 4.
• * 1.2

  Psal. 4 8.
• * 1.3

  Rom. 8. 31.
• * 1.4

  2. Chron. 34. 28. and 35. 23, 24. 1. Pet. 1. 8.
• * 1.5

  Rom. 14. 17.
• * 1.6

  Heb. 12. 6.
• * 1.7

  Act. 14. 22.
• * 1.8

  Luk. 21. 28.
• * 1.9

  Luk. 12. 37, 38, 43. Math. 24. 46, 47.
• * 1.10

  Apoc. 16. 15.