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. XII.

Of the reasons whereby wee may bee perswaded to keepe this Christian watch.

§. 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 * 1.1 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 * 1.2 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 * 1.3 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 * 1.4

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 * 1.5 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 * 1.6 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.

§. Sect. 2 Other reasons shewing the necessity of keeping this watch.

The second reason to inforce the necessity of this watch, is taken from our estate and condition heere on earth. First, because through our cor∣ruption we are exceeding weake, and full of frailty and infirmity, by rea∣son whereof we are prone vnto sinne, and easily ouercome with the tenta∣tions of our spirituall enemies, if wee neglect the keeping of this vvatch, and be taken vnprouided. The which reason our Sauiour vseth to inforce the necessity of vvatching and praying. Watch and pray (saith he) lest ye fall into tentation: The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weake. So the Apo∣stle * 1.7 in this regard, vvilleth him that thinketh he standeth, to take heed lest he * 1.8 fall; and exhorteth vs to worke out our saluation with feare and trembling. And the Wiseman pronounceth him blessed, vvho in the sight and sence of * 1.9 his ovvne frailty and infirmity, feareth alwayes. For as it is necessary for * 1.10 those vvho haue vveake and sickly bodies, to obserue a strict diet; and for those Citizens, vvho being besieged by mighty and malicious enemies, and haue many breaches in their vvalls, to be very diligent to make them vp againe, and in the meane time, to keepe a carefull and strong vvatch ouer those vveake places, because their enemies are ready to take all ad∣uantages, and to giue the fiercest assaults vvhere they are likeliest to haue the speediest entrance and least resistance: So vve vpon the same grounds, must thinke it necessary to double our vvatch, because our soules are sick∣ly, and full of vvants and vveaknesses, and many breaches are made in the chiefest Bulvvarkes of our ovvne strength, by the cruell and continuall as∣saults of our spirituall enemies. Secondly, our care is necessary in keeping this vvatch, because naturally vvee are drovvzy and sleepy, like those in a Lethargy, vvho need to haue some continually standing by, and to keepe them avvake, by pricking and pinching them, that they may not fall into the sleepe of death. Yea, and after that vve are regenerate, and are espou∣sed vnto Christ, vve are apt vvith the fiue vvise Virgins, to nod often, and take a nap, vvhen as vvee should vvaite for the comming of our Bride∣groome. And if hee did not avvake vs daily, by his Spirit knocking at the doore of our hearts, and his gracious call sounding in his Word, saying

vnto vs, Awake, thou that sleepest: and Open vnto me, my sister, my loue, my * 1.11 doue, my vndefiled, we would quickly fall into our old Lethargy of carnall security. In respect of which drowzinesse of nature, by reason of the re∣liques of sinne remaining in vs, we are vnfit to keepe the spirituall watch, vnlesse we continually rowze vp ourselues, and shake off this sloth of car∣nall security. And therefore as it is said of the Nightingale, that being to delight her selfe with her night songs, and fearing lest falling asleepe, shee should indanger her selfe to birds of prey, doth set her brest against a thorne, to keepe her waking; so we, being to sing the songs of Sion, and to spend our time continually in holy duties, must vse all good meanes to keepe vs waking, because wee are euery hand-while apt through our sluggishnesse, to take a nap, and thereby to indanger our soules to those rauenous and hellish fowles, who take their chiefe delight in the workes of darkenesse, and are ready to seaze vpon vs, if they find vs sleeping. Third∣ly, this watch is necessary, in regard of the wickednesse and deceitfulnesse * 1.12 of our owne hearts, which are ready continually to withdraw themselues from God, to start aside like a deceitfull bow, when wee aime at any good * 1.13 duty, and so make vs to misse the marke; and to breake from vs when wee set our selues to performe any religious exercises, distracting and pulling our minds from them, that they may wander about in worldly cogitations. And therefore seeing it is such a slippery Eele, we must take the surer hold of it, seeing it is such a false and flitting seruant, which hath often deceiued vs, accompanying vs into the Church, and euen vnto our Pewes, and then secretly slipping frō vs, that they may spend the time allotted to Gods ser∣uice, in ranging abroad about worldly vanities; there is no way but to set it before vs in Gods presence, and to keepe it continually vnder the straight watch of a vigilant eye, that it may not slip away at vnawares, as it hath done often in former times. And this the Lord requireth as necessary in this case; Take heed to your selues, that your heart be not deceiued, and ye turne * 1.14 aside; that is, lest you heart deceiue your heart, your corrupt and deceitfull heart, preuailing against your heart which is sanctified and regenerate; for neither can the world, nor the deuill draw vs away from God, till our sinfull flesh and corrupt nature betray vs into their hands. And of this also the Apostle giueth vs warning; Take heed (saith he) brethren, lest there bee * 1.15 in any of you an euill heart of vnbeliefe, in departing from the liuing God. Fourthly, this watch is necessary, because without it we are apt to relapse into our former condition of the sleepe of sinne. For wee are in this life like men not thorowly awaked, but betweene sleeping and waking, so as we may say with the Spouse, I sleepe, but my heart waketh: and if we be not * 1.16 continually vsing all good meanes to keepe vs waking, wee will but open our eyes and shut them againe, and (as it vvere) but turne vs to the other side, and so returne to our former sleepe. Wee are like men but nevvly re∣couered out of dangerous diseases, vvhich haue great need to looke vnto themselues, seeing vpon euery slight cause, the least taking of cold, or di∣stemper through ill diet, they are ready to relapse into their former sicke∣nesse. Wee are like vveakelings, that can but hardly goe, and yet must needs trauell in slippery places, or (as it vvere) aloft vpon a narrovv beame, vvhere vve often slip, and are sure to catch grieuous falls, vnlesse vvee care∣fully

watch ouer our selues, and looke diligently to our footing; and be∣ing falne, are sure to perish, vnlesse wee rise vp againe, and recouer our selues by vnfained repentance; according to that of our Sauiour; Re∣member from whence thou art falne, and repent, and doe thy first workes, or else * 1.17 I will come against thee quickly, &c. The which relapses and falls be most dangerous vnto our spiritual life, because they make our estate worse then it was before our conuersion, when as we were sicke in sinne and death, seeing we are but like men who in their departure are dawed (as they say) and wakened by the out-cries of the standers by, who reuiue not to liue, but to dye againe, and so to indure the paines of a continued sicknesse and double death; in which respect our Sauiour Christ saith, that the end of * 1.18 such is worse then their beginning. And the Apostle Peter affirmeth, that it * 1.19 had been better for them, not to haue knowne the way of righteousnesse, then af∣ter they haue knowne it, to turne out of it, like the dog to his vomit, or the washed sow to her wallowing in the mire. Lastly, in regard of our selues this watch is necessary, because without it we can haue no assurance that we are spiri∣tually inlightened and awakened out of the sleepe of death. For this is the difference which the Apostle maketh betweene the faithfull and the vnbeleeuer, that these still lye sleeping and snorting in the darke night of ignorance and errour, doing in the darke, the workes of darknesse, and wholly neglecting the Christian Watch; but the other being children of * 1.20 the light, and of the day, doe not sleepe as doe others, but watch and are sober; and being of the day, doe the workes of the day, putting on the brest-plate of faith and loue, and for an helmet, the hope of saluation. And as there are great and manifold causes respecting our selues, which make this watch necessa∣ry; so also in respect of the enemies of our saluation, who being power∣full and politicke, farre mightier then we, and yet many to one, doe labour by all meanes to worke our destruction. The which argument alone should keepe vs waking, (for when should we vvatch, if not in the time of our Christian warfare, when as we are beset on all sides with such dan∣gerous and malicious enemies?) especially if we consider that the chiefe commander of all these forces, Satan, that roring & rauening Lion, neuer * 1.21 slumbreth nor sleepeth, but goeth continually about, and watcheth all op∣portunities of working our destruction. And therfore if they be so watch∣full that they may worke our ruine, by casting vs into the deep sleepe and spirituall lethargie of sin & death, how vigilant and carefull should we be, by preuenting their malice, to escape this imminent & desperate danger?

§. Sect. 3 That this watch is most profitable, be∣cause it help∣eth vs much to the leading of a godly life.

The reasons which may induce vs to keepe this watch respecting our profit, are also diuers. First, because it helpeth vs much to the leading of a godly life, in which we thriue and profit, or decline and goe backward, as we either keepe and obserue, or intermit and neglect this Christian watch. For when we watch ouer our selues, God likewise watcheth ouer vs, and by the assistance of his holy Spirit, inableth vs to stand against all tentations, and to goe forward in our Christian course: but when through our slacknesse and negligence, we runne wilfully into tentations, hee lea∣ueth vs to be foyled of them, that we may learne the next time to take bet∣ter heed. More especially, the Lord will inlighten the eyes of our minds, that we may discerne the right way in which we should walke; according

to that of the Apostle, Awake, thou that sleepest, and stand vp from the dead, * 1.22 and Christ shall giue thee light. And seeing the way, we shall haue our faith so strengthened, and our courage and resolution so confirmed and increa∣sed, that we shall manfully proceed in it, notwithstanding all opposition; whereof it is that the Apostle conioyneth and linketh all these together as inseparable companions; Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quite your selues * 1.23 like men, be strong. For as those who for want of heed and circumspection fall into secret ambushments at vnawares, are soone discomfited, and by running away, leaue to their enemies an easie victory; whereas those who by their watchfulnesse discouer them, are no whit daunted in their cou∣rage, because they can easily auoyd them; or defeating the stratagem of their enemies, can circumuent and catch them in their owne snare: so is it also in the Christian warfare; wherein the discouery of our enemies po∣licies, by our carefull watch, is a principall meanes of preuenting them, the finding out of their secret ambushments, more then halfe the way vn∣to assured victory, and the very sight of their nets lying neere their stales, and of their deadly hookes of sinne lying hid vnder the baits of worldly profits and pleasures, are sufficient warnings to make vs shunne and escape them, if we haue any care of the saluation of our soules. So that there is no readier and surer way to auoyd all manner of sinne, the bane and poy∣son of our soules, then by our watch to espie the danger when it is offered vnto vs in these golden cups; no meanes more forcible to make vs flie the hellish imbracements of this painted strumpet, then by our diligent watch and circumspection, to pull off the deceiuing vizard of momenta∣ny gaine and delight, and to behold her in her naturall deformity and vg∣ly filthinesse. Whereas contrariwise, the neglect of keeping this carefull watch, is the ready way to all wickednesse; the mind being let loose to vaine and sinfull thoughts, the heart to sinfull concupiscence and vnlaw∣full lusts, the tongue to light, wanton and wicked words, the hands to act the workes of darkenesse, and the whole man exposed to the dangerous assaults and tentations of our spirituall enemies, wherewith being van∣quished, we are easily led captiue into all sinne. Of which we haue lamen∣table experience in Noah, Lot, Dauid, Peter, and many others, who whilest they carefully kept the spirituall watch, triumphed ouer the enemies of their saluation, and went on couragiously in the wayes of godlinesse; but when they did but for a little while intermit and neglect it, receiued dan∣gerous and shamefull foyles. But most euidently doth this appeare in the example of our first parents, who so long as they obserued this watch, con∣tinued constant in their integrity; but remitting their care and circum∣spection, and letting loose their eares to heare the voyce of the Tempter, their hearts to admit, through fond credulity, his false suggestions, their eyes to gaze on the forbidden fruit, their hands to touch, and their mouthes to taste it, they were soone ouercome, and caught both them∣selues and for all their posterity, a fearfull fall. And therefore if they fell in the state of innocency by intermitting this watch, who can neglect it in the state of corruption and imperfection, and yet hope to stand? Finally, it conduceth and furthereth vs much vnto a godly life, as it maketh vs fit and ready for the well-performing of all Christian duties. For when all

our parts are hereby kept in a good and constant order, they are alwayes prepared for all good imployments; and if wee take care that our Instru∣ments be well stringed and kept in tune, no more remaineth but to touch them with a skilfull hand, and there will be a melodious harmony between the heart, tongue, and outward actions. And therefore Dauid demanding how a young man might order his steps, and cleanse his wayes, that they might be pure and vpright in the sight of God? doth thus resolue the question, that it is to be done by taking heed thereto according to Gods * 1.24 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 * 1.25 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 * 1.26 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, * 1.27 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. * 1.28 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 * 1.29 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 * 1.30 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 * 1.31

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 * 1.32 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) * 1.33 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 * 1.34 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

  Deut. 4. 9. Luk. 12. 36.
• * 1.2

  Ios. 22. 5. & 23. 11.
• * 1.3

  Mar. 13. 33, 37.
• * 1.4

  Apoc. 3. 2.
• * 1.5

  Luk. 12. 37.
• * 1.6

  Mat. 25. 1. to 14
• * 1.7

  Mat. 26. 41.
• * 1.8

  1. Cor. 10. 12.
• * 1.9

  Phil. 2. 13.
• * 1.10

  Pro 28. 14.
• * 1.11

  Eph. 5. 14. Cant. 5. 2.
• * 1.12

  Ier. 17. 10.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 78. 57.
• * 1.14

  Deut. 11. 16.
• * 1.15

  Heb. 3. 12.
• * 1.16

  Cant. 5. 2.
• * 1.17

  Apoc. 2. 5.
• * 1.18

  Math. 12. 45.
• * 1.19

  2. Pet. 2. 21, 22.
• * 1.20

  1. Thes. 5. 5, 6, 7.
• * 1.21

  1. Pet. 5. 8.
• * 1.22

  Ephes. 4. 14.
• * 1.23

  1. Cor. 16. 13.
• * 1.24

  Psal. 119. 9.
• * 1.25

  Tsal. 23. 4.
• * 1.26

  Psal. 4 8.
• * 1.27

  Rom. 8. 31.
• * 1.28

  2. Chron. 34. 28. and 35. 23, 24. 1. Pet. 1. 8.
• * 1.29

  Rom. 14. 17.
• * 1.30

  Heb. 12. 6.
• * 1.31

  Act. 14. 22.
• * 1.32

  Luk. 21. 28.
• * 1.33

  Luk. 12. 37, 38, 43. Math. 24. 46, 47.
• * 1.34

  Apoc. 16. 15.