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. XIII.

Of the meanes whereby we may be inabled to keepe the Christian watch.

§. Sect. 1 The 1. meanes is temperance and sobriety, and the se∣cond, the feare of God.

THe last thing to be considered in this spirituall watch, is the meanes whereby we may be inabled to keepe it; the which I will but briefly touch, because they are so fully handled in the fore-named Treatise. The first meanes are sobriety and temperance, the which as they much further vs in the naturall watch, so are they singular helpes to in∣able vs vnto the spirituall. Whereof it is that in the Scriptures they are ioyned and inioyned together, as mutuall causes one of another. Be sober * 1.1 and watch. We are not of the night, nor of darknesse; therefore let vs not sleepe * 1.2 as doe others, but let vs watch and be sober. And our Sauiour Christ perswa∣ding vs to this spirituall watch, and arming vs against the deepe security of the latter dayes, giueth vs in charge, as a notable meanes to cause the one, and preuent the other, that we take heed vnto our selues, lest at any time * 1.3 our hearts be ouercharged with surfetting and drunkennesse, and the cares of this life, and so that Day come vpon vs at vnawares. Which meanes of watchful∣nesse when Noah and Lot neglected, they soone fell into a dangerous sleep of sinne. Neither must this temperance and sobriety extend onely to meates and drinkes, seeing we may be drunke with the intoxicating cups of pleasures and carnall delights, and surfet vpon worldly prosperity and earthly things, when we doe too hungerly affect them in our desires, and set our hearts immoderately vpon them; but they must reach also (as I shewed before, when I spake of sobriety) to the right ordering of our minds in the vse of all temporary blessings, in a due manner and measure, so as they may be helpes and not hinderances vnto vs in all the duties of a godly life; which if we neglect, we may surfet and be spiritually drunke, * 1.4 though we be neuer so temperate in the vse of meats and drinkes. The se∣cond meanes to make vs watchfull is, to nourish in our hearts the true

feare of God, not a seruile feare, which will make euery slaue watchfull o∣uer his wayes, for feare of the whip; but a filiall and child-like feare, which will cause vs to keepe ouer our selues, in all things, a diligent watch, that we may doe nothing displeasing in his sight, who so loueth vs, and whom we so loue; and contrariwise, that wee may so carry our selues in the performing of all good duties, as that God may be well pleased in vs, and we in him; he delighting to doe vs good, and wee delighting to praise his goodnesse. Of which filiall feare the Psalmist speaketh; There is * 1.5 mercy with thee that thou maist be feared. And this is the feare which the Lord * 1.6 promiseth in the couenant of grace, that he will put it into the hearts of his children and seruants, that they may not depart from him. This is it which (as the Wise man telleth vs) causeth men to depart from euill; as wee see in * 1.7 the example of Iob, who is said to be a man, fearing God, and eschewing euill. And therefore Dauid desiring to restraine men from sinne, putteth (as it were) into their mouthes the bridle of Gods feare; Stand in awe (saith he) * 1.8 and sinne not. And contrariwise, if this feare be not in vs, and our hearts be taken vp with carnall security, wee presently neglect to keepe any watch, (like a City which feareth not the approch of any enemies) and rush, with∣out care, into all wickednesse. And this the old Serpent knew well, who hauing no hope to preuaile against our first Parents, so long as being a∣fraid * 1.9 of Gods threatening, they kept their watch; hee perswaded them first to cast out this feare by vnbeliefe, whereby becomming secure, they were easily drawne into transgression. This made Abraham thinke that the Egyptians were ready for all wickednesse, because the feare of God was not * 1.10 in the Land. And the Psalmist telleth vs, that the transgression of the wicked perswaded him to conclude, that there was no feare of God before their eyes. And finally, the Apostle hauing repeated a whole bead roll of many sinnes, which had defiled euery seuerall part of wicked men, maketh the same conclusion with the Psalmist, that because they were destitute of Gods feare, this was the cause which made way for all the rest. * 1.11

§. Sect. 2 The third meanes is the remembrance of Gods Iudgements.

The third meanes is, often to call vnto our remembrance Gods fearfull Iudgements executed vpon all sinners, but especially vpon such as haue * 1.12 continued in their wickednesse with carelesse security, and wholly neg∣lected to keepe this watch; as of the old world, who liued in all rechlesse security, eating and drinking, buying and selling, marrying, and giuing in marriage, so doing these things, as that they neglected all things else which were necessary for their safety and saluation, vntill Noah entring into the Arke, they were all swept away with an vniuersall deluge. Thus also Sodom and Gomorrah liuing in their sinnes with all security, were at∣tached with Gods fearfull Iudgements when they least thought of them, and were wholly destroyed with fire and brimstone. Thus Babylon excee∣ding * 1.13 in security, as much as in all other sinnes, had those punishments which she least feared, inflicted vpon her. Thus the Lord threatened the Church of Sardis, that if they would not watch, he would come as a thiefe a∣gainst * 1.14 them; that is, bring vpon them suddenly vnexpected iudgements, with which, when they neglected this warning, they were afterwards fearfully surprized. But of this poynt I haue spoken at large in another * 1.15 Treatise; onely let it suffice here to shew, that as neglect of Gods Iudge∣ments

maketh vs secure and carelesse; so the often calling of them to mind, is a notable meanes to make vs watchfull, that wee may not haue the like, or greater inflicted vpon vs. The which is the principall vse that our Sauiour intended in propounding the former examples of the old world, and of Sodom and Gomorrah, fearefully punished, because they se∣curely * 1.16 went on in their sinnes, that wee might not be ouertaken with the like, but that continually watching and praying, wee might bee thought worthy to escape them, when God commeth in his visitation to take no∣tice of our wayes. And thus also the Apostle hauing called to remem∣brance Gods heauie Iudgements inflicted vpon the Israelites, saith, that all these things were written for our learning, vpon whom the ends of the world * 1.17 are come, that by flying their sinnes, wee might escape their punishments, and thereupon inferreth this vse, that wee should not presume on our owne strength, but that he who thinketh hee standeth, should take heed of fal∣ling.

§. Sect. 3 Of the fourth meanes, which is, to remem∣ber the day of death.

The fourth meanes is, that wee continually remember the day of our death, not as though it were farre off, but neere approching, and euen knocking at our doores. For our liues are short and momentany, and this short time so vncertaine, that we haue no assurance that we shall liue ano∣ther day, no not so much as the next minute. When wee goe abroad, wee know not whether we shall returne home; nor when we are at home, whe∣ther wee shall liue to goe abroad; when wee goe to bed, wee cannot tell whether we shall euer rise; and when we rise, whether we shall againe goe to bed. For many haue been thus suddenly taken away, going well out of doores, and neuer returning; lying downe securely to take their rest, haue been found dead the next morning. Now seeing that which befalleth one, may happen to any, and that which hath been the case of many, may probably betide any one; let it be our wisedome to stand continually vp∣on our watch, that we may be found in readinesse, seeing it is a matter that concernes vs no lesse, then the euerlasting saluation or damnation of our soules. And seeing we are not sure of liuing another day, let vs thinke that euery day may be the last, and so take occasion to watch carefully ouer our wayes, that we may, when God pleaseth to call, be prepared to goe vnto him with cheerfulnesse and ioy: and when wee are inticed to commit any sinne; as to loue the world immoderately, to increase our riches by fraud and deceit, or violence and oppression, to sweare, lye, and profane the Lords Day, to drinke drunken, commit filthinesse, or any o∣ther sinne; let vs say vnto our owne soules, Would I commit this or that sinne, if I were sure that this day were my last? Farre would it be from me, if I were thus perswaded. And therefore let mee bee now as farre from gi∣uing way willingly vnto any of these, or the like sinnes, seeing, for ought I know, it may be the last minute. And thus when wee finde our selues slacke and backward vnto any duties of Gods seruice, let vs examine our owne hearts, whether we would not shake off all sluggishnesse, and goe about them with all care and diligence, if we were perswaded that wee should not liue another day; and then if wee be wise, we will bee as cir∣cumspect and carefull that wee neglect no good duty which may bring comfort to our hearts, peace to our consciences, and assurance of saluation

to our soules; seeing many as lusty as we, being well in the morning, haue beene dead before night.

§. Sect. 4 The last means is, to meditate often on the day of Iudge∣ment.

The last meanes, which I will heere touch, is, that we often meditate vpon that great and terrible Day of the Lord, when hee shall come with * 1.18 thousands of his holy Saints and Angels to iudge both the quicke and the dead; when as we must all appeare before the Iudgement seate of Christ, that euery man may receiue the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Of which Day, because we are vncertaine when it will be, we should alwayes keepe our spirituall watch, that we may, when∣soeuer Christ commeth, be found ready. And this vse our Sauiour him∣selfe maketh of his assured and yet vncertaine comming: Of that day and * 1.19 houre (saith he) knoweth no man, no not the Angels which are in heauen, nei∣ther the sonne, but the Father onely: Take yee heed therefore, watch and pray; for yee know not when the time is; lest comming suddenly, he finde you sleeping. So likewise the Apostle Peter; The end of all things is at hand, be yee there∣fore * 1.20 sober, and watch vnto prayer. And surely, if wee would but seriously consider with what rauishing ioy at that Day the hearts of all those shall be possessed, who, like wise and faithfull seruants, shall be found watching and waiting for the comming of their Lord, when as hee who hath pro∣nounced * 1.21 them blessed already, shall then enter them into the full fruition of blessednesse, and make them ioynt-owners of all that hee hath, the vn∣speakeable ioyes, inestimable riches, and triumphant glory of his King∣dome; and on the other side, with what shame and confusion of face, vexa∣tion of spirit, and horrour of conscience, they shall bee plagued and tor∣mented, who with the euill seruant haue securely gone on in their sinnes, and haue vtterly neglected the spirituall watch, hoping that the Masters comming was farre off; wee would be mooued heereby to shake off all carnall security, and thinke no care and diligence too great in keeping this watch, that wee may not bee taken vnprouided and vnprepared at the comming of our Lord. And these are the meanes, which if we care∣fully vse, will much helpe vs in keeping this watch. But let vs take heed that wee doe not rest wholly or chiefly vpon our owne watchfulnesse; see∣ing when we haue done all we can, wee shall with the wise Virgins bee ouertaken sometimes with drowzinesse, and intermit our watch; but see∣ing if the Lord, the great Watchman of Israel, who neuer slumbreth nor sleepeth, doe not watch ouer the house of our earthly Tabernacle and City * 1.22 of our soules, all our watching is but in vaine, let vs often and instantly pray vnto him, that hee will continually watch ouer vs, and inable vs with his * 1.23 grace and holy Spirit, to watch ouer our selues and waite vpon him; know∣ing assuredly, that if hee giue ouer his watch, and leaue vs to our owne, we shall soone be ouertaken of carnall security, and fall into the dangerous Lethargy of sinne and death.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Pet. 5. 7, 8.
• * 1.2

  1. Thes. 5. 5, 6.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 21. 34.
• * 1.4

  Esa. 29. 9. and 51. 21.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 130. 4.
• * 1.6

  Ier. 32. 42.
• * 1.7

  Prou. 14 16. and 16. 6.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 4. 4.
• * 1.9

  Gen. 3. 4.
• * 1.10

  Gen. 20. 11. Psal. 36. 1.
• * 1.11

  Rom. 3. 18, 19, 20.
• * 1.12

  Mat. 24 38.
• * 1.13

  Esa. 47. 8, 9.
• * 1.14

  Apoc. 3. 3.
• * 1.15

  Treatise of carnall securi∣ty and hard∣nesse of heart.
• * 1.16

  Mat. 24 3••, 42. Luk. 〈…〉〈…〉 35, 3••.
• * 1.17

  1. Cor. 10. 5. to 12.
• * 1.18

  2. Cor. 5. 10.
• * 1.19

  Mar. 13. 32, 33.
• * 1.20

  1. Pet 4. 7.
• * 1.21

  Mat. 24. 45, 46.
• * 1.22

  Psal. 121. 2. Ps. 127. 1, 2, 3, 4.
• * 1.23

  Psal. 141. 3.