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. 5 Of the dispo∣sition and ge∣sture of the body.

The last circumstance to be obserued is, the disposition and gesture of the body, which doe not a little further the deuotion of the soule. In which there is required, first, that the body be composed to rest and quiet, that it doe not by much agitation and violent motion disturbe and di∣stract the mind, nor by spending the spirits, and wearying of the outward parts, make the exercise tedious and toylesome. Secondly, here is required silence, that the mind may more freely discourse with it selfe, without any interruption of outward noyse; vnlesse it be in case that the heart be sur∣charged with the heat and vehemency of our passions, and feruour of de∣uotion, and doe need some vent to giue it ease. As for the gesture of the body, no certaine rules can be giuen; but it must be left to be ordered and disposed by Christian prudence and experience. Onely in generall wee may obserue these things: First, that our gesture and carriage of our bo∣dies be reuerent, in respect of that glorious presence before which we pre∣sent our soules and bodies, and the waightinesse of the duty about which we are imployed, seeing this may somewhat further the inward reuerence

of the heart. Secondly, that wee vse that gesture which in our experience we find most auaileable to stirre vp our deuotion; for these outward ge∣stures of the body, are but the hand-maids of the mind and heart; which must giue their attendance, that they may bee ready to yeeld vnto them that seasonable seruice, which they shall appoint as most fit and profitable. To which purpose, diuers gestures are diuersly commended. Some in their Meditations preferre quiet resting of their bodies vpon their bed or pallet, whereby they find their minds and soules best fitted for spirituall motion and discourse, and most free from the distraction of all outward obiects. Some sitting and inclining their bodies to one side, their table or cheare supporting their elbow, and their hand their head. Some standing still, with their eyes lifted vp towards heauen, the Hauen of their hopes, and visible place of Gods inuisible presence, but yet closed to auoid distracti∣ons. Some walking, which being a healthfull exercise, refresheth the body, and maketh it a more fit instrument of the soule, to performe this duty without wearinesse. But which of these we vse, it is not much materiall, seeing in themselues one is not better then another, though in respect of vs, they may be more or lesse conuenient, in regard of the variety of seuerall mens dispositions. Thirdly and lastly, it is not vnprofitable to frame the gesture of the seuerall parts, according to the matter in hand, vpon which we meditate, and our inward affection in thinking of it. As when wee are humbled in the sight and sense of our sinnes, and are ashamed and grieued, because we haue by them dishonoured and displeased our gracious God and louing Father, we may with the Publicane cast downe our eyes vpon the earth, as not worthy to looke vp vnto heauen; and smite our brest, as la∣menting the corruptions that are therein contained. When we offer vnto God the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiuing, humble hearts, and holy de∣sires, and beg in the name of Christ with confidence, the benefits which he hath commanded vs to aske, and hath promised to giue, we may lift vp to∣gether with our hearts, our eyes and hands towards heauen, from whence we expect to receiue the things we aske, with the hand of faith. When our hearts are rauished with the apprehension of Gods gracious promises, and the sweet and delightfull feelings of his loue, and assured hopes of those inestimable ioyes which he reserueth for vs in heauen, we may hold vp our heads with comfort and reioycing, as our Sauiour speaketh, eleuate our hearts towards that place, whither our bodies and soules shall one day tri∣umphantly ascend, and with Abraham, testifie vnto our owne soules, and God, the Author of them, these rauishing comforts, with secret smiles, and outward cheerefulnesse of our face and countenance; seeing these inward feelings of Gods loue, are better then wine, to glad the heart, and this vncti∣on of the Spirit with these diuine consolations, do make the countenance more cheerefull then the choysest oyle.

Notes

• Luk. 21. 28.
• Gen. 17. 17.
• Cant. 1. 1.
• Psal. 104. 15.