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.

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Title
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.
Author
Downame, John, d. 1652.
Publication
Printed at London :: By Felix Kingstone [and William Stansby] for Ed: Weuer & W: Bladen at the north dore of Pauls,
[1622]
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Subject terms
Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A20762.0001.001
Cite this Item
"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A20762.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 14, 2024.

Pages

§. Sect. 3 That all the parts of prayer are singular helpes to a godly life.

Finally, all the parts of Prayer seuerally serue as speciall meanes to fur∣ther vs in the duties of a godly life. For first, the confession of our sinnes will withhold vs from the committing of them, whilest aggrauating, be∣wayling, and adiudging our selues for them to those fearefull punish∣ments which they haue iustly deserued, our hearts are wrought vnto a true hatred of them, when as we see and acknowledge the miserable fruits which spring from this cursed roote. Secondly, because wee cannot for shame commit those sinnes willingly, which we haue humbly confessed, and God hath graciously pardoned. For what malefactour is so impudent, as to commit those crimes againe, which his Prince of meere loue hath lately remitted, and whilest he hath (as it were) his pardon in his hand, especially when he knovveth that he must the next day againe be arrained for them, and stand at the barre at his Soueraignes mercy? Thirdly, be∣cause by often confession vve search out our hidden sinnes, and ransacke

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our hearts and consciences, so as they cannot lye lurking in them, but are apprehended, condemned, and dravvne out to execution. Lastly, because vpon our confession, receiuing at Gods hands assurance of pardon, * 1.1 according to his gracious promises; wee cannot but intirely loue him, who hath forgiuen vs so great a debt, whereby wee shall bee made loth to doe any thing which may displease him, and ready to performe all good duties which may bee acceptable in his sight. By petition also wee haue no lesse helpe, seeing thereby wee come to a more thorow sight of our wants, which worketh in vs an hungring and thirsting de∣sire, that they may bee supplied, and of our imperfections in our best duties, that wee may striue and labour after more perfection, carefully and conscionably vsing all good meanes whereby our desires may bee sa∣tisfied, seeing if wee should neglect them, after wee haue made these earnest suites, we should both tempt the Lord, and discouer our owne grosse hypocrisie, in asking those things which wee care not to obtaine. Againe, by these suites and requests made vnto God, according to his * 1.2 will, wee receiue the gift of his holy Spirit, which inableth vs to all good duties, by regenerating and sanctifying vs, seeing God hath promised to giue him vnto those that aske him; and together with him wee obtaine all Gods sanctifying gifts and graces, which by the same meanes are dai∣ly confirmed and increased in vs, and haue such a quickning power, ver∣tue, and vigour added vnto them, that they inable vs to the constant per∣formance of all Christian duties; which otherwise lying dull and dead in vs, wee should become like a body without spirits, lumpish and lazie in Gods seruice. Finally, by these suites and requests our loue is infla∣med, vpon our assurance that they are heard and granted; which stirreth vs vp to yeeld vnto God cheerefull obedience, our faith is confirmed, and our affiance and hope strengthened, in assured confidence and expecta∣tion of Gods helpe and assistance, which will vphold vs when we are ready to faint, inable vs to ouercome all difficulties, and to performe all the du∣ties of a godly life with much comfort and delight. Lastly, thanksgiuing is a singular helpe to the same end, whilest we recount and call to minde Gods manifold blessings and rich mercies, which of meere grace, without any desert of ours, he hath from time to time multiplied vpon vs. All which (if we be not too too vngratefull) will bee so many strong bands of loue, to tye vs vnto obedience, and to make vs cheerefull in all Christian du∣ties, seeing by them we serue so bountifull a Master, which if we neglect to doe, we shall play the notable hypocrites, in professing that thankful∣nesse with our lips, which we neither haue in our hearts, nor take any care to expresse in our liues.

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