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. XLIII.

Of other singular priuiledges, wherewith God crowneth a godly life.

§. Sect. 1 Their con∣ceits confu∣ted, who ima∣gine that God wholy reser∣ueth the re∣wards of those that serue him, for the life to come.

HAuing seene the benefits which accompany a godly life, let vs now also consider of the priuiledges wherewith God crowneth those that leade it. Although in truth there is little difference betweene these two, seeing those benefits are priuiledges, as being peculiar prero∣gatiues belonging onely to the godly; and these priuiledges singular benefits, which are promised and giuen them as rewards of their godlinesse. But because I would not glut the Readers appetite with satiety, by setting before him all at once, a multitude of dishes cooked after the same fashion, I thought it not amisse to reserue these that fol∣low (as it were) for an after-course or second seruice, dressed in some∣what a different manner; for as I considered the former benefits as the fruits of a godly life; so I will consider these, as priuiledges com∣ming directly from God, wherewith he endoweth and inuesteth the persons of the godly, who desire and indeuour to serue and please him. Although here againe I must confesse, that those fruits of god∣linesse are the free gifts of Gods grace, and these priuiledges where∣with

God peculiarly aduanceth the godly, may insome sort bee called the fruits of their godlinesse. But that wee may come to our present purpose. It is the conceit of wicked worldlings, that God wholy deferreth to reward those that leaue their sinnes, and deuote themselues vnto his seruice, till the Day of Iudgement; and the punish∣ments of those who neglect him, and serue their owne lusts, to the same time, if at least they beleeue at all, that there will bee such a Day, or such a retribution of rewards and punishments: And that in the meane while all things happen alike to all, to the righteous and to * 1.1 the wicked, to the good and cleane, and to the euill and vncleane, &c. Now because (according to the Iewes prouerbe) the dayes are prolonged, * 1.2 therefore they conclude, that all prophecies shall faile, being ready with those scorners to aske; Where is the promise of his comming? And * 1.3 because sentence against their euill workes is not executed speedily, therefore their hearts are fully set in them to doe euill; and because good workes, and the sincere seruice of God is not (as they thinke) in this life rewarded, they measuring all things by sense and outward ap∣pearance, conclude that there is no profit in it. And that therefore they will not buy vncertaine hopes at so high a price, as to forgoe for them the pleasures of sin, which are so sweet to their carnall taste, and * 1.4 to weary themselues in Gods seruice, which is so distastefull to their corrupt appetite.

§. Sect. 2 That God or∣dinarily giueth greatest plenty of worldly bles∣sings to world∣ly men.

And surely it cannot be denyed, but that God, in the greatest part, reserueth in his owne keeping the rewards which he hath promised to * 1.5 his owne seruants, and maketh them to liue more by faith then sense. That ordinarily he giueth outward and temporall things in greatest plenty, to such beasts as he fatteth for the slaughter, and letteth his own sheepe feede vpon bare Commons; that hee filleth the bellies of wicked men with his hid treasures, and causeth their eyes to stand out with fatnesse; because (according to their owne desires) hee giueth vnto them their portion in this life, and all the good things which they are euer to inioy; and keepeth his owne children to a shorter allowance and more spare dyet, trayning them vp in his Schoole, with more seuere discipline, that learning his will and waies, they may bee made fit for their heauenly Inheritance. It is true, that Gods seruants also are most commonly subiect to crosses and afflictions more then other men; and alwaies debarred of many pleasures of sinne, which are sweete and delightfull to the carnall appetite, of which bewitching cups the wicked of the world doe drinke their fill. So that if they should bee sequestred from their hopes, and iudged onely according to outward appearance, they, aboue all others, would seeme most miserable. But what more then brutish blockish∣nesse were this, if we should by all this be encouraged in sinne, or * 1.6 discouraged in Gods seruice? For can wee imagine that the iust Iudge of heauen and earth should deale vniustly? or that Wisedome it selfe * 1.7 should bee so vnwise in the dispensation of rewards and punish∣ments? Is God thus bountifull to strangers and enemies, that hee causeth them to abound with earthly blessings; and reserueth hee

nothing better in store for his owne children that serue and please him? Doth hee correct their slips and falls with such smarting rods of temporary afflictions? and hath he not three-stringed whips, Strappadoes and Rackes, for such as trayterously rebell against him, and wilfully dishonour him by their outragious wickednesse? Shall wee, who haue not so much as the least sparke of that iu∣stice and truth, bounty and goodnesse, which is in him as an in∣finite flame, performe our promises which wee haue made to our seruants? and shall not God keepe his couenant with his? Shall we preferre those of our owne family before strangers, and extend our bounty to those that serue and please vs by doing our will, much more then to others who neglect vs, yea rather disgrace and wrong vs by their ill carriage? and shall the Lord, whom wee see so boun∣tifull to his enemies, bee niggardly to his friends? and not re∣serue his richest rewards for those which haue indeuoured to doe him best seruice, seeing heauen and earth are at his dispo∣sing? Let vs not then so much looke vpon our seuere edu∣cation, as vpon the inheritance vnto which wee are thus tray∣ned. Not vpon the sorrowfull seede-time, but vpon our ioy∣full haruest. Not vpon our sharpe conflict, wounds and skarres, but vpon our Victory, Triumph and Crowne: And so shall wee bee easily able to make Moyses his choyse, and rather desire to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to inioy the pleasures of sinne, * 1.8 which last but for a season.

§. Sect. 3 That euen in this life God endoweth the Godly with many singu∣lar and peculi∣ar priuiledges, and first, that hee loueth them aboue all other his creatures.

Yet, that secure worldlings may not be proud of their present pre∣ferments, nor pleasing themselues with their portion, neglect to doe God better seruice, because they thinke hee hath no better wages then the temporary pay of worldly benefits; and that Gods faithfull Seruants may not be discouraged in holy and Christian duties, because all their estate standeth in hopes, and little in fruition; let vs consider in the next place, that euen in this life the faithfull haue many rich and royall priuiledges, as the present pay and earnest of their heauen∣ly happines, for their better incouragement in all Christian duties, of which, wicked worldlings that vtterly neglect them, are wholy desti∣tute. Whereof we are to take the better notice, because howsoeuer they generally belong to all Gods children, yet many take little com∣fort by them, either by reason of their ignorance, which causeth them not to know them; or their carelesnesse, which will not let them seriously consider of them; or their earthly-mindednesse, which maketh them, with Lots wife, more to looke backe vpon the plea∣sures of Sodom, then vpon those priuiledges which lye before them, as they are going on in the waies of godlinesse, and to cast their eyes so much vpon the false splendor and brightnesse of worldly vanities, that being dazled therwith, they are not able to discerne spirituall and hea∣uenly excellencies; or finally, because they are so negligent in the du∣ties of Gods seruice, and weaken their faith with so many slips and fals, wants & imperfections, that they are not able to make vse of their priui∣ledges, nor to apply them vnto themselues with any comfort & assurance.

And to speake nothing of that reward which vertue and holy duties bring with them, in their owne excellency, and in the conscience of well-doing; nor of the foulenesse of vice, which is punished in it selfe, and with those checkes of conscience, and terrours of minde accompanying sinfull acti∣ons, which make the heart sorrowfull and full of disquietnesse, when there is nothing but mirth and iollity in outward appearance (in which regard, notwithstanding piety in the seruice of God, is much to be preferred be∣fore the pleasing of our owne sinfull lusts, though there were no after∣reckoning, no heauen or hell, rewards or punishments) there are many speciall and rich priuiledges, wherewith God euen in this life crowneth that faithfull seruice which is done vnto him. The first, and fountaine of all the rest, is, that God loueth them aboue all other his creatures, with a speciall and singular loue, which mooueth him to multiply all his fauours vpon them, in all things which may further their temporary good and euerlasting happinesse. For he loueth those that feare and serue him, with an euerlasting loue, and hauing set his affection vpon them, he loueth them to * 1.9 the end; which hee hath notably manifested vnto them, in that this loue could not be broken off by their enmity against him, but when they were yet sinners and enemies, he sent his Sonne, his onely Sonne, the Sonne of his loue, to die for their sinnes, that they by him might attaine vnto euer∣lasting * 1.10 life and happinesse. In him hee hath adopted them for his sonnes and children, and loueth them as a tender father loueth his child, accep∣ting * 1.11 graciously of all their imperfect seruice, passing by all their infirmi∣ties, and pardoning all their sinnes. Yea, hee numbreth them among his chiefest Iewels, and indoweth them with such speciall testimonies of his loue, that it is easie to discerne betweene the righteous and the wicked, betweene him that feareth God, and him that serueth him not. But though the loue of a father bee great towards his child, yet it doth not sufficiently expresse Gods loue towards his, and therefore hee compareth it to the loue of a tender-hearted mother towards her sucking infant. And yet this com∣meth short (as it needs must: for how can that which is finite reach to that which is infinite?) and therefore hee saith, that though a woman may forget her sucking child, yet he will not forget them. And in this regard, to ex∣presse * 1.12 the greatnesse of his loue, he taketh a resemblance, from the highest degree of loue amongst men, which is of an husband towards his wife, * 1.13 yea of a Bridegroome to his Bride, vnto which, the loue of parents and friends, yea, of any other thing in the world, giueth place, seeing they are coupled in such neere vnion and communion, that they are no more two, but one flesh; so that the one, in louing the other, loueth himselfe, and cannot * 1.14 make much of his Spouse, but he cherisheth his owne flesh, (as it were) in another body. The which infinite loue of God towards those that serue him, giueth vnto them full assurance, as of his present fauours, so especi∣ally of heauenly happinesse. For if the Lord delight in vs, then hee will assu∣redly * 1.15 bring vs into this heauenly Canaan, which floweth with a large streame of farre greater blessings then milke and honey, euen with a flood of plea∣sures, which are at Gods right hand for euermore. If the Lord so dearely loue * 1.16 vs, then he will delight in our company, and where he is, there we shall be also. * 1.17 For where should the children bee, but in their fathers family? Where

should the Bride be, but with her Bridegroome, who take their chiefe plea∣sure in the mutuall fruition of one anothers loue? The which high and holy priuiledge, is a most effectuall reason to make vs diligent in all the duties of Gods seruice, which assureth vs that we are in this loue and liking with God, vpon which dependeth our eternall happinesse. For if men thinke it such an high prerogatiue to bee the fauourites of great Princes, that they think all paines and seruice too little, which may endeare them to their loue, because this alone intitleth them to all other benefits of honours, riches, and pleasures which a kingdome can yeeld vnto them; then with what cheerefulnesse should wee performe all holy duties of Gods seruice, which assure vs, that wee shall be, and are his speciall Fa∣uourites, who hath heauen and earth at his disposing, with all the rich treasures and ioyfull pleasures contained in them, in the assurance where∣of, our Sauiour telleth vs, that wee haue much more cause to reioyce, * 1.18 then in the gift of miracles, or that the foule spirits are subdued vnto vs?

§. Sect. 3 That God watcheth ouer the godly with his special pro∣uidence; and the benefits of this priuiledge.

The second priuiledge which God vouchsafeth vnto all those that leade a godly life, is, that louing them with this fatherly loue, he watcheth ouer them with his prouidence, to conferre vpon them all manner of good. For howsoeuer all things in heauen and earth are subiect to this all-seeing and all-ruling prouidence, yet after a more speciall manner he watcheth ouer those that feare him, as his owne peculiar people; and though his power and presence extend to all the world, like the power of a King vn∣to his whole Dominions, yet he is heereby chiefly beneficiall to those that feare and serue him, as being of his owne family, yea his adopted children in Iesus Christ. Thus the Psalmist saith, that the eyes of the Lord are vpon the * 1.19 righteous, and his eares are open vnto their cry. And againe, The eyes of the Lord are vpon them that feare him; And as Elihu speaketh, He withdraweth * 1.20 not his eyes from them. So Dauid in another place; The Lord knoweth the * 1.21 dayes of the vpright, and their inheritance shall be for euer. Yea, but the eyes of the Lord are vpon all things, and there is nothing so secret, that is vn∣knowne vnto him; and what priuiledge then haue those herein that serue him, aboue those that serue him not? It consists not in the generall view, and notice which God taketh of one thing as well as of another; but in that he hath a more watchfull and benigne eye ouer those that feare him, to preserue them from all euill, and to bestow vpon them all that is good; by reason whereof they are so farre from miscarrying by any chance and casualtie, any malice or fury of their enemies, that not so much as an haire * 1.22 can fall from their head without the will of their heauenly Father. In which re∣spect, the Lord compareth himselfe to an Eagle, which safely carrieth her * 1.23 yong, and defendeth them from all other rauenous birds, when they are vnable to shift for themselues. And to a carefull Shepherd, who not onely * 1.24 keepeth his Sheepe from the Wolfe, but also feeds them in greene Pa∣stures, * 1.25 driueth them to the still waters, cureth the sicke, and carrieth in his armes the lame and weake, as Dauid also sheweth by his owne experience. And thus our Sauiour called himselfe the good Shepherd, who watched * 1.26 ouer his Sheepe with such loue and care, that he was ready to lay downe his life for them, rather then they should perish by any danger. Now the benefits which we haue by this priuiledge, are many and inestimable. For

by this speciall prouidence, God, like a faithfull Shepherd, leadeth vs out and in, and directeth vs in all our courses, guideth vs in the wayes of his * 1.27 Commandements, and keepeth vs from wandring in the by-paths of er∣rour, and from losing our selues in the desarts of sinne. And thus the Psal∣mist saith, that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delight∣eth * 1.28 in his way; whereby hee is kept from falling into many sinnes, vnto which hee is prone through naturall corruption, and wherewith others, that are not thus guided and gouerned, are often and easily ouertaken; and also into many dangers and euils, to which their fraile liues are sub∣iect, whereinto others not thus directed, doe rush and perish in them. Se∣condly, by this speciall prouidence, those that serue the Lord, are preser∣ued from all euils, and protected against all enemies; and that not after a slight and ordinary manner, but with such vigilant care and tendernesse, as a man watcheth ouer the apple of his eye, as the Lord professeth, and * 1.29 Dauid also found by his owne experience. The which, though it bee all∣sufficient to preserue vs from all danger of euill, yet for our greater com∣fort, and the better confirming of communion and loue betweene his holy Spirits and vs, hee causeth his Angels to incampe round about those that * 1.30 feare him, and deliuereth them; yea, hee committeth them vnto them, as their speciall charge, to keepe them in all their wayes, and to beare them in their hands, that they dash not their foot against a stone. Of which, we haue many examples; as of the three children thus preserued in the fiery furnace; and * 1.31 Daniel in the Lyons den; and in that mighty Army of holy Spirits, sent for the comfort and incouragement of Elizeus seruant. Thirdly, by this * 1.32 speciall prouidence, God both vpholdeth his children that serue him, when they are ready to fall into sinne and danger, and raiseth them vp be∣ing falne; preserueth them from troubles and afflictions, and deliuereth them out of them when they call vpon him. For he couereth them with his * 1.33 feathers, and vnder his wings they shall be safe, his truth shall be their shield and buckler, &c. The eyes of the Lord are vpon those that feare him, to deliuer their * 1.34 soule from death, and to keepe them aliue in famine. In which regard, the Lord incourageth his seruants against all dangers; Feare thou not, for I am * 1.35 with thee: be not dismaid: for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea, I will helpe thee, yea, I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse, &c. Or if for their chastisement they be afflicted and foyled with any euill, ei∣ther of sinne or punishment, yet they shall not be forsaken, and suffered to lye and perish in it, and as the Psalmist speaketh, Though they fall, they * 1.36 shall not vtterly be cast downe, for the Lord vpholdeth them with his hand. Yea, though many be the troubles of the righteous, yet the Lord deliuereth them out of all; and though he beateth them with his rods, yet he keepeth all their bones, * 1.37 so that not one of them is broken. For the Lord vpholdeth them in their integri∣ty, * 1.38 and setteth them alwayes before his face, as Dauid speaketh out of his owne experience. Finally, as God by this speciall prouidence preserueth those that serue him, from all euill; so also he prouideth for them all that is good, supplying all their wants, and relieuing them in all their necessi∣ties. For if we trust in the Lord, and doe good, we shall dwell in the Land, and * 1.39 verily we shall be fed; if we delight our selues in the Lord, hee will giue vs the desires of our hearts. Which argument Dauid vseth, to moue all vnto Gods

feare: O feare the Lord (saith he) ye his Saints, for there is no want to them that * 1.40 feare him. The young Lions lacke and suffer hunger, but they that feare the Lord, shall not want any good thing. Now what greater priuiledge, then to be thus at Gods finding? to haue him our guide to direct vs, our King to gouerne and defend vs; our louing Father, and carefull Shepheard, to feed vs, and supply all our wants; to preserue vs from dangers, and deliuer vs out of all our troubles; to heale our wounds, and cure our diseases: seeing he beholdeth all our wants, and is all-sufficient to supply them? What stronger motiue then this, to moue vs wholly to deuote our selues vnto his seruice, in whom we liue, and mooue, and haue our being, seeing our * 1.41 fraile liues are lyable to so many euils, both of sinne and punishment, ob∣noxious to so many dangers, and stand in need of so many helpes and comforts, that if the Lord should but for the least moment withdraw his hand, and cast vs from vnder the protection of his wise and powerfull pro∣uidence, we should vtterly perish and come to nothing?

§. Sect. 4 That he gui∣deth and go∣uerneth the godly with his grace and holy Spirit: 1. In their prosperity.

The third priuiledge which the Lord vouchsafeth vnto the godly, is, that he so guideth and gouerneth them by his grace and holy Spirit, that they make a right vse of all estates, both of prosperity and aduersity, and turne all things which happen vnto them by the Diuine prouidence, to their spirituall good, the inriching of their soules with all sauing graces, and the furthering and assuring of their eternall saluation. For whereas wicked men, inioying worldly prosperity, doe stand in slippery places, their table becomming a snare vnto them, and their honours, riches and pleasures, the baits of sinne, which make them to fall into the diuels nets of perdition (for their honours nourish and increase their ambition, their riches serue as sweet drinkes, to make them thirst the more, and increase their swelling dropsie of couetous desires, their pleasures make them more sensuall and voluptuous, and all together worke in them pride, and forgetfulnesse of God, carnall selfe-loue, and loue of the world, affi∣ance in earthly vanities, and contempt of spirituall and heauenly things) The Lord preserueth those that feare and serue him, from falling into these tentations, by moderating their desires, and mortifying their car∣nall concupiscence, so as they doe not excessiuely affect these worldly va∣nities, nor dote vpon them when they haue them, but vse them onely as helpes and comforts of their pilgrimage, and not set their hearts vpon them as their Paradise, and the rewards of their Countrey, because they know them to be vaine and vncertaine, both in their getting and keeping; momentany and mutable, being euery day ready to leaue vs, or we them. Their honours doe not puffe them vp in pride, but make them the more humble, seeing they possesse them not as their owne proprieties, but as Gods Talent, whereof one day they must giue a reckoning; as wee see in the example of Dauid, who though he were aduanced from a lowe estate to a Kingdome, yet professeth, that his heart was not haughty, nor his eyes * 1.42 lofty, but that he behaued himselfe in all meeknesse and mildnesse, as a child weaned of his mother. Their riches doe not withdraw their hearts from God, though they abound in them, neither doe they trust in them, because they know them to be vncertaine, but in the euerliuing God, who giueth them * 1.43 richly all things to inioy; as we see in the example of Iob, who though hee * 1.44

were the wealthiest man in all the East, yet he did not make gold his hope, * 1.45 nor said vnto the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; nor reioyced, because his wealth was great, nor because his hand had gotten much. But onely they vse them as the great instruments of well doing, and as meanes to inable them to exercise themselues in the workes of mercy, according to Iobs ex∣ample, who being rich and able to doe good, did not withhold from the * 1.46 poore their desire, nor caused the eyes of the widow to faile, nor did eate his mor∣sels alone, but did let the fatherlesse eate thereof, nor would see any perish for want of clothing, nor the poore to lye without a couering. Their pleasures, though as great as they inioy, who haue eminent places in Kings Courts, doe not, like intoxicating cups, bewitch them, and make them so drunke, that they forget the ioyes of heauen, vnto which they aspire, but euen when they haue drunke the deepest draught of them, they can (with Salomon) say of them, that all is vanity and vexation of spirit, and that there is no pro∣fit * 1.47 vnder the Sunne. And when they are put to their choyce, so as they must of necessity leaue the one, to imbrace the other, they will, with Moses, haue such respect to the recompence of their heauenly reward, that they will chuse ra∣ther * 1.48 to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to inioy the pleasures of sinne for a season. Finally, though with the Patriarches they abound with Gods blessings, yet they will not fixe their hearts vpon them, because here they * 1.49 haue no continuing City, but they seeke one to come, which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God; and therefore like the Workman, is perma∣nent and euerlasting. Now what a priuiledge is this, to be vpheld in such slippery places, in which, all that are left to themselues, doe fearfully fall? to haue antidotes against these dangerous drinkes, wherewith all that want them, are poysoned? to bee made more humble, mindfull of God, and thankfull vnto him by these worldly things, which make the most proud, forgetfull and vngratefull? Finally, to haue such a right vse of all these earthly and temporary blessings, that they become vnto vs pledges of Gods loue, and earnest pennies of eternall happinesse, and so to inioy both earth and heauen, all the comforts of this life, as helpes and fur∣therances to assure vs of the glory and ioyes of the life to come? Of which, seeing none but the godly are partakers, what a strong motiue should it be to perswade vs vnto the seruice of God in an holy life?

§. Sect. 5 Secondly, he guideth the godly in the time of their afflictions.

In respect also of the afflictions of this present life, godlines hath no lesse priuiledges. For first, they which carefully serue & please God, are wholly * 1.50 deliuered from thē, as they are punishments of sin to satisfie Gods Iustice, because Christ hath in their stead satisfied for them, & paid their debt to the vttermost farthing, and by taking away their sinnes through his death and sufferings, hath also cancelled the hand-writing which was against them, freed them from the curse of the Law, and all the punishments which were due vnto them. Secondly, by leading of a godly life, we are freed from afflictions in the greatest part, as they are the corrections of Gods children. For howsoeuer sometimes the chiefe end, at which God aimeth in afflicting the godly, is the triall of those graces which hee hath giuen them, that being approoued, he may be glorified that gaue them, and * 1.51 his gifts crowned in those that haue receiued them; yet for the most part, sinne being the occasion, euen of these trials, and the cause of other

crosses, according to that in the Lamentations; Wherefore doth a liuing * 1.52 man complaine, a man suffereth for his sinnes? Hereof it followeth, that wee may escape these afflictions, if we carefully flee sinne, and serue the Lord in the duties of a godly life. For though the Lord iudgeth his children * 1.53 in this life, that they may not be condemned in the life to come; yet it is not as they are innocents (for thē they should neuer come into iudgment) but as offenders, who by their sinnes and negligence in his seruice, haue deserued these, and farre greater punishments. Though he chastizeth eue∣ry * 1.54 sonne whom he receiueth, yet not being faultlesse, but when by their sins they haue displeased him, that he may bring them to repentance and a∣mendment. And therefore he prescribeth this repentance as a meanes to preuent his corrections, seeing, by reason of naturall frailty and corrup∣tion, we cannot be wholly innocent: As many as I loue, I rebuke and cha∣stize; * 1.55 be zealous therefore and amend. Though he make afflictions to serue for soueraigne salues to his Children, yet he would not apply them to the whole skinne, and sound flesh, but because they haue sores which need to be cured, being so festered, that the balme of his benefits will not heale them. Finally, when by afflictions he weaneth them from the loue of the world, it presupposeth that they dote too much vpon it, and argueth, that if, as they ought, they did lothe and contemne it, in comparison of spiri∣tuall graces, and heauenly glory, they should not haue it imbittered vnto them: For what mother would rub her teat with mustard, or worme∣wood, to weane her child, if he had wit and will to leaue it in due time? So that if we would carefully flee sinne, and please our heauenly Father, by doing our duty, we should not need to feare stripes, but should be con∣tinually cherished and incouraged with rewards. If we would not surfet of sinne and wound our consciences, we should not be troubled with the bitter medicine, and sharpe and searching salue. But we might, with com∣fort and assurance, apply Gods promises of preseruation, both from out∣ward and inward afflictions, euen when they are most rife in the world, and seaze vpon others round about vs, according to that of Eliphaz to Iob, He shall deliuer thee in sixe troubles, yea in seuen there shall no euill touch * 1.56 thee. And that of the Psalmist, Many sorrowes shall be to the wicked, but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compasse him about. Thirdly, if by our sinnes we haue brought afflictions vpon vs, yet walking before God in our ordinary course, after an holy manner, we shall haue heereby this priui∣ledge, that those afflictions which are pernicious vnto others, both in re∣spect of their soules and bodies, shall not be able to doe them any harme. Or though, like the Serpent, they bite them by the heele, and cause some temporary smart, yet being armed with the brest-plate of righteousnesse, they shall not hurt their vitall parts, nor any whit hinder them of euerlast∣ing happinesse. Yea contrariwise, through the good blessing of God, and assistance of his holy Spirit, sanctifying them to their vse, they, with all o∣ther things, shall worke together for their good, by drawing them neerer vn∣to * 1.57 God, through vnfained repentance, by mortifying their sinnes, wea∣ning them from the world, strengthening them in all grace, and by being vnto them infallible signes of Gods loue, and their adoption. In all which, and innumerable other respects, they may conclude (not from the sense

and smart of their afflictions, which, as the Apostle speaketh, seeme not * 1.58 ioyous, but grieuous) but from the fruits of righteousnesse, which spring from them; that it is good for them that they haue been afflicted, that they might * 1.59 learne Gods Statutes; and that it is good for a man that he beare the yoke from his youth: yea, that they are blessed whom the Lord chasteneth, and teacheth * 1.60 them out of his Law. Finally, by leading of a godly life, wee haue this pri∣uiledge in respect of our afflictions, that we shall haue seasonable deliue∣rance out of them, when as it shall be most fitting, both for Gods glory, and our owne spirituall and euerlasting good. For as the Wise man saith, The righteousnesse of the vpright shall deliuer him, but transgressors shall * 1.61 be taken in their naughtinesse. So the Psalmist saith, that many are the trou∣bles * 1.62 of the righteous, but the Lord deliuereth them out of all. For, When the righteous cry, the Lord heareth, and deliuereth them out of all their troubles: according to his gracious promise, Call vpon me in the day of trouble, I will * 1.63 deliuer thee, and thou shalt glorifie me. And therefore this also should effec∣tually mooue vs vnto the duties of a godly life, feeing heereby all estates are sanctifyed vnto vs, and euen afflictions themselues are turned to our good, which in their owne nature are the punishments of sinne. For see∣ing through our intemperate lusts, we oftentimes surfet of the pleasures of sinne, and thereby cast our selues in to many afflictions (as it were) dan∣gerous diseases, who would not esteeme much of such a cordiall, as will keepe the poyson of the disease from the vitall parts? yea, which will cause the sicknesse it selfe to become a meanes of increasing and confirming our spirituall health? But such a cordiall is true godlinesse, which conuer∣teth afflictions, which in their owne nature are the diseases of our soules, and states, caused by surfetting vpon sin, into notable helpes and meanes for the bettering of our spirituall estates, by making vs to flee sinne more carefully, whereupon we haue surfetted, and by confirming and increasing all Gods graces in vs.

§. Sect. 6 That God in∣wardly gui∣deth the god∣ly by his grace and holy Spirit.

The fourth priuiledge which the Lord bestoweth vpon the godly, is, that as he outwardly gouerneth, defendeth and preserueth them by his * 1.64 wise and powerfull prouidence; so hee giueth vnto them an inward guide to direct and rule them, to excite, vphold and strengthen them in all good courses, to purge them from all their corruptions, and to inable them vn∣to euery good worke; euen his owne holy Spirit, and that not to visit them sometimes by fits, but to dwell in them as in his temples, and to keepe in their soules and bodies continuall residence, that hee may be al∣wayes ready to direct and guide them in all their wayes, to strengthen their weaknesse, and to comfort their feeble hearts, that they may not faint in their Christian course. And this the Lord promiseth to the faith∣full; I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walke in my Statutes; and, Ye shall keepe my Iudgements and doe them. Neither doth this Spirit come a∣lone, but richly and royally attended with a choyce troope and traine of all sanctifying and sauing graces; as faith, hope, charity, patience, humili∣ty, and a good conscience, with the rest, which are of incomparable more value then the whole world, as bringing with them, for the present, the greatest comfort and contentment, and being for the time to come, ear∣nest-pennies of euerlasting ioy and happinesse. Nor doth this holy Spirit

giue vs these graces in the first and least degrees onely, but doth dayly nourish and increase them in vs, from one degree to another, till from infancy to child-hood, and from thence to youth, wee * 1.65 doe at last grow vp vnto a perfect age in Christ, bringing forth most * 1.66 fruit in our latter end. For being assisted and comforted by the Spirit, wee ouercome all difficulties, and those duties which at the first seemed hard and almost impossible, become familiar and plea∣sant; that yoke of Christ which at first galled vs, doth not hurt * 1.67 vs at all, when we are anoynted with this oyle, and his burthen which seemed intolerable, hauing this Companion to helpe and assist vs, becommeth light and easie, yea, sweet and delightfull. And so on the other side, when wee submit our selues to be guided and go∣uerned by the Spirit in the duties of a godly life, and doe not grieue it by quenching the good motions which it suggesteth vnto vs, we cause the good Spirit of God to take pleasure in his habitation, and to de∣light in vs to doe vs good, multiplying and increasing his graces in vs, of which we haue brought forth such good fruits, and redoubling our talents, when as we haue rightly vsed them to our Masters aduantage; according to that of our Sauiour; To him that hath, shall be giuen, and he * 1.68 shall haue aboundance; and from him that hath not, shall be taken euen that which he seemeth to haue.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eccles. 9. 2.
• * 1.2

  Ezech. 12. 22.
• * 1.3

  2. Pet. 3. 4. Eccles. 8. 11.
• * 1.4

  Mal. 3. 14.
• * 1.5

  Psal. 17. 14. & 73. 7. Luke 16. 25.
• * 1.6

  1. Cor. 15. 19.
• * 1.7

  Gen. 18. 25.
• * 1.8

  Heb. 11. 25.
• * 1.9

  Ier. 31. 3. Ioh. 13. 1.
• * 1.10

  Ioh. 3. 16. Rom. 5. 8, 10.
• * 1.11

  Ioh. 1. 12. 1. Ioh. 3. 1. Mal. 3. 17, 18.
• * 1.12

  Esa. 49. 15.
• * 1.13

  Hos. 2. 19.
• * 1.14

  Gen. 2. 24.
• * 1.15

  Num. 14. 8.
• * 1.16

  Iob. 17. 21, 24.
• * 1.17

  1. Iob. 3. 2.
• * 1.18

  Luk. 10. 20. 1. Pet. 1. 8.
• * 1.19

  Psal. 34. 15. & 33. 18.
• * 1.20

  Job 36. 7.
• * 1.21

  Psal. 37. 18.
• * 1.22

  Mat. 10. 30.
• * 1.23

  Deut. 1. 31. & 30. 11.
• * 1.24

  Ezech. 34. 12.
• * 1.25

  Psal. 23. 1, 2, 3.
• * 1.26

  Ioh. 10. 1, 2, &c.
• * 1.27

  Esa. 30. 21.
• * 1.28

  Psal. 37. 23.
• * 1.29

  Zach. 2. 8. Psal. 17. 8.
• * 1.30

  Psal. 34. 7.
• * 1.31

  Dan. 3. 25. & 6. 22.
• * 1.32

  2. King. 6. 17.
• * 1.33

  Psal. 91. 4, 5, 6, &c.
• * 1.34

  Psal. 33. 18, 19.
• * 1.35

  Esa. 41. 10.
• * 1.36

  Psal. 37. 24.
• * 1.37

  Psal. 34. 17, 18.
• * 1.38

  Psal. 41. 12.
• * 1.39

  Psal. 37. 3, 4.
• * 1.40

  Psal. 34. 9, 10.
• * 1.41

  Act. 17 28.
• * 1.42

  Psal. 131. 1, 2.
• * 1.43

  1. Tim. 6. 17.
• * 1.44

  Job 31. 24.
• * 1.45

  Iob. 31. 24.
• * 1.46

  Iob 31. 16, 17, 19.
• * 1.47

  Eccles. 2. 11.
• * 1.48

  Heb. 11. 25, 26.
• * 1.49

  Heb. 13. 14. and 11. 10.
• * 1.50

  1. Pet. 2. 24. Col. 2. 14. Gal. 3. 13.
• * 1.51

  Jam. 1. 12.
• * 1.52

  Lam. 3. 39.
• * 1.53

  1. Cor. 11. 32.
• * 1.54

  Heb. 12. 6, 7.
• * 1.55

  Apoc. 3. 19.
• * 1.56

  Iob 5. 19. Psal. 32. 10. and 91. 3, 4. Pro. 3. 21, 22, 23, 24.
• * 1.57

  Rom. 8. 28.
• * 1.58

  Heb. 12. 11.
• * 1.59

  Psal. 119. 71. Lam. 3. 27.
• * 1.60

  Psal.
• * 1.61

  Pro. 11. 8.
• * 1.62

  Psal. 34, 17, 19.
• * 1.63

  Psal. 50. 15.
• * 1.64

  1 Cor. ••. 16. and 6. 19.
• * 1.65

  Psal. 92. 14, 15.
• * 1.66

  Eph. 4. 13.
• * 1.67

  Matth. 11. 29.
• * 1.68

  Matth. 25. 29. Luk. 8. 18.