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. XLV.

Of foure other mayne priuiledges, wherewith God crowneth the godly, both in this life and the life to come.

§. Sect. 1 The sixth mayne priui∣ledge, is, that God bestow∣eth vpon the godly the spirit of prayer and supplication.

THe sixth mayne priuiledge which God vouchsafeth to the godly, is, that he bestoweth vpon them the Spirit of prayer and supplication, and both heareth and granteth all the suites which they make vnto him. For hee powreth vpon the house of Dauid, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication, as he hath promised; and whereas naturally we know not how to pray, nor what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our infirmi∣ties, and maketh intercession for vs with gronings which cannot be vttered. And hee that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the minde of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the Saints, according to the will of God. Yea, he not onely by his Spirit teacheth vs how to pray, and what to aske, but hath also bound himselfe by his gracious and free promises, that hee will heare

all our suites made in the name of his Sonne, and indited by his Spirit, ac∣cording to that of our Sauiour; Aske, and you shall haue; seeke, and you shall finde; knocke, and it shall bee opened vnto you. And againe, Verily, verily I say vnto you, whatsoeuer ye shall aske the Father in my Name, hee will giue it you. Now what an high and holy priuiledge is this, to haue alwayes free ac∣cesse vnto God in all our wants and necessities, who is alone able to helpe vs, and will also doe it because of his promise? To haue a deare and able friend, into whose bosome wee may with boldnesse and comfort powre out all our complaints, who is ready to pitty and ease vs? To haue a key alwayes in our keeping, which through Christ will open vnto vs the treasury of Gods graces, where wee may relieue our wants, and store our selues with all things needfull for his glory, and our owne spirituall good and euerlasting saluation. Finally, to conuerse with the supreme and glo∣rious King of heauen and earth in a familiar manner, and to talke with him, as a man talketh with his friend? For as the Lord speaketh to the Is∣raelites, What nation is so great, who hath God so nigh vnto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call vpon him for? But this priuiledge is pecu∣liar vnto them who serue the Lord, by obseruing his will, according to that of our Sauiour; If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, aske what you will, and it shall be done vnto you; and not vnto wicked men, who turne away their eare from hearing the Law, and neglect the duties of Gods ser∣uice, whose sacrifices and prayers are abominable (as before I haue shewed) and shall not bee heard or granted of God, as hee telleth the rebellious Iewes; When you spread foorth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you, yea, when you make many prayers, I will not heare. And therefore let this also ef∣fectually mooue vs to serue the Lord in the duties of a godly life, that wee may be partakers of this rich and royall priuiledge, hauing not onely the Spirit of God as our Counseller, to draw all our suites and Petitions in such manner and forme as is agreeable to Gods will, and Christ our Ad∣uocate and Master of Requests, to preferre them vnto God in our behalfe, not pleading our deserts, but his owne merits and his Fathers promises; but also this high Court of Requests night and day open vnto v••, that in all our necessities wee may make our suites and supplications knowne vnto God, with confidence and assurance that they shall bee heard and granted.

§. Sect. 2 The seuenth maine priui∣ledge, is, that God granteth vnto them the meanes to build them vp in grace vnto saluation.

The seuenth priuiledge peculiar to the godly, is, that God granteth vnto them the meanes to build them vp in grace, and to bring them to saluation, with hearts to vse them, and the inward assistance of his holy Spirit, whereby they become profitable and effectuall to their ends. The which is to bee vnderstood, first, of the publike meanes, as hearing the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer, which the most in the world haue not at all, but those onely that liue in the Church, of which the fewest, and least number inioy them to their vse and benefit, either because they neglect and contemne them, or vse them after a cold, carelesse and formall man∣ner, without any desire and indeuour to profit by them, wanting in them∣selues faith, and a good conscience, and also the inward co-operation of Gods holy Spirit, to blesse and sanctifie them to their vse. By reason whereof it commeth to passe, that after they haue long been partakers of

Gods holy ••dinances, they are neuer the better, but remaine as ignorant and full of ••fidelity, as impenitent and vnprofitable as they were at the first; yea in ••uth much the worse, seeing for want of faith and prepara∣tion, the pr••ching of the Word, which is in it owne nature, Gods strong power to thei•• saluation, and the sauour of life vnto life, becommeth vnto them the sa••ur of death, to their deeper condemnation; and the Sacrament, which is the ••ale of saluation, through their vnworthy receiuing of it, sealeth vnto ••em iudgement and condemnation; yea euen their prayers themselues a•• turned into sinne, whilest they know not how to pray as they ought, ••th faith and feruency, in spirit and truth, but draw neere vn∣to God with th••r lips onely, when as their hearts are farre from him: whereas vnto the god••, they are great and inestimable priuiledges, because the Lord by his S••irit stirreth vp their appetite to hunger and thirst after them, and giu••th grace to vse them aright, after that manner as hath be∣fore been she••ed, mixing faith with them, whereby they become profi∣table, and that ••ot onely a iustifying faith, without which it is impossible to please God, but •• speciall faith or branch of the other, whereby they vse Gods holy or••ances without doubting, assuring themselues that hee will, according ••o his gracious promise, accompany their diligent, care∣full and conscio••able vse of the outward meanes, with the inward opera∣tion of his holy ••pirit, and make them effectuall for the inriching of their soules with all ••pirituall and sanctifying graces, and the furthering of their euerlasting saluation. And secondly, the godly haue this priuiledge more peculiar v••to themselues, in respect of the priuate meanes before spoken of; as wat••hfulnesse, meditation, examination of themselues, pri∣uate prayer, and t••e rest, seeing scarce any but they vse them; or if they doe, slightly, coldly, and to no purpose: whereas God giueth them grace to vse them aright, and with an earnest desire to profit by them; the which he also satisfieth, whilest by the inward assistance of his holy Spi∣rit, he maketh them powerfull and effectuall for their spirituall nourish∣ment, and the inriching of their soules with all sanctifying and sauing graces. And this also may be an effectuall reason to moue vs to godlinesse, that we may inioy these great priuiledges, and not only haue and vse them with others, but also haue them blessed and sanctified by Gods Spirit, that they may become profitable and effectuall to our saluation, without which, our nourishment it selfe will turne to poyson, and Gods holy ordi∣nances, which are the meanes of life and happinesse, being abused by vs for want of grace and godlinesse, will but harden vs in our sinnes, and so increase our condemnation and punishment.

§. Sect. 3 The eighth maine priui∣ledge i••▪ that they shall per∣seuere in the state of grace vnto saluation.

The eighth priuiledge peculiar to the godly, is, that they shall perse∣uere in the state of grace and saluation vnto the end; and howsoeuer, through the violence of the tentations of their spirituall enemies, and their owne frailty and corruption, they haue many slips and falls, yet they shall neuer fall away; and though they erre sometimes out of the way of righteousnesse, into the by-wayes of sinne, yet they returne into it againe by vnfained repentance, and redeeme this lost time with more then ordi∣nary diligence in Gods seruice. So that though there may bee, and are some ill premises in their liues which truly feare God, yet they alwayes

make a good conclusion; though they haue many rubs in the ••beay, yet at length they come safely to their iourneys end. And though ••hey haue many faults and failings in their liues, yet they are alwayes ble••d in their death; according to that of the Psalmist; Marke the perfect ••n, and be∣hold the vpright, for the end of that man is peace: and that of th•• Preacher, Though a sinner doe ill an hundred times, and his dayes be prolong••d, yet surely I know, it shall be well with them that feare God, which feare befo•••• him. The which their perseuerance in the state of grace vnto the end, •• not groun∣ded vpon themselues, or the strength of the graces which ••ey haue re∣ceiued (for then it were but a poore priuiledge, which woul•• euery day be subiect to losing) but vpon the power and promises of G••d, his Na∣ture and Attributes, the Intercession of Christ, and the vertu•• of his holy Spirit assisting and strengthening them. For, It is God whic•• ••stablisheth vs in Christ. It is his strength, whereby we are inabled to stand ••st against all the tentations of our spirituall enemies: it is his power, ••hereby we are kept through faith vnto saluation. And though wee are able t•• doe nothing of our selues, yet we can (with the Apostle) doe all things, though the power of Christ, which strengtheneth vs: neither is our spirituall lif•• in our owne custody, but it is hid with Christ in God, as the Apostle spe••keth. It stan∣deth not vpon the strength of our owne free will, but of Gods will; and as our Sauiour telleth vs, This is the Fathers will, that of ••ll which hee had giuen him, he should not lose one, but should raise it vp at the l••st Day. It stan∣deth vpon, not our resolution or loue towards God, but vpon his vn∣changeable counsell and decree, which shall stand, who hath not appoynted vs to wrath, but to obtaine saluation by our Lord Iesus Christ; and vpon his loue which is immutable and euerlasting: for whom he lo••eth, to the end hee loueth them. Not vpon our strength, but vpon the power of God, who is more mighty to saue, then all our enemies to hurt and destroy vs; so that though we be weake, and vnable to hold out, yet we shall bee established; for God is able to make vs stand, and to keepe that which wee haue committed vnto him, against that great Day of Christs appearing; for, he is greater then all, and none is able to pull vs out of his hand. Finally, it resteth not vpon the truth of our promises made to God, but of his promises made to vs, who is a faith∣full and true witnesse, and all his promises in Christ, Yea and Amen. For the Lord hath made his couenant with vs, and promised, that hee will put his Law in our inward parts, and write it in our hearts, and will be our God, and wee shall be his people. That he will forgiue our iniquity, and remember our sinnes no more: that he will put his Spirit vpon vs, and that his words which hee hath put into our mouthes, shall not depart out of them, from henceforth euen for euer: and that he will make an euerlasting Couenant with vs, and not turne away from vs to doe vs good, but will put his feare into our hearts, so as we shall not de∣part from him. That though we fall, we shall not be cast off, because the Lord put∣teth vnder his hand. That our righteousnesse shall remaine for euer, and that we shall neuer be moued, but shall be had in euerlasting remembrance. The which Couenant and promises of God are most immutable and vnchangeable. For the Mountaines shall depart, and the Hils shall be remoued, but Gods kind∣nesse shall not depart from vs, neither shall the Couenant of his peace be remoued. Yea, it is easier for heauen and earth to passe, then one tittle of his Word to faile.

The which may serue as a forcible argument to perswade vs to serue the Lord in the duties of a godly life; seeing when wee are once entred into it, we shall be sure to hold out in our Christian course vnto saluation, not∣withstanding our owne frailty and corruption, the many and great diffi∣culties which we find in the way, & the might & malice of all our spiritual enemies; for he that hath begun this good worke of grace in vs, is able and willing to perfect it vnto the end. The which argument, taken from the in∣fallibility of Gods counsell, ordaining vs to saluation, the Apostle vseth to with-hold vs from all sinne; The foundation of God (saith he) standeth sure, and the Lord knoweth them that are his. And let euery one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity. Yea, that we might the better bee in∣couraged to forsake all sinne, and to serue God in holinesse and righte∣ousnesse, he hath not kept this royall and inestimable priuiledge of our perseuerance in grace vnto saluation, as a secret to himselfe, but hath so plainly reuealed it in his Word, that we may take notice and bee assured of it, according to that of the Apostle; These things haue I written vnto you who beleeue on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that hee hath e∣ternall life. To the end that thereby our hearts may bee replenished with gladnesse, and wee incouraged to hold on in our course with ioy, seeing though we haue many lets and mighty oppositions in the way, yet we are sure that at the last we shall come safely to our iourneys end.

§. Sect. 4 The great and inestima∣ble priuiledges wherewith God crowneth a godly life in the world to come.

And these, with many other, are the rich and royall priuiledges, where∣with God in this world doth reward and crowne a godly life: which though they be great and inestimable, yet are they all little, in compari∣son of that glorious happinesse, which God hath reserued for those that loue and serue him in the world to come, being all but short preludes to that heauenly harmony, and small earnest-pennies and first-fruits of that maine bargaine, and plentifull haruest. For there we shall, both in our soules and bodies, be perfectly freed from all miseries and euils both of sinne and punishment, and all teares shall be cleane wiped from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there bee any more paine, as the holy Ghost speaketh. And contrariwise, wee shall there in ioy such honours, riches and ioyes, as neither the tongue can vtter, nor the heart conceiue. For we shall inherit a a Kingdome, an b heauenly King∣dome: yea, the Kingdome c of God, which like himselfe, because it chiefly consisteth in the fruition of himselfe, is most absolute and infinite in all perfection. There we shall be crowned with a d Crowne of life, an e vncor∣ruptible Crowne, a f Crowne of glory. There wee shall be perpetually feasted at the great feast and g marriage Supper of the Kings Sonne, where there shall be nothing but mirth and gladnesse, plenty without want, and ful∣nesse without satiety. There we shall rest from all our labours, and sanctifie vnto God a perpetuall Sabbath, continually singing praises vnto him, who is the Authour and Fountaine of all our happinesse. There we shall swimme in a riuer and torrent of pleasure, and haue fulnesse of ioy at Gods right hand for euermore. There we shall haue spirituall bodies, that is, such as shall be indued with spirituall and excellent qualities; as immortality and agility, strength and impassibility, beauty and comelinesse, brightnes and glory. There our soules shal be perfectly renewed according to Gods

Image, being indued with such wisdome and vnderstanding, that wee shall know God and his will, our selues, and all the secrets and myste∣ries both of nature and grace; and with such complete holinesse and righteousnesse, that there shall be neither spot nor wrinkle in them. There we shall haue the blessed and glorious societie of all the holy Saints and blessed Angels, and perfectly louing them as our selues, we shall reioyce in their happinesse, as much as in our owne, whereby our ioyes shall be, according to their innumerable number, multiplied and increased. There wee shall enioy the company of our Sauiour Christ himselfe in his perfect glory; and that which shall be the top and perfection of all our happinesse, we shall haue the vision and frui∣tion of God himselfe, the Father, Sonne and holy Spirit, who being infinite in goodnesse, glory, beautie, excellencie, wisdome, power & all perfection, will be the full consummation of all our ioy and happi∣nesse; which blessed estate we shall enioy, not for a thousand, or many thousand millions of yeeres, but these pleasures shall last for euermore, and of this Kingdome there shall be no end. All which points I doe here but briefely touch, hauing intreated of them at large in another place. Onely let vs here take notice, that this rich priuiledge and incompa∣rable happinesse belongeth not to all or the greatest part of men, but is peculiar to the faithfull, who desire and indeuour to serue and please God in the duties of a godly life: For though eternall life be the free gift of God, and he may bestow it where he will, yet he giueth it not vnto any, whom he doth not first fit for it, induing them with grace, before he aduanceth them to glory, and working holinesse in them whom he purposeth to bring vnto happinesse; without which no man shall see God, as the Apostle speaketh. Though we are not saued and glori∣fied for a godly life, but for the merits and righteousnesse of Christ applied by faith, yet we are not saued without it, seeing it is the way which leadeth vs vnto this place of heauenly happinesse, in which if we trauaile not, wee can neuer come to the end of our iourney. It is a free inheritance, but yet giuen to none who haue not approued them∣selues the children of God, by resembling their Father in holinesse, and righteousnesse. It is not Wolues or Goates that must feed in this heauenly pasture, but onely the Sheepe of Christ, who stand at his right hand: and none are in this number, but those which heare his voyce and follow him. And therefore the Apostle calleth this heauenly happinesse a Crowne of righteousnesse, not only because it was purchased by the righ∣teousnes and obedience of Christ, but also because it is giuen to none but the righteous, and their righteousnesse (not by merit, but of grace) is crowned with it. So he telleth vs, that wee must first be freed from the seruice of sinne, and become seruants to God, bringing forth the fruits of holinesse, before wee can attaine vnto that end of euerlasting life. The which, aboue all other reasons, should powerfully mooue vs vnto the duties of Gods seruice in a godly life. For seeing, as the Apostle speaketh, we expect to receiue a Kingdome, which cannot be moued, let vs haue grace, whereby we may serue God acceptably with reuerence and godly feare. And so I will conclude this part of my Treatise, contayning the ar∣guments

and reasons, which may effectually perswade vs to the lea∣ding of a godly life. And now nothing remayneth, but that I intreate thee (Christian Reader) not slightly to passe ouer what hath beene sayd, but that thou consider and weigh seriously these reasons which I haue produced. And if they conuince thy Iudgements (as they must needs, if it be not wilfully blinded) that the godly life is most happy and blessed; both in respect of Gods glory, and thy owne benefit; freedome from euill, and fruition of good; present comfort, and future hope; be incouraged to goe forward in this way with more diligence and greater speed, if already thou walkest in it; or be perswaded by them, if thou art not as yet entred into this course of Christianity, now to resolue of a happy beginning, leauing thine eager pursuit of worldly vanities; which, if nothing else, yet miserable experience in the end will teach thee, to be not onely vnprofitable, but (if thou pre∣ferre them in thy iudgement, and loue them in thine heart, before spi∣rituall and heauenly excellencies) hurtfull and pernicious, and betaking thy selfe vnto a new course, indeuour to serue and please God thorow∣out the whole remainder of thy daies in the duties of a godly life. For be thou well assured, that these reasons shall be powerfull and ef∣fectuall, either to perswade thee, or to condemne thee, and shall serue as euidences of truth to draw thee, vnto God in the duties of holinesse and righteousnesse, or as euidences of terrour to conuince thee be∣fore God at the day of Iudgement, for thy wilfull neglect and con∣tempt of all meanes and motiues, which in this acceptable time and day of saluation he hath graciously granted thee, to draw thee by the way of Grace and godlinesse, into that his hea∣uenly Kingdome, full of glorie and happinesse.

Notes

• Zach. 12. 10. Rom. 8. 26, 27.
• Mat. 7 7. Iob. 16. 23. 1. Ioh. 5. 14, 15. Psal. 50. 15.
• Deut. 4. 7.
• Iob. 15. 7.
• Pro. 15. 8.
• & 28. 9.
• Psa. 1. 15. Pro. 1. 28. Zach. 7. 11, 12, 13.
• Esa. 6. 9.
• Math. 11. 21. Rom. 1. 16.
• 2. Cor. 2. 16. 1. Cor. 11. 29.
• Esa. 29. 13.
• Psal. 42. 1, 2.
• Heb. 4. 2.
• Heb. 11. 6.
• Iam. 1. 6.
• Psal. 37. 37.
• 2. Cor. 1. 21.
• Eph. 6. 10, 12.
• 1. Pet. 1. 4.
• Col. 3. 3.
• Ioh. 6. 39.
• 1. Thes. 5. 9.
• Jer. 31. 8.
• Joh. 13. 1.
• Rom. 14▪ 4. 2. Tim. 1. 12.
• Ioh. 10. 28.
• Apoc. 1. 5. 2. Cor. 1. 20.
• Ier. 31. 31. and 33. 33. Esa. 59. 21. Ier. 32. 40.
• Psal. 37. 24. Psal. 112. 6, 9.
• Esa. 54. 10.
• Luk. 16. 17.
• Phil. 1. 6.
• 2. Tim. 2. 19.
• 1. Joh. 5. 13.
• Apoc. 21. 4.
• a

  Mat. 25. 34.
• b

  and 7. 31.
• c

  Act. 4. 22.
• d

  Iam. 1 12.
• e

  1. Cor. 9. 25.
• f

  1. Pet. 5. 4.
• g

  Apoc. 19. 9.
• Psal. 36. 8. and 16. 11. 1. Cor. 15.
• Eph. 5. 27.
• Psal. 16. 11.
• Ioh. 6. 51. 1. Pet. 1. 4.
• Christian Warfare. The 2. part. lib. 3. cap. 3. 4, &c. Rom. 6. 23.
• Heb. 12. 14.
• Matth. 25. 34.
• Ioh. 10. 27.
• 2. Tim. 4. 8.
• Rom. 6. 22.
• Heb. 12. 18.