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. 1 That the Sa∣craments fur∣ther vs much in a godly life, as they are seales of the Couenant.

THe second meanes of inriching vs with all sauing graces, and strengthening vs vnto all the duties of a godly life, is the right vse of the Sacraments, Baptisme, and the Lords Sup∣per, both which doe much conduce hereunto, and each of them seuerally. For the Sacraments are seales annexed to the Couenant of grace, purposely instituted of God to strengthen and confirme our faith in this assurance, that Christ and all his benefits doe belong vnto vs; that in him, and for his righteousnesse, death, and full sa∣tisfaction vnto Gods Iustice, he hath pardoned and forgiuen vnto vs all our sinnes; that in him he is well pleased with vs, and hath giuen vnto vs iust title and interest to all his promises both of grace in this life, and glo∣ry and happinesse in the life to come; that hee will giue vnto vs his holy Spirit, and thereby write his Law in our hearts, that we shall not depart from him, mortifie our corruptions, and quicken vs vnto new obedience. Of all which benefits, the Sacraments are not onely significant signes, but al∣so infallible seales, annexed purposely by God vnto his Couenant, to as∣sure vs that he will performe all his promises, and to giue vnto vs (like a bond and conueyance legally signed and sealed) iust title and interest vn∣to all those blessings, euen before we sensibly haue them in possession and fruition. Yea not onely so, but they also serue like instruments and con∣duit pipes to conuey to the worthy receiuer, Christ, and all his benefits. Now what can more forcibly perswade, or more powerfully inable vs to the duties of a godly life, then the representing, assuring, and exhibiting of all these inestimable benefits, in the right vse of the Sacraments? What can more inflame our hearts with most feruent loue towards God, then the consideration, yea sense and feeling of this admirable loue of God towards vs, in giuing vnto vs when wee were sinners, strangers and enemies vnto him and his grace, Christ Iesus, and with him all these vn∣speakable benefits? and what more then loue can effectually mooue vs to an holy desire in all things to glorifie and please him, and to walke wor∣thy his loue in all holinesse of life and conuersation? What can more lighten the burthen of our labour, and make vs to thinke all too little which we can doe and suffer for him? Againe, the Couenant of grace

sealed vnto in the right vse of the Sacraments, doth singularly incourage vs to lay aside all doubts and difficulties, seeing God thereby assureth vs that he will, yea hath giuen vnto vs his holy Spirit, to direct and assist vs in all our good indeuours, in the mortifying of all our sinfull corruptions, seeme they neuer so strong and vnresistable, and strengthening vs to the performance of all good duties, seeme they neuer so difficult and vnplea∣sing vnto flesh & blood. And what can more effectually moue vs to go on in the worke of sanctification, then to haue such an assistant to ioyne with vs, vnto whom nothing is difficult, being infinitely able to performe and perfect whatsoeuer he vndertaketh? What can more powerfully perswade vs to doe God faithfull seruice, then to haue the pardon of our sinnes put into our owne hands, signed and sealed, so dearly purchased, and so freely giuen? then to haue the present pledges and pawnes of Gods loue and fauour, the earnest of his Spirit, the first fruits of his graces, and the con∣ueyances of our heauenly Inheritance, sealed and deliuered into our own keeping. For who would be so sluggish, as not to doe faithfull and dili∣gent seruice to such a glorious and gracious Master, for such liberall and bountifull wages? Finally, seeing in the right vse of the Sacraments wee doe really and truly, though spiritually and by faith, receiue Christ, that he may dwell in vs, and we in him, and not onely communicate with him in his diuine graces imputed by God, and applyed by faith, but also by vertue of his Spirit assisting this ordinance, haue all sanctifying and sa∣uing graces confirmed and increased in vs, whereby wee are strengthened vnto all the duties of a godly life: hence also it appeareth how much they conduce and further vs in them; seeing we haue Christ himselfe a co-wor∣ker with vs, who by his holy Spirit sustaineth the greatest part of the waight of that his easie yoke, and light burthen, which he layeth vpon vs; in which respect we may take courage vnto vs, and say with the Apostle, that we are able to doe all things, through the power of Christ which strengthen∣eth * 1.1 vs; and seeing also they cherish and increase his gifts and graces in vs, whereby we are moued and inabled to worke together with him, in all holy duties of Gods seruice, and of a godly and Christian life.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Phil. 4. 13.