A Guide to Godliness, Book 5 · Chapter 42
CAP. XLII.
Other reaſons, taken from thoſe ſingular priuiledges, which are peculiar vntounto thoſe who ſerue God in the duties of a godly life.
§. Sect. 1 The firſt priuiledge is, that the image of God is repayred in vsus.
ANd ſo much concerning the priuatiue benefits which accompany a godly life. The poſitiue benefits which we receiue by it, are manifold. For firſt, hereby the image of God is repayred in vsus, and wee are made like vntounto him, ſeeing this image chiefely conſiſteth in wiſedome, holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, whereby knowing God and his will, we are transformed in all holy obedience vntounto it. So the Apoſtle ſaith, that we hauehave put on the New man, which is renued in knowledge, after the image Col. 3. 10.of him that created vsus. And exhorteth vsus to bee renewed in the Spirit of Ephe. 4. 23, 24.our mindes, and to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe. So that if we be renewed in wiſedome and knowledge, in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, we ſhall become like vntounto God, hauing his image through Chriſt renewed in vsus, after which wee were created, but had it defaced in vsus by the fall of Adam. And this argument the Scriptures doe often vſe to perſwade vsus vntounto an holy and righteous life. So the Lord himſelfe preſſeth this reaſon to his people: For I am the Lord your God, ye ſhall therefore ſanctifie your ſelues, and Leuit. 11. 44. Leuit. 19. 2. & 20. 7.yee ſhall bee holy, for I am holy. And againe, Yee ſhall ſanctifie your ſelues, and be ye holy, for I am the Lord your God. And our Sauiour Chriſt exhorteth vsus to bee therefore perfect, that, as children of our heauenly Father, Matth. 5. 45, 48wee may reſemble him in perfection. So the Apoſtle would hauehave vsus to approue our ſelues to be the ſonnes of God, by being blameleſſe, harmeleſſe, Phil. 2 15.& without rebuke, in the midſt of a crooked & peruerſe nation. And the Apoſtle Iohn teacheth vsus, how we may approue our ſelues to hauehave fellowſhip 1. Iohn 1. 6, 7.with God, namely, by walking in the light, as he is in the light. And Eph. 5. 1.finally, the Apoſtle Peter perſwadeth vsus to an holy life by the ſame reaſon: As he that hath called you is holy, ſo bee yee holy, in all manner of 1. Pet. 1. 15, 16.conuerſation, becauſe it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. Neither in truth can any thing bee more effectuall to perſwade vsus to an holy life, then this argument, if it bee well waighed. For the neerer wee come to this moſt abſolute and perfect patterne, the more we ſhall bee reſtored to that ſtate of excellency and perfection, in which we were created; the more wee reſemble him who is the chiefe Goodneſſe and bleſſedneſſe, the more wee ſhall exceede in goodneſſe and glory, in holineſſe and happineſſe, the which alwaies accompany one another. The more like we are vntounto God, the more communion we ſhall hauehave with him; the more hee will louelove vsus and delight in vsus, as a Father ordinarily beſt loueth that childe, that moſt reſembleth him in fauour and nature, though oftentimes out of meere ſelfe-louelove, becauſe hee ſeemeth to liue in him, and not for any excellencie that is in thoſe parts and qualities which hee loueth in him. And if generally likeneſſe cauſeth louelove, when there is no worth in the thing beloued, how much more will God infinitely louelove vsus, when as by our likeneſſe we ſhall be made moſt louely, and that for his owne ſake, with a pure and perfect louelove, becauſe his Image is ſtamped in vsus, and he after a ſort liueth in vsus, and we in him, his holineſſe and righteouſneſſe being manifeſted in our godly life and conuerſation?
§. Sect. 2 The ſecond priuiledge is, that by a godly life we hauehave title & intereſt in all Gods promiſes, and firſt, of temporall bleſſings.
Secondly, by a godly life wee hauehave intereſt vntounto all Gods promiſes, whereby he hath aſſured vsus of all his bleſſings and benefits, both temporall 1. Tim. 4. 8. Pſal. 34. 9, 10. Pſal. 84. 11. 2. Pet. 1. 3, 4.and eternall, according to that of the Apoſtle; Godlineſſe is profitable vntounto all things, hauing the promiſe of the life that now is, and that which is to come. So the Pſalmiſt ſaith, that they which ſeeke and feare the Lord, ſhall not want any good thing. For the Lord God is a ſunne and ſhield, he will giuegive grace and glory; and no good thing will hee withhold from them that walke vprightly. And the Apoſtle Peter teſtifieth, that God, according to his diuine power, hath giuen vntounto vsus (that is, all the faithfull who ſerue him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe) all things that pertaine vntounto life and godlineſſe, through the knowledge of him who hath called vsus to glory and vertue; whereby are giuen vntounto vsus exceeding great and precious promiſes, &c. Now theſe bleſſings and benefits which God hath promiſed as the gracious rewards of a godly conuerſation, are either temporall, and of this life, or eternall, and of the life to come. Thoſe of this life; are either corporall, concerning the body and outward eſtate; or ſpirituall, reſpecting chiefly the good of the ſoule, by inriching it with all ſanctifying and ſauing graces. The benefits of the former kinde are promiſed to all thoſe who ſerue the Lord, and carefully obſerue all his Commandements, although not abſolutely, but conditionally, ſo farre foorth as the corporall bleſſings will beſt ſtand with Gods glory, and our ſpirituall and eternall good. Thus the Lord promiſeth in the Law, that hee will giuegive vntounto thoſe who obſerue and keepe it, all the Deut. 28.bleſſings of this life, reſpecting either their perſons or ſtates. As that hee will bleſſe them in themſelues, and alſo in their children and poſterity; Leuit. 26.that he will giuegive them health of body, and a long life and good dayes, Pſal. 34. 12.proſperity and plenty of all good things, ſtrength of body, and gifts of the minde, as wiſedome, fortitude, and the reſt, that he will bleſſe them in the field and in the houſe, at home in the city, and abroad, by giuing them victory ouer all their enemies, and cauſing them to be had in honour and high eſteeme amongſt all the nations which dwelt about them. All which his gifts, are vntounto thoſe that feare God, double bleſſings, becauſe he not onelyonly giueth the things themſelues, but alſo the right vſe of them, whereby they become truely profitable. Secondly, becauſe he maketh his gifts ſufficient, in what proportion ſoeuer they are, for their preſeruation and comfort, and by giuing contentment with them, cauſeth them to ſatisfie their deſires; whereas worldly men are inſatiable, like the graue and hell, which neuer ſay, Enough. Thirdly, becauſe hee doth meaſure out vntounto them ſuch a proportion of worldly bleſſings, as is moſt fit for their ſpirituall eſtate, that they may bee more mindfull of him, and hauehave their faith, hope, affiance, humility, and other ſauing graces exerciſed and increaſed, and doth not ſuffer them to abound in ſuch ſuperfluous exceſſe, as would bee rather an heauy burthen vntounto them then a benefit; a meanes to quench his graces in them, and to diſtract them in all religious duties; a ſnare to intangle them in worldly cares, and to withdraw their hearts from him, and to faſten them vponupon the world; an occaſion to make them forget him, and like pampered horſes, to kicke againſt him that feedeth them; to weaken their affiance, and to make them truſt in themſelues and their owne prouiſions; to puffe them vp in pride towards him, and inſolencie towards their neighbours, as though they excelled them as much in true worth, as they exceed them in worldly wealth. The which is a ſingular benefit to the faithfull; that ſeeing they cannot, through naturall corruption, meaſure their appetite, the Lord, like a carefull and skilfull Phyſician, ſhould ſtint and diet them, letting them hauehave ſo much, not as they deſire, but as they are well able to diſgeſt, ſeeing a greater quantity would but ſurcharge their ſtomakes and cauſe a ſurfet, turning all the ſuperfluity into crudities, and the hurtfull humours of vice and ſinne, as pride, couetouſneſſe, louelove of the world, and ſuch like, which would much hazzard and impaire their ſpirituall health. And thus the Lord promiſeth corporall bleſſings vntounto them that ſerue him, not ſimply and abſolutely, but ſo as they may be truly beneficiall; not becauſe he would hauehave them ſo mercenary as to ſerue him chiefly for worldly wages, as the deuill charged Iob (for hee reſpecteth onelyonly that filiall obedience which ariſeth out of a Iob 1. 9.liuely faith, and vnfained louelove) but ſeeing we are ſo ſenſuall, that we hauehave things preſent in great eſteeme, and neglect future bleſſings much more precious and permanent, therefore the Lord graciouſly condeſcending vntounto our weakeneſſe and infirmities, doth alſo promiſe and giuegive vntounto vsus corporall benefits, as it were temporary wages, that receiuing, beſides our future hopes, this preſent pay, we might the rather be incouraged to performe vntounto him diligent ſeruice. Thus the Lord perſwadeth vsus not to forget his Law, but to apply our hearts to keepe his Commandements, becauſe Pro. 3. 2.length of dayes, long life, and peace they ſhall adde vntounto vsus. Thus wiſedome mooueth all to imbrace her, not onelyonly for her ſpirituall excellencies, but Pro. 8. 18.alſo becauſe riches and honour are with her; (and thoſe which ſeldome meete) Iob 22. 24, 25.durable riches and righteouſneſſe, vnleſſe theſe promiſes are rather to bee taken in a ſpirituall ſenſe. And our Sauiour Chriſt perſwadeth vsus to forſake the world and our ſelues by this argument, becauſe no man that leaueth Mar. 10. 29, 30.houſe, or brethren, or ſiſters, &c. for his ſake and the Goſpels, but they ſhall receiue an hundred fold now in this time, houſes, and brethren, and ſiſters, &c. and in the world to come eternall life. The Apoſtle alſo vſeth this reaſon to perſwade vntounto Chriſtian beneficence, not only becauſe they ſhould reape a plentifull harueſt, of their ſeed ſo ſowne, in heauen, but alſo becauſe God 2. Cor. 9. 6, 8.was able to returne vntounto them ſuch ſufficient plenty of temporall bleſſings, that they might ſtill abound vntounto eueryevery good worke. So that Gods earthly and corporall benefits, which he hath promiſed to thoſe that ſerue him, may ſerue as ſtrong, though not the ſtrongeſt reaſons, to make vsus diligent in all Chriſtian duties. For howſoeuer carnall and worldly men are to be condemned, who ſtand moſt affected to temporary rewards, enquiring who will ſhew them any good, and what profit there is in ſeruing the Almighty, Mal. 3. 14.when any man perſwadeth them vntounto it; yet Gods owne children, though they are chiefly to regard ſpirituall grace and heauenly glory, may hauehave, in performance of their duty, ſome reſpect to earthly benefits, and incourage themſelues in Gods ſeruice, in hope to receiue ſuch a proportion of them, as will ſtand with their ſpirituall good and eternall ſaluation, to which end God hath promiſed them.
§. Sect. 3 That by a godly life, Gods ſauing graces are much increaſed in vsus.
The ſecond ſort of the benefits of this life, are Gods ſpirituall graces, all which are much increaſed by a godly life. And firſt, heereby our faith is much confirmed and increaſed, by our frequent performing the duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. For as often Acts doe confirme and increaſe an habit; and both our bodily ſtrength, and all faculties of the mind, are not onelyonly preſerued, but alſo much improoued by continuall exerciſe; ſo vertuous actions and workes of piety and righteouſneſſe, being the exerciſes of our faith, doe tend much to the ſtrengthening of it; whereas contrariwiſe, by the neglect of theſe duties, it is much weakened, and by the contrary vices and acts of ſinne exceedingly ſhaken, and grieuouſly wounded. In which regard, the Apoſtle ioyneth the holding of faith, and a 1. Tim. 1. 19. 1. Cor. 15. 58.good conſcience, becauſe the one will not ſtay without the other, being ſuch louing twins as cannot be diuided, but liue and die together. More eſpecially, the duties of a godly life, doe confirme our faith in the aſſurance of our election, not as cauſes, for the election of God is free of grace, and Rom. 11. 6. Eph. 1. 4.not of workes, but as the effects and fruits of it, and as the end vntounto which wee are elected, for wee are not choſen becauſe wee were holy, but to the end that wee might bee holy, as the Apoſtle ſheweth. Thus the Apoſtle Peter exhorting vsus to make our calling and election ſure, 2. Pet. 1. 10.preſcribeth this as the onelyonly meanes, the ioyning of one vertue and Chriſtian duty with another, telling vsus, that if wee doe theſe things, wee ſhall neuer fall. The Pſalmiſt likewiſe ſetting downe the markes and ſignes, whereby wee may know whether God hath choſen vsus to dwell in his holy mountaine, maketh this the firſt & chiefe, to walke vprightly, and work righteouſneſſe, Pſal. 15. 2. & 24. 4.and to hauehave cleane hands, and a pure heart. Secondly, hereby our faith is perſwaded of Gods grace and louelove in Chriſt. For by keeping of Gods Commandements, we are aſſured that we louelove God, according to that of the Apoſtle Iohn, Whoſo keepeth his Word, in him verily is the louelove of God perfected; 1. Ioh. 3. 6. 1. Ioh. 4. 19.and conſequently, that he loueth vsus, ſeeing we louelove him, becauſe he loued vsus firſt, our louelove being but a ſparke of that diuine and infinite flame. Thirdly, of our effectuall calling, this being the meanes which the Apoſtle preſcribeth to make it ſure. For heereby we know, that the grace of God, 2. Pet. 1. 10. Tit. 2. 11, 12.bringing ſaluation, hath ſhined vntounto vsus, when as we are taught thereby, to deny vngodlineſſe and worldly luſts; and to liue ſoberly, righteouſly, and godly in this preſent world; that wee hauehave in a ſauing manner heard Gods Word, when hauing receiued it into honeſt hearts, wee hauehave brought foorth fruits Luk. 8. 15.with patience. That wee are ingrafted into Chriſt the true Vine, when Ioh. 15.wee bring foorth the ripe Grapes of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. That wee are trees of righteouſneſſe of Gods owne planting, when like the tree planted by the riuers of waters, wee bring foorth fruit in due ſeaſon. That wee are good men, when out of the good treaſure of our heart Pſal. 1. 2. Mat. 7. 17, 18, 20we bring foorth that which is good. That wee are of God, and the Sheepe of Chriſt, when we heare Gods Word, and follow him. And that wee are truely Luk. 6. 45.a kinne to Chriſt, when wee doe the will of his Father which is in heauen. Ioh. 8. 47. Mat. 12. 50.Fourthly, by a godly life, and the workes of piety and righteouſneſſe, our faith is aſſured of it ſelfe, that it is liuely and vnfained; for as our good workes doe ſhew it vntounto others, ſo alſo they approoue it vntounto our ſelues, as being the fruits of this tree, and the very breath of this body, without which, it is but a dead ſtocke and rotten carkaſſe. For as the Apoſtle Iames Iam. 2. 17, 26.telleth vsus, Faith, if it hauehave no workes, is dead, being alone; And as the body without the ſpirit is dead, ſo faith without workes is dead alſo. Fifthly, our faith is heereby aſſured of our iuſtification, and of all the fruits and benefits that doe accompany it. As that we are freed from our ſinnes, both in reſpect of their guilt and puniſhment, by the death and reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt, when as by the vertue and power of them, we feele our ſelues deliuered from the corruption of them, ſo as they doe not rule and raigne in vsus, as in former times, and quickned in the inner man vntounto holineſſe and newneſſe of life. That we are reconciled vntounto God, when as we feele an earneſt deſire and conſtant indeuour wrought in vsus of pleaſing him in all things. That we are his children by adoption and grace, when we liue as it becommeth his children, and reſemble our heauenly Father in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. That we are ſanctified by his Spirit, when as wee bring forth the fruits of our ſanctification in a godly and Chriſtian life. That we hauehave vnfainedly repented of our ſinnes, when as wee bring forth fruits worthy amendment, and doe daily exerciſe our ſelues in good workes. Finally, that we are Citizens of heauen, and heires of euerlaſting happineſſe, when as we hauehave our conuerſation there, ſetting our hearts and affections on things aboue, and not on things beneath; and when hauing Phil. 3. 20. Col. 3. 2. Joh. 3. 2, 3.this hope, that we ſhall be made like vntounto Chriſt, we hauehave purged our ſelues, as he alſo is pure.
§. Sect. 4 That a godly life ſtrengthneth and increaſeth our hope and confidence in God.
The ſecond ſpirituall benefit of a godly life is, that it ſtrengtheneth and increaſeth our hope and confidence in God, grounded vponupon this aſſurance, Pſal. 34. 15.that hee will preſerue all thoſe that feare and ſerue him, from all euill, all perils and dangers, and the malice and might of all their enemies, and that he will prouide for them all things neceſſary, ſeeing he, who is ſo bountifull euen to his enemies, will not let his owne children want any thing that is good, who hauehave a deſire to ſerue and pleaſe him. So that they which feare the Lord, hauehave great cauſe to truſt in the Lord, as the Pſalmiſt Pſal. 115. 11.exhorteth, becauſe he is their helpe and ſhield. And this made the three Children ſo confident, that they cared not for the rage of the Tyrant, nor for the fiery Furnace, though ſeuenfold hotter then ordinary, becauſe they had ſerued God with a good conſcience, and thereby were aſſured, that the God whom they ſerued, was both able and willing to deliuer them. Dan. 3. 17.This made Daniel to ſerue God conſtantly, whom hee had formerly ſerued, notwithſtanding the cruell edict of the King; becauſe he well knew, that the God whom he ſerued, was able to deliuer him from the Lions, as Dan. 6. 16.Darius alſo acknowledged. From which confidence there ariſe diuers other ſingular benefits, as inward ioy and comfort in all eſtates, ſeeing in this confidence we hauehave caſt all our care vponupon God; patience in all troubles, ſeeing we truſt aſſuredly in God for helpe and deliuerance, in that time which ſhall be moſt ſeaſonable, both for his glory, and our owne ſpirituall good and euerlaſting ſaluation. Cheerfulneſſe in the wayes of godlineſſe, when they ſeeme fulleſt of difficulty and danger, becauſe the Lord, in whom we truſt, is able to ſupport and defend vsus. And finally, conſcience of our well doing, and our earneſt deſire to glorifie and pleaſe God in all Chriſtian and holy duties, doth not onelyonly much ſtrengthen our faith in the aſſurance of Gods infinite mercies, and Chriſts all-ſufficient merits, but alſo exceedingly confirme our affiance, in the ſenſe and feeling of Gods louelove, ſo that we are thereby inabled, with great confidence, to hauehave our acceſſe vntounto the Throne of grace, and with much liberty of ſpeech and ſpirit, to make all our ſuits knowne vntounto him, with aſſurance that they ſhall be graciouſly heard and granted. For the effectuall Iam. 5. 16.feruent prayer of arighteous man auaileth much. And we are aſſured, with Dauid, that the God of our righteouſnes will heare our prayers, and that the Lord, Pſal. 4. 1, 3.who ſetteth apart him that is godly, for himſelfe, will heare vsus (being ſuch) when we call vponupon him; That the eyes of the Lord are vponupon the righteous, and that his eares are open to heare their cry. The which the Apoſtle Peter vſeth, Pſal. 34. 15.as an effectuall argument, to mooue vsus to eſchew euill, and doe good, to ſeeke 1. Pet. 3. 11, 12.peace, and enſue it, becauſe it confirmeth our confidence, that God will heare and grant all our ſuits; ſeeing, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaketh, He will fulfill Pſal. 145. 19.the deſires of them that feare him, he alſo will heare their cry, and will ſaue them. For howſoeuer the chiefe and principall cauſe of our confidence and boldneſſe be not any thing in our ſelues, but onelyonly Ieſus Chriſt, in whom God is well pleaſed with vsus, according to that of the Apoſtle; In whom Epheſ. 3. 12.we hauehave boldneſſe and acceſſe with confidence, by the faith of him: And though this be the maine ground of our affiance, when we make our ſuits knowne vntounto God, becauſe Chriſt our high Prieſt maketh interceſſion for vsus, in confidence whereof we may, as the Apoſtle exhorteth, come boldly vntounto the Heb. 4. 16.Throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, & find grace to help in time of need, yet we may draw neere with much more boldneſſe, and with a true heart, in full Heb. 10. 22.aſſurance of faith, when we hauehave our harts ſprinkled from an euill conſcience, and our bodies waſhed with pure water; that is, not only the blood of Redemptiō, which purgeth vsus from the guilt of our ſinnes, but alſo the water of ablution, which cleanſing vsus from the corruption of ſinne, doth aſſure vsus, that we are waſhed in that Lauer of Chriſts blood; and when our conſciences are ſo purged from dead workes thereby, as that wee are inabled, in ſome good meaſure, to ſerue the liuing God. For if wee regard wickedneſſe in our Heb. 9. 14. Pſal. 66. 18.hearts, we can hauehave no aſſurance that God will heare vsus; if wee come into Gods preſence with guilty conſciences, accuſing vsus for the neglect of his ſeruice, and for liuing in ſinne without repentance, ſhame will couer our faces, and take away all boldneſſe and confidence, when wee make our ſuits vntounto him. For we know, that if our heart condemne vsus, God is greater Iob. 3. 20, 21, 22then our heart, and knoweth all things; but if our hearts condemne vsus not, then hauehave we confidence towards God: And whatſoeuer we aske, we receiue of him, becauſe we keepe his Commandements, and doe thoſe things that are pleaſing in his ſight. For this maketh him to entertaine our ſuits, not onelyonly graciouſly in reſpect of vsus, but alſo with great pleaſure in himſelfe, according to that of Salomon; The ſacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but Pro. 15. 8.the prayer of the vpright is his delight. Whereof it is that Dauid, though a man highly in Gods fauour, would not raſhly preſſe into his preſence, to make his ſuits vntounto him, before hee had renewed his righteouſneſſe by faith and repentance. For he profeſſeth, that he would firſt waſh his hands Pſal. 26. 6.in innocency, and then he would compaſſe Gods Altar. Now what greater benefit then this, or what more effectuall motiue vntounto a godly life, then to hauehave hereby the grace and fauour of our Soueraigne Lord and King, ſo as we may at all times, with boldneſſe, come into his preſence, and as his chiefe fauorites, hauehave his eare ſtill open vntounto vsus, ſo as we may freely make all our ſuits knowne vntounto him, with aſſured confidence, that they ſhall be heard and granted, ſeeing he taketh delight in our prayers, and is as well pleaſed in giuing, as we in receiuing?
§. Sect. 5 That a godly life bringeth courage and true fortitude.
The third ſpirituall benefit which a godly life bringeth, is Chriſtian courage and true fortitude: For being aſſured of Gods fauour and gracious aſſiſtance, no dangers are able to daunt vsus; and hauing put on the breſtplate of righteouſneſſe, we feare not the incounters of any enemies. According to that of Salomon; The wicked flee, when no man purſueth, but the righteous are bold as a Lion. An example whereof wee hauehave in Dauid, who was ſo couragious in the aſſurance of Gods aſſiſtance, that hee ſaith, he would not be afraid of ten thouſand of people, that had ſet themſelues againſt Pſal. 3. 5.him round about. And profeſſeth, that becauſe God was his refuge and Pſal. 46. 1, 2.ſtrength, he would not feare though the earth were remoued, and though the Mountaines were carried into the middeſt of the ſea. Yea, though he ſhould walke Pſal. 23. 4.thorow the vale of the ſhadow of death, yet he would feare no euill, becauſe God was with him, and his rod and ſtaffe comforted him. Neither was this his caſe alone, but of all thoſe that feare and ſerue the Lord, who, as he ſheweth at large, ſtand in feare of no euill, though dangers beſet them on all ſides, becauſe they hauehave made God their refuge and fortreſſe, who will therefore Pſal. 91. 2, 3, &c.deliuer them from the feare of the Fowler, and from the noyſome peſtilence, &c. And giuegive his Angels charge ouer them, to keepe them in all their wayes; who ſhall beare them vp in their hands, leſt they daſh their foot againſt a ſtone. And therefore if we would be truly couragious, let vsus ſerue God in the duties of a godly life, and being ſafe vnderunder his protection, and hauing him on Rom. 8. 31. Pſal. 56. 11.our ſide, we ſhall not need to care who ſet againſt vsus, nor to feare what man can doe vntounto vsus.
§. Sect. 6 That a godly life keepeth our conſciences pure and peaceable.
The fourth benefit is, that this godly life doth keepe our conſciences pure and peaceable. For when wee ſet our ſelues with full reſolution to pleaſe God in all things, we carefully flee all knowne ſinnes, whereby the conſcience would be defiled. And ſo hauing nothing to lay to our charge, or to accuſe vsus of before God, ſauing humane frailties and infirmities, for which we hauehave (as it were) a pardon of courſe, ſealed by the blood of Chriſt; the conſcience becommeth peaceable, and ſpeaketh nothing but good and ioyfull things vntounto vsus, teſtifying the remiſſion of our ſinnes, our reconciliation with God, and that we and our workes are accepted of him. So that if with vprightneſſe of heart we will ſerue the true Melchiſedech, in the duties of a godly life, he will be vntounto vsus, not onelyonly a King Heb. 7. 2.of righteouſneſſe, but alſo a King of peace. For dying for our ſinnes, and riſing againe to iuſtifie vsus, he hath at his departure left this rich legacy to all his true Diſciples; Peace I leaue with you, may peace I giuegive vntounto you. The Ioh. 14. 27. and 16. 33.which is not to be eſteemed a gift of ſmall value, ſeeing as the Apoſtle telleth vsus, it paſſeth all vnderſtanding; being one of thoſe fruits, wherein Phil. 4. 7.the Kingdome of heauen, and our euerlaſting happineſſe is begun in vsus in this life; for as he ſaith, The Kingdome of God is not meate and drinke, but Rom. 14. 27.righteouſneſſe, and peace, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt. The which may effectually mooue vsus to all Chriſtian and holy duties of a godly life, ſeeing theſe firſt fruits of heauenly ioy, are incomparably of more value, then a whole harueſt of all earthly happineſſe, euen in their preſent worth, as bringing with them more ſound comfort and contentment, more durable and laſting ioy; and alſo becauſe they are ſure euidences and earneſt-pennies of our heauenly Inheritance, and full fruition of euerlaſting bleſſedneſſe.
§. Sect. 7 That a godly life cauſeth conſtancy and perſeuerance vntounto the end.
The fifth benefit which we ſhal receiue by a godly life is, that if we once with a firme reſolution & earneſt indeuour ſet our ſelues to ſerue & pleaſe God, we ſhall continue in this eſtate, notwithſtanding our manifold infirmities and corruptions which make vsus daily prone to fall into ſinne. For they who are once receiued into couenant with God, hauehave not onelyonly the gracious promiſe of the remiſſion of their ſinnes, but alſo hauehave the meanes offered vntounto them, yea wrought in them by God, of vnfained repentance, whereby turning vntounto him from their ſinnes, and renewing their faith, which is the condition of the couenant, in the aſſurance that they are all pardoned in Chriſt, they may with peace and comfort proceed againe in their courſe of godlineſſe, as if they had neuer failed in it, nor gone aſtray. Neither doth the Lord onelyonly, as a gracious Father, prouide fit nouriſhment for his children, to preſerue them in their health and ſtrength; but like a skilfull and wiſe Phyſician, ſoueraigne medicines to recouer them when they are ſicke and weake; and not onelyonly affoordeth vntounto them meanes to keepe them whole and ſound, but the precious Balme of Gilead, the blood of Chriſt, applyed by faith; and the ſalue of all ſores of ſinne, vnfained repentance, to heale them, when in the ſpirituall conflict they are hurt and wounded. The which he proudeth for them, and (as it were) putteth it into their hands by his earneſt exhortations, O Iſrael, turne vntounto the Lord thy God, for thou haſt falne by thine iniquity. Take Hoſ. 14. 1, 2.vntounto you words, and turne to the Lord; Say vntounto him, Take away all iniquity, and receiue vsus graciouſly. And againe; As I liue, ſaith the Lord God, I hauehave Ezek. 33. 11.no pleaſure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turne from his way and liue. Turne ye, turne ye from your euill wayes, for why will ye dye, yee houſe Ier. 8. 5, 6.of Iſrael? Yea, he is diſpleaſed with them, and ſharply reprooueth them, if they neglect this medicine when he offereth it vntounto them, that they may be cured: Why is this people ſlidden backe by a perpetual backſliding? they hold Ier. 31. 20.faſt deceit, they refuſe to returne; no man repented him of his wickedneſſe, ſaying, What hauehave I done, &c? And if thus they are not moued to returne, his bowels are troubled, and yearne with compaſſion, as the Prophet ſpeaketh; and he is ſorry that they ſorrow not, as wee ſee in the example of our Sauiour Chriſt, who wept ouer Ieruſalem, becauſe they would not make vſe Luk. 19. 41.of the acceptable Day whileſt it laſted, that they might repent, and ſo eſcape Gods imminent Iudgements. Yea, he doth not ſo leaue them, but effectually worketh, in the hearts of his faithfull and choſen Ones, this repentance Act. 5. 31.which he requireth: for he giueth repentance to the houſe of Iſrael: Ezek. 36. 26. Zach. 12. 10.he taketh away their ſtony hearts, and giueth them hearts of fleſh: hee powreth the Spirit of grace vponupon the houſe of Iudah, and cauſeth them to bewaile their ſinnes. The which may be vntounto vsus a ſingular incouragement in our Chriſtian courſe, when as wee are aſſured, that notwithſtanding our many frailties and infirmities, wee ſhall not be caſt off, and though we hauehave many foiles and fals, yet we ſhall not lie ſtill and periſh in our ſinnes; ſeeing the Lord giueth vntounto all his that feare and ſerue him, the grace of vnfained repentance, ſo as they riſe againe, and recouer their former eſtate of holineſſe, and withall his wonted grace and fauour, as though they had neuer ſinned, and with it their wonted peace of conſcience, and ioy in the Holy Ghoſt.
§. Sect. 8 Of the benefits which a godly life bringeth at the houre of death.
And theſe are the benefits which accompany a godly life, whileſt we continue in the world: the benefits which it bringeth, when by death we are to depart out of it, are alſo great and ineſtimable: For when all worldly bleſſings faile, and like miſerable comforters leaue and forſake vsus; when being in greateſt agony and diſtreſſe, wee ſtand in moſt neede of helpe, then the conſolations which it bringeth, doe exceedingly cheere and refreſh vsus. For the good Spirit of God, which hath ruled and guided vsus throughout the whole courſe of our liues, doth not leaue and forſake vsus at the houre of death, but then eſpecially doth accompany and aſſiſt vsus, and the more our afflictions and griefes abound, the more it cauſeth our conſolations to abound alſo. For it ſealeth in our hearts and conſciences, the aſſurance of the pardon and remiſſion of all our ſinnes, and ſaith vntounto vsus, as ſometimes Chriſt to the ſicke of the palſie; Sonne, be of good comfort, thy ſinnes are Matth. 9. 2.forgiuen thee. It incourageth vsus againſt the feare of death, by aſſuring vsus, that it hath loſt its ſting, and therefore though like a ſerpent it ſtill hiſſe, yet it is not able to doe vsus any hurt. It cauſeth the beames of Gods louelove to ſhine cleerely in our hearts, by which they are ſo warmed and cheered, that the chill and cold terrours of death cannot daunt and diſmay vsus. It calleth to our remembrance our former care to ſerue and pleaſe God, and how we hauehave walked with him & before him, though not in legall perfection, yet with integrity and vprightneſſe Eſa. 38. 3.of heart, & how we hauehave done that which is good in Gods ſight. It witneſſeth with our conſciences, that wee hauehave beene faithfull Stewards, who hauehave well husbanded Gods talents intruſted vntounto vsus; and that our accounts are euen, ſo that we neede not feare now when we are called to a reckoning. Yea, it putteth into our hands a generall acquittance, ſealed with the blood of Chriſt, that wee may hauehave it in readineſſe, when we appeare before our Iudge. It telleth vsus, that now all our labours are ended, and that nothing remaineth, but to receiue our wages, and to keepe with God, his Saints and holy Angels a perpetuall Sabbath in all ioy and happineſſe; that now wee are ſafely paſſed thorow a ſea of danger, and are arriuing and entring into the heauenly Hauen of euerlaſting reſt; that we hauehave fought a good fight, and 2. Tim. 4 7. 8.finiſhed it with an happy victory, and that now nothing remaineth, but to receiue the Crowne of righteouſneſſe, which the Lord the righteous Iudge hath layde vp for vsus, and is now ready to ſet vponupon our heads with triumph and glory. Againe, a godly life changeth the nature of death, and of a curſe for ſinne, maketh it to become a great bleſſing; as being a meanes to free vsus from all euils, and to enter vsus into the fruition of the chiefeſt good; ſo that whoſoeuer with the Apoſtle hauehave led their liues in the true feare of God, may ſay with him; For to me to liue, is Phil. 1. 21.Chriſt; and to die, is gaine. For the death of the godly puts an end to all their troubles, that all teares may be wiped from their eyes. It cauſeth them Apoc. 21. 4.ceaſe to ſinne, which ſo long as they liue in the fleſh, hangeth vponupon them as an heauie burthen, and preſſeth out of them many a ſorrowfull ſigh and deepe grone. It bringeth with it a ioyfull reſt from all their labours, which in this life are ſo tedious and troubleſome, and putteth an end to their weariſome pilgrimage. It freeth them from all worldly miſeries, from pouerty and penurie, ſores and ſickneſſes, ſlanders and diſgraces, and bringeth with it heauenly plentie, and the riches of Gods Kingdome, perpetuall health & euerlaſting glory. It putteth an end to the ſpiritual conflict, and to all the aſſaults of our many, mighty and malicious enemies, ſo as they ſhall neuer more be able to diſturbe our peace. It ſeparateth vsus from the ſociety of wicked Pſal. 120. 5.worldlings, which whileſt wee liue, is ſo irkeſome and dangerous, and from participating with them either in their ſinnes or puniſhments. It ſecureth vsus from the euils to come, and acquitteth vsus from approching dangers. Finally, as it putteth an end to all our euils both of puniſhment and ſinne, ſo it ſerueth as an entrance into the full fruition of all good, and for a ſtraite gate, whereby we paſſe into heauenly happineſſe. All which conſiderations ſhould be effectuall reaſons to perſwade to the leading of a godly life, which is alwaies attended vponupon by ſuch a bleſſed death, that bringeth ſo many comforts with it, when all other comforts faile; and ſo many ioyes after it; of all which they depriue themſelues, who neglect Gods ſeruice, and ſpend their time and ſtrength in the eager purſuite of worldly vanities.
§. Sect. 9 Of the ineſtimable benefits which a godly life will bring in the world to come.
Finally, as a godly life is in this world profitable to all purpoſes, ſo is it moſt beneficiall in reſpect of the life to come. For thereby wee Rom. 8. 1. Apoc. 20. 6.are ſecured from that euerlaſting woe and miſery, prepared for all thoſe who liue and die in their ſinnes, ſeeing there is no condemnation to thoſe who are in Ieſus Chriſt, which walke not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit, and the ſecond death ſhall hauehave no power ouer them, who hauehave their part in the firſt reſurrection, to holineſſe and newneſſe of life. Secondly, we are aſſured hereby of heauenly happineſſe; For they that hauehave followed Matth. 19. 28.Chriſt in the regeneration, ſhall accompany him in glorie. They that hauehave liued like Gods children in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, as in this life they hauehave the adoption of ſonnes, and the Spirit of adoption, Rom. 8. 15.crying in their hearts Abba, Father, ſo ſhall they in the life to come, receiue from their Father their heauenly inheritance; whereas they who hauehave neglected theſe duties, can neither hauehave this hope here, nor that fruition hereafter, ſeeing without holineſſe no man ſhall ſee God. For 1. Ioh. 3. 2, 3. Heb. 12. 14.howſoeuer (as one ſaith) God made vsus without our ſelues, yet he will Auguſtine.not ſo ſaue vsus. But hauing giuen vsus a Being, reaſonable ſoules, and his Word, whereby he hath made vsus acquainted with his will, and required our conformity and obedience, he will hauehave vsus ioyne with him in working out our owne ſaluation, by performing thoſe duties Phil. 2. 12.which he hath preſcribed; and to walke in the way of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, which leadeth to euerlaſting happineſſe. So that though our ſeruice of God in holy duties be not the cauſe of eternall life and glorie, but the free mercies of God and merits of Chriſt, yet being the way which leadeth vntounto it, all may be aſſured that they ſhall attaine to heauenly happineſſe, who goe conſtantly in it; whereas contrariwiſe they who neuer goe in this way, can neuer come vntounto that glory vntounto which it leadeth. Finally, a godly life is moſt profitable in reſpect of the life to come, becauſe God graciouſly crowneth his owne graces in his children, and the fruits of them in their new obedience, with a proportionable meaſure of glory and happineſſe, ſo that they who hauehave in this life ſhined brighteſt in the light of grace Dan. 12. 3.and godlineſſe, ſhall in that life ſhine brighteſt in glorie and bleſſedneſſe. They who hauehave moſt glorified him by their holy conuerſation, he will impart vntounto them the greateſt meaſure of glory, and both make them capable, and repleniſh them with greateſt ioyes. So that if wee hauehave any care or deſire to be ſecured from endleſſe miſeries, or to be aſſured of eternall happineſſe, let vsus be moued hereby to ſerue and pleaſe God in the duties of an holy life; yea, ſeeing the Lord in ſome proportion fitteth his wages to our workes, and the rich rewards of his free grace, according to thoſe indeuours which he hath wrought in vsus of ſeeking his glory; let vsus, being tranſported with an holy ambition, deuote our ſelues wholy to his ſeruice, & not only labour to keep an ordinary pace with others, but ſtriuing for the richeſt prize, let vsus indeuour to out-ſtrip all that run with vsus in the race of godlines.