A Guide to Godliness, Book 3 · Chapter 8
CAP. VIII.
Of the fourth mayne daily duty, which is to arme our ſelues againſt all ſinne, and to deuote our ſelues wholly to Gods ſeruice.
§. Sect. 1 That we muſt neceſſarily arme our ſelues againſt all ſin, and the reaſons of it.
THe fourth mayne duty, daily to be performed, is to arme and ſtrengthen our ſelues daily againſt ſinne; and deuote our ſoules and bodies wholly to Gods ſeruice, in the performance of all Chriſtian duties which may bee pleaſing in his ſight. Concerning the former: It is moſt neceſſary that wee continually arme our ſelues againſt ſinne, and gather daily new ſtrength, to withſtand and mortifie our corruptions. Firſt, becauſe Satan like a roaring 1. Pet. 5. 8.Lyon, walketh continually about, ſeeking to deuoure vsus, laying at all times and in all places, his nets and ſnares of perdition, and many baites of worldly vanities, and ſeales of euill examples, to allure vsus to ſtoope and giuegive ouer our heauenly flight, that ſo he may catch and inſnare vsus to our deſtruction. Secondly, becauſe the world, as a ſtrong enemy, daily ioyneth with him, labouring one while with her ſmiles and fauours; her allurements and proffers of proſperity, to intice vsus to follow thoſe patternes and precedents of euill, which ſhe ſetteth before vsus; and another while with frownes and threats, afflictions and perſecutions, to thruſt vsus by mayne force into ſinne. Thirdly, becauſe we nouriſh continually a ſecret traytour in our boſomes, which is daily ready to betray vsus into their hands, euen our owne fleſh and corrupt nature, which is prone to all euill, and taketh delight in nothing more then in glutting it ſelfe with the pleaſures of ſinne. So that no ſooner doe we giuegive ouer fighting, but we are preſently foyled; no ſooner doe we deſiſt rowing and tugging againſt the ſtreame of our naturall corruptions, but they preſently carry vsus downe with a ſwift courſe, into ſome one or other ſinfull action. Fourthly, becauſe many are the wiles and deceits of ſinne, which will eaſily circumuent vsus, if wee doe not daily obſerue and labour to defeate them. One while they will pretend friendſhip, and that they will doe vsus good; or at leaſt, that they are innocent, and will not hurt vsus; and at another time neceſſity, that wee cannot liue without them, or if wee doe, a life no better then death, vncheerefull and vncomfortable. Sometime they will pleade cuſtome and preſcription, which entreth them into poſſeſſion (as it were) by courſe of Law. And if we can anſwere this, they will offer themſelues like gheſts, crauing but one nights lodging, with promiſe then to be gone: but afterwards when they are admitted, either by force take poſſeſſion, or elſe vponupon further acquaintance and better liking, deſire to make longer abode. Laſtly, becauſe the occaſions of ſinne daily are many, as the obiects of vnlawfull pleaſures, which bewitch vsus with their alluring tunes, and of ſinfull gaine and profit, which like golden chaines, draw vsus into wicked courſes; and of pride and vaine-glory, which eaſily perſwade vsus, who are naturally ambitious, to vſe any meanes which may further our aduancement. VntoUnto which, wee may adde the daily occaſions of vniuſt anger, thruſting vsus on to reuenge; of enuy or diſdaine; of wantonneſſe and vncleanneſſe; of vaine, vnſauoury, and rotten communication, through ſinfull ſociety and wicked company, and innumerable ſuch others; all which will powerfully draw vsus to ſinne, if wee be not daily armed againſt it. In all which reſpects, it is moſt neceſſary that wee arme our ſelues, and make daily warre againſt all our ſinnes, eſpecially againſt thoſe which cleane faſteſt to our corrupt natures, and vntounto which we are moſt prone and apt to fall. Of which we may take the better and ſurer notice, if wee conſider what they were, which before our conuerſion did moſt raigne and rule in vsus, ſeeing theſe in the ſtate of regeneration, though they be depoſed from their regency, yet will, of all others be moſt hardly expelled; or being in ſome meaſure driuen out, yet out of their experience of their former victories, will conceiue hope of repoſſeſſing their wonted hold, and to this end will lurke and honer about vsus, that they may ſpie opportunity of re-entring, like Crowes and other birds of prey, which are beaten off a field, where they hauehave long vſed to feede. As alſo if we obſerue what are thoſe ſinnes which our corruption moſt liketh and longeth after, and is moſt ready to extenuate and excuſe, when we are touched and reprooued for them, making them light and veniall, by gilding them ouer with vaine, friuolous, or falſe pretences. And finally, wee may know them by our owne lamentable experience, when as we carefully obſerue what ſinnes moſt diſtract vsus in all good exerciſes, and hinder our growth in godlineſſe; and what they bee, into which, through frailty we moſt often fall, and whereby we hauehave beene moſt ouertaken. And when wee hauehave by theſe meanes taken notice of them, we muſt with moſt diligence and reſolution arme our ſelues againſt them; ſeeing by them wee hauehave moſt diſhonoured God, and wounded our owne conſciences, and are in greateſt danger to be ouercome, and led captiue to hell and deſtruction, being like bordering enemies, which hauehave a ſtrong party in our ſelues, and hauehave beſt opportunity to take all aduantages againſt vsus.
§. Sect. 2 Of the meanes to work in our hearts a true hatred of ſin.
Now the meanes whereby we may be armed againſt all ſinnes in generall, and theſe in particular, are many. The firſt and principall, is to worke our hearts to a deadly and vnreconcilable hatred againſt them, by meditating of the infinite Maieſty and goodneſſe of God, againſt whom they are committed, how great and glorious he is in himſelfe, and how good and gracious vntounto vsus, who hath giuen vsus all the good things which wee inioy or hope for, yea his chiefeſt Iewell, his beſt beloued Sonne to die for vsus: By conſidering that it is aboue all things moſt hatefull and diſpleaſing vntounto God, and maketh all creatures in whom it is moſt odious, though neuer ſo much beloued of him; As we ſee in the example of the reiected Iewes; Adam caſt out of Paradiſe, the Sonne of God himſelfe, who bearing our ſinnes, did beare all his Fathers wrath, and could not bee reconciled, till by his ſufferings he had made full ſatisfaction to his Iuſtice. That it is moſt haynous and capitall, being committed againſt ſo infinite a Maieſty, as appeareth by thoſe dreadfull and eternall puniſhments, which Gods righteous iudgement inflicteth on thoſe that commit it, in this world and the world to come, that it is the greateſt folly in the world, hazarding the eternall ſaluation of our moſt precious ſoules, which are of more worth then many Monarchies, and plunging them into hell and euerlaſting deſtruction, for the momentany and vncertaine fruition of earthly vanities. That it pierced the Lord of life, and nailed him to the Croſſe, cauſing him to be condemned that came to ſaue vsus, and to be put to a ſhamefull death, who came to giuegive vntounto vsus euerlaſting life. That the deepe dye of it ſo ſtained our ſoules, that nothing could waſh away the filthy ſpots that it left behind it, but the precious blood of Chriſt. That it vexeth and grieueth the good Spirit of God dwelling in vsus, & by defiling our bodies and ſoules which are his Temples, doth make him weary of his lodging. That aboue all things it delighteth the deuill, as being the child and darling of this helliſh parent; and maketh vsus to become fit roomes for him to reuell in, and to paſſe his time with moſt delight. Let vsus conſider of the manifold euils which it cauſeth vntounto vsus, both priuatiue and poſitiue, in this life and in the life to come. For it depriueth vsus of all good, and bringeth with it all euill. It ſeparateth betweene our God and vsus, and turneth the greateſt louelove into the moſt dangerous enmity. It defaceth his Image in vsus, and ſtampeth vponupon vsus the image of the deuill. It fruſtrateth the end of our creation, which was, to glorifie God, by our worſhipping and ſeruing him, yea of our Redemption by Chriſt, if wee liue and die in it without repentance. It caſteth vsus (like out-lawes) out of Gods protection, and maketh vsus (like ſlaues) ſubiect to the tyranny of Satan. It is the cauſe of all the euils of puniſhment, which are inflicted vponupon the creatures in this life and the life to come. It blindeth the minde, and hardeneth the heart, debarreth vsus of all ſweete communion with God, and depriueth vsus of the ineſtimable comforts of his holy Spirit. It weakeneth our faith, and woundeth our conſcience, taketh away all inward peace, and filleth our hearts with ſhame and ſorrow, and our faces with bluſhing, or (which is worſe) with impudency. It depriueth vsus of Gods eternall and moſt comfortable preſence, and of the ioyes of his heauenly Kingdome, and plungeth vsus headlong into hell and deſtruction. Finally, let vsus adde vntounto theſe, whatſoeuer other euils we can imagine, and then conclude, that ſinne, as the curſed mother of them all, hath bred them in her helliſh wombe.
§. Sect. 3 Of the meanes whereby we may be ſtrengthened againſt ſinne.
And when by theſe meditations wee hauehave wrought our hearts vntounto a true hatred of all ſinne; there are other meanes to be vſed of vsus, that wee may be ſtrongly armed againſt it. As firſt, that wee doe thorowout the whole day entertaine and nouriſh good and holy deſires, and firme and conſtant reſolutions, that we will reſiſt and withſtand it, in what manner or forme ſo euer it ſhall ſet vponupon vsus. For nothing will bring more eaſie and aſſured victory, then Chriſtian courage and reſolution, to fight and ſtriue againſt it, grounded not on our owne ſtrength, but vponupon the power and promiſes of God, and that we will let paſſe no good meanes vnaſſayed whereby we may ouercome. Secondly, wee muſt keepe a daily and continuall Pro. 4. 23. Heb. 3. 13.watch ouer our ſelues, and eſpecially ouer our hearts, that wee be not ſurpriſed on a ſudden, nor hardened or hartened in any wicked courſe, through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne; of which, we ſhall hauehave occaſion to ſpeake more fully heereafter. Thirdly, we muſt be no leſſe carefull in flying all occaſions, inducements, and prouocations vntounto ſinne, then the ſinfull acts themſelues; for if we wilfully caſt our ſelues into theſe tentations, it is iuſt with God to deliuer vsus vntounto euill. Fourthly, we muſt make conſcience of committing of the leaſt ſinnes, which being admitted, will make roome for the greateſt; and withſtand ſinnes in the firſt degrees, as ſoone as they are ſuggeſted by the deuill, the world, or our owne fleſh; caſting out this helliſh wild-fire, before it hath by the leaſt abode inflamed our concupiſcence, or before this ſeede of impiety hath gotten any warmth or growth. Fifthly, we muſt be ſo bold and valorous in Gods aſſiſtance, as that in the meane time we be ſuſpicious and fearefull, in reſpect of our owne weakeneſſe and frailty, and the might and malice of our innumerable Pro. 28. 13. 1. Cor. 10. 12. Phil. 2. 13.enemies, taking good heede, whileſt we ſtand, of falling, and working out our ſaluation with feare and trembling. Sixthly, wee muſt daily walke with God, and carry our ſelues continually as in his ſight and preſence, who not onelyonly taketh notice of all our actions, but alſo will cauſe vsus one day to giuegive a ſtrict account of them, either to reward them Gen. 5. 24. Gen. 17. 1. 2. Cor. 5. 10.graciouſly, if they bee good; or to puniſh them ſeuerely, if they be euill. Laſtly, let vsus daily and continually reſigne our ſelues ouer into the hands of God, who is alone able to deliuer vsus from all euill, and craue inſtantly his protection from all enemies, and the direction of his holy Spirit, that by the good guide thereof, we may thorowout the whole day be preſerued and kept in the way of righteouſneſſe and holineſſe, and from erring and going aſtray in the by-paths of ſinne.
§. Sect. 4 That wee muſt imbrace all vertues and Chriſtian duties.
And as we are thus daily to arme our ſelues againſt ſinne; ſo are wee conſtantly and continually to deſire and reſolue in our hearts, that we will imbrace all vertue, and performe all Chriſtian duties, both vntounto God, our neighbours and our ſelues, thorowout the whole day, not thinking any grace or good duty ſo ſmall, that it may be neglected, or ſo difficult and of ſuch an high nature, that it may not be attempted and ſought after. Neither muſt we content our ſelues to take the occaſions of well-doing, when they are offred & thruſt vponupon vsus, but we muſt exerciſe our minds, by ſtudying and aduiſing how we may get & gaine the beſt opportunities of doing moſt good, both for the aduancement of Gods glory, and our owne and our neighbours good. But eſpecially wee muſt ſet our ſelues with moſt earneſt ſtudy, and ſerious diligence to attaine vntounto, and adorne our ſoules with thoſe graces, wherein they are moſt defectiue, and to performe thoſe duties which our conſciences tell vsus that wee hauehave in time paſt moſt neglected, not becauſe they were in their owne nature leſſe excellent, profitable, or neceſſary (for ſo when time and opportunity will not ſuffer vsus to performe all, we may omit lawfully thoſe duties which are of leaſt vſe and importance) but becauſe our corrupt natures being moſt auerſe vntounto them, we finde them moſt difficult and vnpleaſant vntounto vsus. For ſo ſhall we receiue a double benefit, not onelyonly doing that which is good, but alſo in doing it, profit daily in the denying of our ſelues and our owne wils, in the mortifying of our corrupt nature, in that wherein it is moſt ſtrong and rebellious, and in ſtrengthening our regenerate part and new man, in that wherein it is moſt weake and defectiue. And if wee would thus daily inlarge our deſires, and ſtrengthen our reſolutions, to the imbracing and practiſing of all vertuous actions and good duties, we ſhould receiue ſingular profit by it. For we ſhould not ſo eaſily as we doe, let ſlip the occaſions of well doing, but take hold of the opportunity when it is offered; we ſhould not be ſo faint-hearted, and weake-handed in good duties, nor ſo eaſily daunted and diſcouraged in them, but ſhould become ſtrong and valorous, if we would thus daily confirme and ſtrengthen our hearts and hands, by theſe good reſolutions, that we will let paſſe no opportunity of performing thoſe Chriſtian duties which God requireth of vsus. Finally, notwithſtanding our many frailties and infirmities in our beſt actions, and ſlips and falls into ſinne, we ſhould be accepted of God through Chriſt, in this Euangelicall obedience, as though it were free from all imperfection; ſeeing he reſpecteth more our hearts then our hands, and our reſolutions and indeuours, more then our abilities and performances.