A Guide to Godliness, Book 4 · Chapter 9
CAP. IX.
Reaſons which may mooue vsus to be conſtant in all Chriſtian duties of a godly life, and the meanes of it.
§. Sect. 1 That conſtancie is an inſeparable companion of integrity.
ANd thus we ſee what that conſtancie which is required in the duties of a godly life, and the vices which wee are to ſhunne as oppoſite vntounto it. The arguments which may mooue vsus to this conſtancie, are many, ſome whereof I will briefly touch. The firſt reaſon is, becauſe it is an inſeparable companion of integrity and vprightneſſe of heart; For if in ſincerity and truth wee performe ſeruice vntounto God, out of our louelove and obedience to his will, then theſe motiues alwayes remayning, will make vsus conſtant in doing of it. Whereas if in hypocriſie we formally performe any duties, being mooued thereunto by worldly reſpects, then doth our obedience laſt no longer then they laſt, and as they are variable and ſubiect to many changes, ſo ſhall wee likewiſe change with them; according to that of the Apoſtle Iames; A double minded man is vnſtable in all his wayes. Secondly, if we be Iam. 1. 8.not conſtant in the duties of a godly life, all the paines which wee take by fits will be ſpent in vaine; ſeeing we ſhall vndoe that one day which wee did the day before, and like fooliſh builders, one while ſetting vp, and another while pulling downe, we ſhall not be edified in our faith and ſanctification, and after much time ſpent, bee neuer the neerer the finiſhing of our worke. For though at ſome times we row neuer ſo ſtrongly againſt the tyde and ſtreame of our corruption, yet when wee intermit our labour, and giuegive our ſelues to ſloth and negligence, they will carry vsus downe againe as farre from the Hauen of our hopes, as we were at the beginning. Of which, we hauehave lamentable experience in many ancient profeſſors, who through this inconſtancie in religious duties, ſtand at a ſtay (like dwarſes, whoſe age brings no growth) neither increaſing in knowledge, faith, and other ſauing graces, nor in bringing foorth of the fruits of them in their liues and conuerſation. If therefore wee would ſpend our paines to any purpoſe, let vsus not onelyonly begin well, but continue the worke of our ſanctification, till we hauehave perfected our holineſſe in the feare of God, as the Apoſtle 2. Cor. 7. 1.exhorteth. If we would be true Nazarites conſecrated to Gods ſeruice, we muſt not be holy by fits, but fulfill the dayes of our ſanctification, and ſeparating Num. 6. 5, 8.our ſelues from all ſinfull pollution, we muſt be holy to the Lord. For as in legall purifications, though a man obſerued neuer ſo ſtrictly ſome Num. 19. 11, 12.dayes allotted to his clenſing, yet if hee failed in any one, though it were the very laſt, and defiled himſelfe with any legall pollution, all his former labour was ſpent in vaine, and the worke was new to begin againe: ſo is it alſo in our ſpirituall purifying, and in our ſanctifying and conſecrating our ſelues to Gods worſhip and ſeruice. Thirdly, the benefits which ariſe from this conſtancie, may perſwade vsus to imbrace it; for by continuance in Ioh. 8. 31.the Word of Chriſt, we approoue our ſelues to be his Diſciples indeed. Wee ſhall with much eaſe performe all Chriſtian duties, when by our conſtancie we hauehave brought our ſelues to an habit. And as all things which are put into a ſtate of motion, doe continue moouing with great facility and little helpe; and if it be intermitted, requireth much more ſtrength and paines to begin it againe, then it would hauehave required to hauehave continued it in that ſtate; ſo if we be continually inured to the duties of a godly life, they will be eaſie and familiar vntounto vsus whileſt this ſpirituall motion continueth, but if it be broken off and intermitted, it is a new worke to begin againe, and will not be renewed to the former ſtate, without much indeuour and great difficulty. It is eaſie to keepe that armour bright which is daily vſed, but vſe it onelyonly by ſome fits, and hang it by the walls till it be ruſty, and it cannot, without much labour in skowring it, be reſtored againe to its former brightneſſe. If the Inſtrument be daily played vponupon, it is eaſily kept in tune by the skilfull Muſician, but let it but a while be neglected & caſt in a corner, the ſtrings and frets breake, and the bridge flyeth off, and no ſmall labour is required to bring it into order. And thus alſo it is in ſpirituall things, which are kept in an eaſie and orderly courſe, with one halfe of the paines, if wee continue them with a ſettled conſtancie. Finally, this conſtancy in holy duties giueth vsus aſſurance of all Gods promiſes, according to that of the Apoſtle; We are made partakers of Chriſt, if we hold the beginning Heb. 3. 14.of our confidence ſtedfaſt vntounto the end; and that couenant made with Dauid in the behalfe of his ſonne Salomon: I will eſtabliſh his Kingdome for euer, 1. Chro. 28. 7.if he be conſtant to doe my Commandements and my iudgements as at this day: and by Gods gracious and free promiſe giueth vsus iuſt title to ſpirituall and heauenly rewards: For he will render to eueryevery man according to his deeds. To Rom. 2. 6, 7.them who by patient continuance in well-doing ſeeke for glory, and honour, and immortality; eternall life, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh.
§. Sect. 2 The manifold euils which accompany vnconſtancy in good duties.
Laſtly, the manifold euils which are cauſed by vnconſtancy, may effectually moue vsus to be conſtant in all good duties. For this various and often changing of our ſpirituall eſtate vponupon eueryevery ſlight occaſion, maketh our ſeruice odious vntounto God, and all our actions vncleane in his ſight. The which is implyed in the ceremoniall Law, wherein the Chamelion was forbidden, among the beaſts which were vncleane, whoſe property is to hold conſtantly no colour, but changeth as the things are changed which lye next vntounto it. Secondly, it hindreth our growth in grace, and maketh all the good meanes which we vſe to this purpoſe, vnprofitable vntounto vsus. It diſableth vsus in our ſpirituall race, from comming to the goale, and getting the garland, and cauſeth vsus to be preuented with their ſpeed, who ſet out long after vsus. It maketh vsus vnfit for all good duties, and not only more backward vntounto them by our intermiſſion, but alſo more vnable to performe when we doe vndertake them. For when we hauehave for a time neglected prayer, meditation, hearing the Word, and ſuch like ſpirituall exerciſes; our deceitfull hearts, after they are broken looſe out of the bonds of Gods feare, and hauehave taſted the carnall ſweetneſſe of this ſlothfull liberty, are hardly recalled & recouered; and not without much paines reduced into order, nor well ſettled and compoſed to religious duties. It hindreth vsus in our ſpirituall iourney towards our heauenly home; and whereas thoſe who are conſtant in their trauell, and ridde continually ſome part of the way, come ſeaſonably and ſurely to their iourneys end, though they ſeeme to goe a ſlow pace; theſe who goe on by fits and ſpurts, tire themſelues in the mid way, and though ſometimes they ſeeme to goe a gallop, yet their many intermiſſions, and often ſtayes make them to bee benighted, and to giuegive ouer their trauell before they come to their iournies end. Finally, it greatly indangereth vsus vntounto finall apoſtaſie, for leauing thoſe good duties vndone, which our conſciences approuing, call vponupon vsus to performe, and by this negligence running into tentation, it is iuſt with God to leaue vsus in it, and to withdraw his grace, which onelyonly giueth vntounto vsus both will and ability for the well performing of any good duty. Wherof it commeth to paſſe, that many who intend at the firſt but to play the truants, and to intermit their ſtudies for a time, that they may take their liberty and pleaſure, and then to come vntounto Chriſts ſchoole againe, are afterward partly ſo poſſeſſed with feare and ſhame of their Maſters preſence, and partly ſo bewitched with their carnall delights, that they runne quite away, and neuer returne. And when they hauehave thus farre giuen place to the diuels tentations, and the ſluggiſh ſloth of their ſinfull fleſh, that they intermit all ſpiritual exerciſes, as prayer, hearing the Word, reading, meditation, that they may the more thorowly intend their worldly profits or delights, yet with a purpoſe to returne vntounto them againe when theſe things are diſpatched; they are more and more inſnared in Satans nets of perdition, into which they hauehave caſt themſelues, and the longer they forbeare, the leſſe appetite they hauehave to religious duties. Laſtly, this vnconſtancy maketh vsus farre worſe in the ſeruice of God, then the ſonnes of Belial are in the ſeruice of the diuell, and of the world. For they, for the vncertaine and baſe wages of earthly trifles, are conſtant in thoſe workes of darkeneſſe wherein they imploy them, toyling themſelues, and ſpending their ſtrength in their ſeruile drudgery night and day, though it bee to the euerlaſting damnation both of their bodies and ſoules: whereas theſe who profeſſe themſelues the ſeruants of God, ſerue him negligently by fits and ſtarts, one while taking a little paines in ſpirituall exerciſes, and another while intermitting their labours, and ſpending their time in ſloth and idleneſſe, although he incourageth them to doe him faithfull and conſtant ſeruice, with the preſent pay of all temporall bleſſings, and with the aſſured hope of future happineſſe.
§. Sect. 3 Of the meanes whereby we may be inabled to ſerue God conſtantly in the duties of a godly life.
And theſe are the reaſons which may moue vsus to conſtancy in the duties of Gods ſeruice. In the next place let vsus conſider of ſome meanes which may inable vsus vntounto it. The firſt meanes is, often and ſeriouſly to conſider of Gods manifold mercies and rich rewards, both in this life and the life to come, which he hath faithfully promiſed vntounto all thoſe who doe him diligent and conſtant ſeruice. For in this world nothing ſhall be wanting to thoſe that ſerue and feare him; for if he prouideth ſo liberally euen for ſtrangers and enemies; then will he much more for thoſe of his owne family, and not ſuffer them to want any thing which is good. He wil ſhine vponupon them with the bright beames of his face and fauour, and glad their hearts with the ioy of his countenance. Hee will preſerue them from all dangers, and mightily defend them from the malice and power of all their enemies. He will watch ouer them with his prouidence to doe them good, and will hauehave them alwayes at his finding, who hath all things in heauen and erth to beſtow vponupon thē. He will inrich them with the chiefe treaſures of his ſpirituall graces; and hereafter giuegive them the poſſeſſion and fruition of heauenly happineſſe. So that though wee ſhould not intermit our paines in the duties of his ſeruice for the ſpace of an houre in the whole courſe of our liues; yet may we ſay of our doings, as the Apoſtle of our ſuffrings, The ſeruice of this preſent life is not worthy the glory Rom. 8. 18.which ſhall be reuealed; for that is ſhort and momentany, weake and imperfect, but ſhall be rewarded with a farre more excellent and eternall waight of glory. The ſecond meanes of conſtancy is, to take notice, and to hauehave a Second meanes.true ſenſe of our frailty and infirmity, our naturall mutability and vnconſtancy, our dulneſſe and wearineſſe in all good duties, that ſo wee may keepe a narrow watch ouer our ſelues, and not giuegive way to our ſpirituall ſloth when it creepeth vponupon vsus, and moueth vsus to intermit the duties of a godly life. We muſt not be proud and preſumptuous of our ſtrength, as though it were in our power to leaue and reſume our worke when wee pleaſe; but be humbled in the ſight and ſence of our backwardneſſe and wearineſſe in holy duties; and as the Apoſtle exhorteth, wee muſt not bee Rom. 11. 20. 1. Cor. 10. 12. Phil. 2. 12. Prou. 28. 14.high minded, but feare: whileſt we ſeeme to ſtand, we muſt take heed of falling, and worke out our ſaluation with feare and trembling. For, bleſſed is hee which thus ſeareth alwayes; ſeeing it will make him carefull to keepe his ſpirituall watch, that he doe not neglect or intermit any good duty which may ſtrengthen his faith in the aſſurance of his ſaluation. The third meanes is, Third meanes.that we indeuour to worke our hearts to the louelove, not only of God, which will make all our labours light which wee take in ſeruing him whom our ſoules louelove, but alſo of the ſpirituall duties themſelues, by meditating often vponupon their excellency, profit and neceſſity aboue all worldly imployments. For what the ſoule loueth, in that it reſteth with vnwearied delight, and ſo pleaſeth it ſelfe in the fruition of it, that it admitteth no thought of change. The fourth meanes is, to keepe our ſelues in acquaintance with all Fourth meanes.good duties, that they grow not ſtrange vntounto vsus, and that wee giuegive no place to ſloth, but keep our ſelues in continuall exerciſe, which will inable vsus to hold out with conſtancy. For the more we doe them, the more eaſie ſhall we finde them, and our ſelues more ſtrong and able to continue in them. And as runners in a race doe daily vſe exerciſe to keepe themſelues in breath, and that they may be more able and actiue to performe it, and hold out when they runne for the Garland: whereas if they ſhould intermit their diligence, and giuegive themſelues to eaſe and ſloth, it would make them ſhort-winded, and vnable to continue when they ſtriue for the maſtery: ſo in this ſpirituall race, the more we exerciſe our ſelues in Chriſtian duties, the better able we are to continue in them without fainting or wearineſſe; and the leſſe paines we take, the ſooner we are out of breath, and leſſe able to continue in our courſe. The fifth meanes is, that ſeeing Fifth meanes.we are naturally glutted with ſaciety in the continuall vſe of the ſame thing, and delighted with ſome variety and change, wee doe not wholly tire our ſelues in any one good exerciſe; but ſeeing God hath giuen vntounto vsus variety and choyce of many Chriſtian and religious duties, and will not be ſerued by one of them alone, but hath allotted vntounto eueryevery one of them their due time and ſeaſon: Therefore auoyding that vnconſtant leuity before ſpoken of, ſhifting and changing, before wee hauehave brought the duty in hand to ſome good effect, that we may receiue ſome fruit and benefit by it, it is profitable for the inabling vsus to this conſtancy in Gods ſeruice, when we feele our ſelues weary of one good duty, to betake our ſelues to another; as from praying, to reading; from hearing, to meditating or conferring; from religious exerciſes, to the ciuill duties of our callings; and when we feele our ſpirits ſpent, our minds dulled, and bodies wearied with them both, or either of them, to refreſh our ſelues with honeſt and moderate recreations: whereby wee ſhall not onelyonly preſerue our ſtrength, that after one duty done, wee may be more fit to performe another, but alſo returne vntounto the ſame duty againe in ſeaſonable time with a better ſtomake, when as we left it with ſome appetite, and were not glutted with any lothing ſaciety. The laſt meanes of conſtancy is, that we Sixth meanes.doe all good duties in due time and order: For theſe are inſeparable companions, and mutuall helpes one to another: ſo the Apoſtle ſaith, that he reioyced in the Coloſſians, beholding their order, and the ſtedfaſtneſſe of their Col. 2. 5. 1. Cor. 14. 33, 40faith; and exhorteth the Corinthians to the ſame practice, that all things ſhould be done decently and in order in the ſeruice of God, becauſe hee was not a God of confuſion, but of order and peace. And this will much further vsus in conſtancy, ſeeing thoſe things continue longeſt, which hauehave an orderly proceeding: as we ſee in the celeſtiall bodies, which as they much excell all earthly things in their admirable order, ſo alſo in the conſtancy of their motion. That therefore wee may be alike conſtant in all our courſes of Chriſtianity, let vsus be like them alſo in their orderly proceeding, and beginning the day with ſpiritual exerciſes, as before hath bin ſhewed, and ſo proceeding to ciuil duties, let vsus hold on in the ſame tenour, neither confuſedly intermixing them one with another, nor vponupon eueryevery ſlight occaſion changing our courſe. And if we conſtantly obſerue this order, this order will be a notable meanes to preſerue our conſtancy.