A Guide to Godliness, Book 6 · Chapter 1
CAP. I.
Of thoſe impediments which are caſt into our way, to hinder vsus in the duties of a godly life, by Satan the Arch-enemie of our ſaluation.
§. Sect. 1 That Satan bendeth all his forces againſt vsus, to hinder vsus in the duties of a godly life.
HAuing ſpoken of the duties of a godly life, and of the meanes whereby we may be inabled to performe them; it now followeth, according to the order which we hauehave propounded in the beginning of this Treatiſe, that we in the laſt place ſet downe the impediments, which vſually hinder vsus from entring into this Chriſtian courſe, and from proceeding, when we hauehave reſolued to begin and go forward in it. For as there is nothing excellent & of great moment, wherein we meete not with ſome mighty oppoſition and notable hinderances, which, if we be not well armed and prepared, will diſcourage vsus from attempting it, or diſable vsus in atchieuing it: ſo nothing in the world findeth more lets and diſcouragements, then our entrance into the courſe of Chriſtianity, and our progreſſe in the wayes of godlineſſe. For whereas all the promiſes of this life, and the life to come, doe infallibly belong vntounto all thoſe who ſerue the Lord in the duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe (from whence there ariſeth an impoſſibility that they ſhould miſcarry, who conſcionably performe them, or not attaine vntounto euerlaſting happineſſe, who walke conſtantly in the way that leadeth vntounto it) hereof it is, that the enemies of our ſaluation bend all their might and malice, to keepe vsus from entring into this way, or to diuert vsus out of it, if wee hauehave already begun to runne this race. Theſe enemies are the deuill (who is the chiefe and principall) the world and the fleſh, which are his two chiefe captaines that vnderunder their conduct lead all his forces. How mighty and dangerous theſe enemies are, I hauehave Chriſtian Warfare.ſhewed at large in another place; onelyonly let it here ſuffice to know, that the great red Dragon, as he is ready to ſpit out his venome againſt vsus at all times and vponupon all occaſions, that he may ſhew his malice and ſpite againſt God by ſeeking our deſtruction, who were created according to his Image; ſo he diſgorgeth againſt vsus whole flouds of helliſh poiſon, when we ſet our ſelues to ſerue God in the duties of a godly life, that hee may, by making our wayes ſlippery, cauſe vsus to fall. And though he ſuffer vsus quietly to goe on in our owne wayes which leade to perdition, without ſtoppe or checke, yea laboureth all he can to make them eaſie and pleaſant to our corrupt fleſh; yet when wee ſet our face towards the heauenly Canaan, hee purſueth vsus with all malice and fury, encountreth vsus with an huge hoſt of helliſh tentations, and ſtoppeth our courſe with innumerable impediments and diſcouragements, which he caſteth in our way, that wee may returne againe into the Egyptian ſlauery, and glut our ſelues with ſenſuall and ſinfull pleaſures. Yea, no ſooner doe wee conceiue a good thought or godly motion, but hee watcheth vsus that he may take al opportunities of killing it in the wombe, and to make it an abortiue Apoc. 12. 4.birth, or of ſtrangling it as ſoone as it is borne and ſeeth the light, that ſo he may diſharten vsus by many diſcouragements, from proceeding in well doing. Let vsus know, that as hee is a malicious Dragon, ſo a ſtrong and mighty Lyon, who ſtill ſtandeth in our way, armed with ſufficient power to deſtroy and deuoure vsus, if wee were left to his furie. That hee is a crafty old Serpent, excelling in naturall ſubtilty, and through long and great experience, able by a thouſand cunning deuices to ſupplant and ſtop vsus in the wayes of godlineſſe, being well able through his deepe policy, to vſe and imploy all his forces for his beſt aduantage. Finally, that hee is moſt vigilant and neuer ſleepeth, moſt diligent and neuer reſteth, but night and day goeth about ſeeking to deuoure vsus, by enticing 1. Pet. 5. 8.vsus to come within the reach of his cruell pawes, whilſt wee wander and goe aſtray out of the wayes of Godlineſſe, and ſo are out of the protection of our great and gracious Shepheard.
§. Sect. 2 How we may remoue the former impediments.
But that this may not diſcourage vsus from entring into, and proceeding in the waies of godlineſſe, let vsus conſider, that whilſt wee ſtudy and indeuour to ſerue and pleaſe God in all holy and Chriſtian duties, wee are in his grace and fauour, and vnderunder his protection, and hauing him on our ſide, we neede not to feare, though Satan and all the power of hell bandy themſelues againſt vsus. And therefore let vsus encourage our ſelues againſt the malice of the deuill, by ſetting againſt it Gods infinite and ineſtimable louelove towards all that feare and ſerue Rom. 8. 31.him, which is more powerfull to ſaue and defend vsus, then Satans malice to hurt and deſtroy vsus. Let vsus remember, that the Lord hath loued Ier. 31. 3.vsus with an euerlaſting louelove, yea ſo loued vsus, that he hath giuen vntounto vsus his only begotten and dearly beloued Sonne to the death, that we thereby Ioh. 3. 16.might attaine to life and happineſſe. That he thus loued vsus when wee Rom. 5. 8, 10.were ſtrangers and enemies, and out of this ineſtimable louelove redeemed vsus out of the hands of all our ſpirituall enemies, that we might ſerue him in holineſſe and righteouſneſſe, and therfore much more will this louelove moue him to ſaue and deliuer vsus from their malice and fury, when we hauehave wholy conſecrated our ſelues to his worſhip and ſeruice. That this louelove maketh him ſo iealous of our ſafety, that hee who toucheth vsus, Zach. 2. 8.toucheth the apple of his eye; and therefore as well will he ſuffer Satans malice to impeach his own Maieſtie, as to hurt vsus who are ſo deare vntounto him. And though he hath ſuch a ſpight and ſpleene againſt vsus, that he willeth and deſireth aboue all things, that God might be diſhonoured in our deſtruction, yet let vsus cheerefully go on in the waies of godlineſſe, ſeeing Gods Almightie and All-ruling will oppoſeth and ouerſwayeth his, and with no leſſe earneſtneſſe ſeeketh our preſeruation and ſaluation. According to that of our Sauiour; This is the will of him that ſent me, that eueryevery one which ſeeth the Sonne, and beleeueth on him, Joh. 6. 40.may hauehave euerlaſting life, and I will rayſe him vp at the laſt day.
§. Sect. 3 That Satans might & malice compared with our weakeneſſe and ſimplicity, muſt not diſcourage vsus, and the reaſons hereof.
Neither let Satans power conſiſting in his might and ſtrength, and in his craft and policy, compared with our weakeneſſe and ſimplicity, diſcourage vsus from ſeruing God in the duties of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. But when wee hauehave ſet our faces towards the heauenly Canaan, and are trauailing vntounto it in the wayes of godlineſſe, though wee ſee mountainous difficulties, impoſſible in reſpect of our owne ſtrength to be ouerpaſſed, on either hand, a ſea of troubles and dangers before vsus, and an huge hoſt of ſpirituall enemies armed at all points with helliſh tentations, purſuing vsus at our backes; let vsus goe on in our courſe without dread, ſeeing thoſe which are on our ſide are more, and more mighty, then thoſe which are againſt vsus. And firſt, when wee ſee our owne wants and weakeneſſes oppoſed with ſuch malicious might and helliſh furie, let not this diſmay vsus, ſeeing it is a great part of our ſtrength to ſee our weakeneſſe, and we are beſt armed, when wee ſee, acknowledge and bewaile our owne nakedneſſe. For this will make vsus more carefull to prouide and put on the ſprituall Armour, eſpecially the ſhield of faith, and the ſword of the Spirit, whereby we ſhall bee enabled to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one, and to ſtand faſt and Eph. 6. 16.firme againſt all his tentations in the euill day, wherewith if wee be thorowly armed, we can neuer be foiled. Or if through our frailties and infirmities, we finde herein many wants and imperfections, this muſt not diſcourage vsus, ſeeing our armour hath not ſo much ſufficiency to defend vsus in its own ſtrength, as from the Author that made it, and gaue it for our vſe, who being Almighty, to make good his owne worke, and to be of high proofe againſt all tentations, will neuer ſuffer thoſe to be vanquiſhed, who are of his arming, but will manifeſt his power in their infirmities, and glorify himſelfe in their victory. Againe, the ſight and ſenſe of our weakeneſſe, and our enemies power, muſt not ſo diſmay vsus, as that wee ſhould deſiſt in our courſe, but driue vsus vntounto the God of our ſtrength, crying with Moſes vntounto him for helpe and deliuerance, when we are purſued by our ſpirituall enemies. Exod. 14. 15.And acknowledging with Aſa our owne impotency to reſiſt them, 2. Chro. 14. 11.let vsus make it our ground, to implore Gods helpe. Let vsus bee as children in the hand of our heauenly Father, and the more we finde and feele our owne weakeneſſe and proneneſſe to fall, let vsus take ſo much the ſurer hold of him by a liuely faith, and implore his helpe with the more feruency, who is able and willing to ſupport vsus, and by the aſſiſtance of his holy Spirit to doe all our workes for vsus, as the Prophet Eſa. 26. 12.ſpeaketh. Finally, when we are moſt weake in our ſelues, this is no hinderance vntounto vsus, but that wee may be ſo ſtrong in the Lord and in Ephe. 6. 10.the power of his might, as that we may bee able to withſtand and ouercome all Satans tentations, whereby he laboureth to hinder vsus in the wayes of godlineſſe. For though this ſtrong armed man is able to keepe in ſafety all that hee poſſeſſeth, againſt weaker oppoſition, yet God, who is ſtronger then he, is able to diſarme him, and to ſet vsus at Luk. 11. 22.liberty from vnderunder his tyranny. Though our aduerſarie bee mighty, yet our Sauiour, who hath redeemed and deliuered vsus, is almighty, and no power of earth or hell is able to pull vsus out of his hand. And therefore when we ſee our owne weakeneſſe, let vsus labour alſo to ſee the Ioh. 10. 28, 29. Ephe. 1. 18, 19.exceeding greatneſſe of Gods power, not onelyonly in himſelfe, but alſo towards vsus who beleeue in him; and pray for our ſelues, as the Apoſtle for the Coloſſians, not onelyonly that wee may walke worthy of the Lord vntounto all pleaſing, Col. 1. 10, 11.being fruitfull in eueryevery good worke, but alſo that we may be ſtrengthened with all might according to his glorious power, and ouercome all difficulties, which our ſpirituall aduerſaries caſt in our way, to ſtoppe and hinder vsus in this courſe of godlineſſe. The like comforts we may hauehave in the performance of all good duties, when as wee conſider Satans craft and policy, and compare it with our ignorance and ſimplicity, ſeeing this need not to diſcourage vsus, if we deny our owne wiſedome as inſufficient to guide vsus, and ſuffer our ſelues to be wholy directed by the light of Gods truth, which is ſufficient to diſcouer and defeate all his ſubtilties and helliſh ſtratagems whereby hee indeuoureth to circumuent vsus; and giuegive our ſelues ouer to bee guided in all our waies by the good Spirit of God, who being infinite in wiſedome, is able to turne this Achitophels policies into fooliſhneſſe, to fuſtrate all his cunning plots and proiects, and ſo to direct vsus in all our courſes, that wee ſhall eaſily auoid all the ſnares and ſecret ambuſhments of this ſubtill enemie. And finally, his vigilancy and diligence, in ſeeking to turne vsus out of the right way, that wee may fall into his ſnares, cannot diſcourage vsus, if denying our owne prouidence and watchfulneſſe, wee commit and commend our ſelues vntounto Gods protection, ſeeing hee is that great Watch-man of Iſrael, who neuer ſlumbreth Pſal. 121, 3. 4.or ſleepeth, but continually keepeth vsus vnderunder the all-ſeeing eye of his prouidence, that he may preſerue vsus ſafe from the malice and might of Satan and all the enemies of our ſaluation.
§. Sect. 4 Satans tentations, whereby he impugneth our faith.
And thus wee ſee, how wee may generally incourage our ſelues in the duties of a godly life, againſt thoſe impediments which ariſe from the nature of this grand enemy, who oppoſeth vsus in them. Many others there are which are caſt in our way by his tentations, which either reſpect our faith, or the fruits of it in a godly life. Concerning the former; this wily and experienced enemie mainely bendeth all his forces and engines of battery againſt our faith, becauſe hee well knoweth, that if he can deſtroy the roote, the branches and fruites which ſpring from it, will wither and faile of their owne accord. And therefore ſometime taking aduantage of our wants and vnworthineſſe, our falls, frailties, and infirmities, hee perſwadeth vsus that wee hauehave no faith at all, when as wee hauehave it; and ſometimes laboureth to make vsus neglect all meanes of getting faith when it is wanting, by cauſing vsus to reſt vponupon that ſhew and ſhaddow of it, carnall ſecurity and fond preſumption. Yea, hee aſſaulteth our faith diuerſly, in reſpect of all the cauſes and meanes of our ſaluation, that ſo hee may hinder vsus in the wayes of godlineſſe. For firſt, hee mooueth vsus either falſly to beleeue, that all men are beloued of God, and ſo wee among the reſt, becauſe wee inioy teſtimonies of his fauour in worldly proſperity, though theſe outward gifts are giuen in common to the good and bad; or to doubt of Gods louelove, in reſpect of our afflictions, and ſo to neglect all duties of his ſeruice, becauſe wee know not whether wee or our workes are accepted of him. Secondly, hee perſwadeth vsus either to thinke that all are elected to ſaluation, and ſo wee among others, liue as wee liſt; or if ſome be elected, and ſome reprobated, that this Decree is vnchangeable; and therefore if wee be elected, wee ſhall be ſaued, though wee take our pleaſure and neglect all good duties; or if we be reiected, wee ſhall bee condemned, though wee take neuer ſo much paines in the wayes of godlineſſe. Finally, that wee can hauehave no aſſurance that wee are elected, and therefore it is in vaine to labour after it, but rather, that it is our wiſeſt courſe to leaue it to the venter, and take the benefit of preſent pleaſures. Thirdly, hee will tell vsus that all are redeemed by Chriſt, and wee with others, and therefore wee may liue in our ſinnes, ſeeing he hath ſatisfied for them; or that if he hauehave redeemed but ſome onelyonly, that we cannot be aſſured that we are in this number, though wee be neuer ſo diligent in Gods ſeruice. Fourthly, hee will ſuggeſt that all are vniuerſally called, and yet ſeeing many fall away, few are choſen, and conſequently, that it is a matter impoſſible to be aſſured that we are in Chriſts little flocke, becauſe when we hauehave done all we can, we may become Apoſtates, and no better then Wolues and Goats; and therfore it were beſt to ſpare our paines, and to inioy our pleaſures when we may hauehave them. Fifthly, he will tell vsus that we are iuſtified by faith alone, and therefore by that faith which is alone, and that good workes are not required to the act of iuſtification, and therefore are needleſſe to the party iuſtified; that they are not the cauſes of our ſaluation, and therefore wee neede not to walke in them, but may eaſily goe to heauen by another way. Sixthly, that none vponupon earth can be perfectly ſanctified, and therefore ſeeing we cannot be Saints heere, we muſt liue like other men, and not tire our ſelues in vaine, by labouring after impoſſibilities. Finally, that though wee hauehave neuer ſo much grace, and be as forward as any in the duties of godlineſſe, yet we may fall from this ſtate, and become as wicked as any other; and therefore ſeeing when we hauehave done our beſt in ſeruing God, and hauehave with much paines ſtored our ſelues with all ſpirituall graces, wee may loſe all our labour, and become, notwithſtanding all our care and diligence, vtter brankrupts in all goodneſſe, it were our beſt courſe to giuegive ouer this doubtfull paines in the ſeruice of God, and to ſatisfie our owne luſts with the preſent fruition of worldly delights. Of all which tentations, which Satan as impediments caſteth in our way, to diſcourage vsus in the courſe of godlineſſe, I hauehave largely ſpoken in the firſt part of my Chriſtian Warfare, and therefore heere thus briefly paſſe them ouer, referring the Chriſtian Reader to that Booke, for his more full ſatisfaction in theſe points.
§. Sect. 5 Satans tentations, whereby he ſeeketh to hinder vsus from entring into the wayes of godlineſſe, or from proceeding in them.
In reſpect of the godly life it ſelfe, Satan raiſeth againſt vsus many lets and impediments, either to hinder vsus from entring into the courſe of Chriſtianity, or to make vsus performe the duties required in it ſuperficially and vnprofitably. In reſpect of the former, he vſeth many deuices, to ſtop our entrance into the wayes of godlineſſe. And firſt, he laboureth to keepe our eyes blinded with ignorance, that wee may not ſee the wayes of godlineſſe wherein we ſhould walke; or if they be diſcouered by the light of the Goſpel ſhining vntounto vsus, hee will indeuour to keepe vsus from ſeeing the profit and neceſſity of walking in them. The former whereof we may auoyd, by remembring and conſidering, that ſauing knowledge is one of the chiefe grounds of a godly life, without which, it is no more poſſible that we ſhould performe the duties of Chriſtianity, then to walke in difficult wayes, hauing no eyes to guide vsus, nor light to direct vsus in them. And therefore we muſt not content our ſelues with our good meaning and ignorant deuotion, which can bring foorth no better fruits, then blind ſuperſtition and will-worſhip, which are odious vntounto God, but vſe all good meanes, whereby our minds may be inlightened with the ſauing knowledge of Gods truth, and carefully inquire after the good and old Ier. 6. 16.wayes (as the Prophet ſpeaketh) that wee may walke therein, and finde reſt to our ſoules. And for the auoyding of the other, wee muſt know and remember, that nothing in the world is ſo profitable and neceſſary, as to walk in the wayes of godlineſſe, after that by the light of truth they are diſcouered vntounto vsus, ſeeing this alone, though all worldly things bee wanting, will make vsus happy and bleſſed in this life and the life to come; Luk. 10. 42.whereas if we hauehave all other things, and want this, wee ſhall be wretched and miſerable. Secondly, Satan laboureth to hinder vsus from entring into the wayes of Chriſtianity, by alluring vsus to continue in our ſinful courſes, with the baites of worldly vanities; and by cauſing vsus to content our ſelues with the preſent poſſeſſion of theſe earthly trifles, hee maketh vsus to neglect our heauenly hopes, which are infinitely more excellent and permanent. For the eſcaping of which ſnare, wee muſt labour to contemne theſe inticing baites, by conſidering that theſe worldly things are, in reſpect of ſpirituall grace and heauenly glory, vaine and vnprofitable, vncertaine, mutable and momentany, as elſewhere I hauehave plainely ſhewed. Chriſt. Warf. 2. part.Thirdly, he hindreth vsus frō all duties of godlineſſe, by the deceitfulneſſe of ſin, which he ſecretly windeth into our hearts by degrees, till by many acts of wickedneſſe, he hath brought vsus vntounto a cuſtome, which is like another nature, and hath in it the commanding force of an vnreſiſtable Law. Which hindrance if we would auoyd, we muſt watch ouer our ſelues, that our hearts be not hardned, through the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne; to which purpoſe, Heb. 3. 13.we muſt ſhunne the firſt occaſions, withſtand the firſt motions of it, and plucke vp theſe curſed plants, before they be thorowly rooted, or if wee hauehave already loaded our conſciences with theſe dead workes, our ſecond care muſt bee to breake off our ſinnes by vnfained repentance, offering heerein to our corrupt nature, an holy violence, and as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, We muſt lay aſide eueryevery waight, and the ſinne that doth ſo eaſily beſet Heb. 12. 1.vsus, clinging (as it were) about our neckes, to hold vsus backe, that wee may ſo runne with patience vntounto the Race which is ſet before vsus, making voyd, by degrees, the ſtrong cuſtome of ſinne, by the acts of piety and righteouſneſſe, vntill wee hauehave confirmed in vsus the contrary cuſtome of godlineſſe and new obedience. Finally, Satan laboureth to hinder vsus from entring into the courſe of Chriſtianity, by perſwading vsus to make delayes; and when he cannot any longer make vsus beleeue that it is needleſſe, or of ſmall waight, but that ſeeing the profit and neceſſity of it, wee doe reſolue to leaue our former ſinfull liues, and to betake our ſelues vntounto Gods ſeruice, he will perſwade vsus to deferre it for a time, as a thing vnpleaſing to our corrupt nature, and vnprofitable to our worldly ends, vntill we may finde ſome fitter opportunity, and hauehave better ſettled our earthly buſineſſe. The which impediment I ſhal hauehave fitter occaſion to remoue in the following Diſcourſe; OnelyOnly let vsus here remember, that if we will be aduiſed by our Sauiours wiſe counſell, We muſt firſt ſeeke the Kingdome of God and his righteouſneſſe, Math. 6. 33.which being a matter of greateſt waight, and (in compariſon) onelyonly neceſſary, we muſt not put it off till after-times, which are vncertaine, but ſecure our ſelues of it, whileſt the day of ſaluation laſteth. And theſe are the common impediments which Satan caſteth into our way, that he may ſtop vsus from entring into the wayes of godlineſſe; with which, if he cannot ſo farre preuaile, as to make vsus neglect all holy duties altogether, hee will in the next place indeuour to make them vnprofitable for our ſaluation. To which purpoſe, amongſt many other lets, he chiefly and moſt vſually vſeth theſe two. The firſt is, to keepe vsus from feeling in them any power of godlineſſe, for the bettering of our ſpirituall eſtate, by cauſing vsus to performe theſe duties in a cold and formall manner, more for cuſtome then conſcience ſake. The other is, to make vsus fickle and vnconſtant in them, performing them by fits and flaſhes, when we hauehave leaſt to doe, and hauehave ſome ſpare time from our worldly imployments. The former whereof wee may auoyd, by ſetting our ſelues about the duties of Chriſtianity, as our mayne buſineſſe, with all reſolute diligence, and zealous deuotion, knowing that it is impoſſible to trauaile in this way, ſo full of difficulties and dangers, without ſerious indeuour, or to performe duties of ſo high a nature, and ſo contrary to naturall corruption, without diligent and painefull labour. The latter, by tying our ſelues vntounto a ſettled courſe, in the performance of all Chriſtian duties, knowing that hee who goeth ſometime forward, and ſometimes backeward, can neuer make any riddance of his iourney, nor come ſeaſonably to the end of it. Both which waighty points I heere thus briefly paſſe ouer, becauſe I hauehave already ſpoken of them at large. And let this ſuffice to hauehave briefly mentioned thoſe impediments, which Satan immediately by himſelfe ordinarily vſeth to hinder vsus from entring into, or proceeding in the way of godlineſſe; vntounto which, many more might be added, if I had not already handled the moſt of them in the firſt part of my Chriſtian Warfare.