by John Downame
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
1463 pages
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, David Jonescue, Alex Sarrouf) www.puritansearch.org, Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
"A Guide to Godliness: A Treatise on the Christian Life" by John Downame is a massive 1463-page volume written for Christians seeking to live a life in full dedication to God. The book delineates the multifaceted duties of a Christian life, providing insight into both the spiritual warfare against sin and the peaceful practices of piety. It emphasizes the importance of conforming to God's will through holiness, righteousness, and sobriety, insisting that such a life (by God's grace) is to be pursued with fervent desire and unwavering determination.
Downame's treatise is organized into six detailed books, each addressing different components of godliness. The first book lays the groundwork by identifying the fundamental graces and duties that support a godly life, discussing the essence of a godly life, and stressing the importance of saving knowledge and faith. The initial chapters set the tone for the entire work, underscoring the necessity of understanding and striving towards the high calling of a Christian.
The heart of the treatise, encompassed in the subsequent books, explores the core duties that should be constantly upheld by believers. Downame presents a thorough description of the duties pertaining to both the first and second tables of the Ten Commandments, highlighting the need for piety, adherence to God, trust, and charity. He elaborates on the practical aspects of these virtues, providing guidance on how to incorporate them into the daily lives of the faithful.
The latter part of the work shifts focus to the practicalities of maintaining a godly life amidst the challenges posed by Satan, the world, and the flesh. It offers strategies to overcome these obstacles, such as watchfulness, meditation, and the regular examination of one's spiritual state. Furthermore, Downame provides a wealth of prayers for various occasions, including morning and evening devotions, prayers for the sick, and thanksgivings, which serve as both a model and aid for personal and family worship.
Downame's treatise is a comprehensive guide that seeks to equip readers with the knowledge and tools necessary for leading a life of godliness. It is a rich blend of doctrinal teaching and practical advice, aimed at encouraging Christians to not only understand but also to practice their faith with sincerity and integrity, thus fulfilling their duties to God and progressing on the path of spiritual growth.
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Table of Contents
To the most Reverend Father in God
To the Christian Reader.
THE FIRST BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE: Containing the grounds and fundamental graces whereby it is supported.
--CHAPTER I. Containing the Preface to the following Treatise, which showeth the excellency, profit and necessity of the subject matter therein handled.
-- CHAPTER II. Containing the definition of a godly life, whereby we may know what it is, and wherein it consisteth.
-- CHAPTER III. Of the main matter of a godly life, namely, that it must be framed according to God's will, in holiness, righteousness, and sobriety.
-- CHAPTER IV. Of the form and manner how all Christian duties ought to be performed, namely, with fervency of desire, a settled resolution, and earnest endeavor to please God in all things.
-- CHAPTER V. Of saving knowledge, which is the first main ground of a godly life: How necessary it is, and the causes of it.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of the object of saving knowledge, namely, God himself and his attributes, his Word and works.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the quantity and quality of saving knowledge, and how necessary it is to a godly life.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of a lively and justifying faith, which is the second main ground of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER IX. Of the means whereby we may obtain a lively faith, and daily increase it from the least to the highest degree.
-- CHAPTER X. Of the third ground of a godly life, which is a pure heart.
-- CHAPTER XI. Of the signs of a pure heart, and the means whereby we may both obtain and preserve it.
--CHAPTER XII. Of Conscience in general, the nature, properties, and effects of it.
-- CHAPTER XIII. Of a good Conscience, which is a main ground of a godly life; what it is, and the causes of it.
-- CHAPTER XIV. Of the actions and effects of a good Conscience; of the peace which it truly speaketh; and how it differeth from the false peace of secure worldlings.
-- CHAPTER XV. Of the good things which a good Conscience witnesseth to the faithful.
-- CHAPTER XVI. Of the signs and properties of a good Conscience.
-- CHAPTER XVII. Of the means whereby we may get a good Conscience; and preserve it being gotten.
THE SECOND BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE - Containing the main parts and principal duties of it, which we ought generally to perform at all times, and upon all good occasions.
-- CHAPTER I. Of the main duties wherein a godly life consisteth.
-- CHAPTER II. Of piety, which is the sum of the first Table
-- CHAPTER III. Of our adhering and cleaving unto God, with the full purpose and resolution of our hearts.
-- CHAPTER IV. Of trust, affiance, and hope in God.
-- CHAPTER V. Of the love of God, and diverse virtues which spring from it.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of the fear of God, and humility which ariseth from it, joined with his love. And of God's external worship with the body.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the duties which are required in the second Commandment, as Prayer, hearing the Word, and administration of the Sacraments.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of the duties required in the third and fourth Commandment.
-- CHAPTER IX. Of the sum of the second Table.
-- CHAPTER X. Of the reasons which may move us to embrace charity.
-- CHAPTER XI. Containing in it the duties which are required in the fifth Commandment.
-- CHAPTER XII. Of the duties required in the sixth Commandment.
-- CHAPTER XIII. Of the duties required in the seventh Commandment.
THE THIRD BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE - Containing in it those duties which are required in our daily exercise, both generally at all times of the day, and upon all occasions, and specially in the several parts of it.
-- CHAPTER I. That the duties of a godly life ought daily and constantly to be performed, and not by fits and spurts only.
-- CHAPTER II. Of some special duties of a godly life, which are to be performed in our daily exercise: And first, of the renewing of our repentance.
-- CHAPTER III. Of our daily exercise in renewing of our faith.
-- CHAPTER IV. Of our daily exercise in seeking God, and what are the things which are required unto it.
-- CHAPTER V. Of the right manner of seeking God, so as we may be sure to find him: and of the benefits which arise from it.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of the Christian Armor which we must put on daily, and of the benefits which we shall reap thereby.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the fourth main daily duty, which is to arm ourselves against all sin, and to devote ourselves wholly to God's service.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of the fifth and sixth daily duties, which are to conform ourselves to God's Law, and to submit ourselves to his good pleasure.
-- CHAPTER IX. Of the last main duty of the daily exercise, which is Prayer.
-- CHAPTER X. Of the daily exercise of Thanksgiving; and how it ought to be performed.
-- CHAPTER XI. Of the duties of the daily exercise, in every several part of the day. And first of waking with God, by Prayer and Meditation.
-- CHAPTER XII. Of Prayer in the Morning, how profitable it is and necessary, and of our preparation unto it.
-- CHAPTER XIII. Of such things as are required as essential unto prayer.
-- CHAPTER XIV. Of the circumstances of Prayer, and of their quantity and quality.
-- CHAPTER XV. Of the form and method which are to be used and observed in our prayers, &c.
-- CHAPTER XVI. Of singing Psalms, and reading the Scriptures in the family.
-- CHAPTER XVII. Of our daily exercise in the duties of our callings, and of diverse virtues required in them.
-- CHAPTER XVIII. Divers reasons which may persuade us to be faithful and diligent in duties of our callings.
-- CHAPTER XIX. That all persons without exceptions, are bound by God's Law to walk painfully in the works of their callings.
-- CHAPTER XX. Of Recreations, which are not only lawful, but also profitable and necessary, if we be exercised in them according to God's Word.
-- CHAPTER XXI. Of diverse Cautions which ought to be used in all our Recreations.
-- CHAPTER XXII. The last caution is, that our Recreation be a liberal exercise, and not sordid for gain.
-- CHAPTER XXIII. Of the duties which ought daily to be performed at our meals.
-- CHAPTER XXIV. Of diverse other duties which we ought to perform at our meals.
-- CHAPTER XXV. Of the duties which we ought to perform, when we are solitary and alone.
-- CHAPTER XXVI. What duties we ought to perform when we are in company.
-- CHAPTER XXVII. Of Christian conferences, which we must use when we are in company, for our mutual good.
-- CHAPTER XXVIII. Of Christian prudence, which we ought to use in all our conferences.
-- CHAPTER XXIX. Of those duties which concern our works and actions one with another, both out of contracts, and in our buying and selling.
-- CHAPTER XXX. That Governors of families ought to train up those which are under their charge in the duties of godliness.
-- CHAPTER XXXI. Of family duties, which respect wise and religious government.
-- CHAPTER XXXII. How we ought to behave ourselves in the estate of prosperity, that we may thrive in all spiritual graces.
-- CHAPTER XXXIII. How we may rightly use the state of prosperity, so as it may be an help unto godliness.
-- CHAPTER XXXIV. How we ought to behave ourselves in the estate of affliction, so as we may profit thereby in all saving graces.
-- CHAPTER XXXV. Of those Christian duties which are to be performed in the Evening and Night.
-- CHAPTER XXXVI. That we must moderate our sleep, and not spend too much time in sloth and sluggishness.
-- CHAPTER XXXVII. Of those Christian and religious duties which we ought to perform on the Lord's Day, for the sanctifying of it.
-- CHAPTER XXXVIII. That the whole Lord's Day must be consecrated unto him, first, by resting on it from all labor and from sin.
-- CHAPTER XXXIX. That we must sanctify our rest, by consecrating it to the duties of God's service.
-- CHAPTER XL. Of the public duties of God's service on the Lord's Day.
-- CHAPTER XLI. Of such duties as are to be performed on the Lord's Day, after our coming from the Church.
THE FOURTH BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE- Containing in it the properties of a godly life, and of all the duties which are required unto it.
-- CHAPTER I. That all duties universally of a godly life, must be performed in sincerity and integrity of heart.
-- CHAPTER II. Of the means whereby we may attain unto integrity and sincerity.
-- CHAPTER III. That we must join with inward integrity, the service of the body and the outward man.
-- CHAPTER IV. That we must perform universal obedience to the whole will of God.
-- CHAPTER V. Of the properties of Christian and holy duties, which respect their causes efficient and final.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of those properties which respect our hearts and affections.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the properties which respect the whole man: And first, diligence in all duties of God's service.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of constancy in the duties of godliness, without remission or intermission.
-- CHAPTER IX. Reasons which may move us to be constant in all Christian duties of a godly life, and the means of it.
-- CHAPTER X. Of our perseverance in all Christian duties of a godly life.
THE FIFTH BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE - Containing in it the helps and means which enable us unto it.
-- CHAPTER I. Of the rules of a godly life, whereby we may be directed in the right performing of all Christian duties. And first, of such rules as respect the causes of it, both principal and subordinate.
-- CHAPTER II. Of the rules of a godly life, which respect the circumstances of it.
-- CHAPTER III. Of the rules of a godly life, respecting the matter, form and substance of it.
-- CHAPTER IV. That we must not content ourselves with a small measure of grace, but labor to grow unto perfection.
-- CHAPTER V. Of the means whereby we may be enabled to lead a godly life: and first, of the ministry of the Word.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of the duties of the people in hearing of the Word; and first, of such as are to be performed in their preparation.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the second public means of a godly life, which is the administration of the Sacraments.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of the third public means of a godly life, which is Prayer.
-- CHAPTER IX. Of the private means of a godly life: and first of Christian watchfulness.
-- CHAPTER X. Of Christian watchfulness over the senses, our tongues and actions.
-- CHAPTER XI. Of the ends at which we must aim in the Christian watch.
-- CHAPTER XII. Of the reasons whereby we may be persuaded to keep this Christian watch.
-- CHAPTER XIII. Of the means whereby we may be enabled to keep the Christian watch.
-- CHAPTER XIV. Of Meditation, which is the second private means of a godly life, what it is, and the causes thereof, with the reasons which may move us to this holy exercise.
-- CHAPTER XV. Of extraordinary Meditation.
-- CHAPTER XVI. Containing answers unto diverse objections made against this exercise of Meditation.
-- CHAPTER XVII. Of the circumstances of Meditation, as the place, time, and gesture of the body.
-- CHAPTER XVIII. Of our entrance into Meditation by due preparation.
-- CHAPTER XIX. Of our progress and proceeding in the exercise of Meditation, and what is required therein.
-- CHAPTER XX. An example and pattern of Meditation, the subject matter whereof is true and unfeigned repentance.
-- CHAPTER XXI. Showing how we must work the former points upon our hearts and affections.
-- CHAPTER XXII. Of diverse special means whereby the point meditated is wrought upon the heart and affections.
-- CHAPTER XXIII. Of the third private means of a godly life, which is consideration and examination of our estate.
-- CHAPTER XXIV. Containing diverse effectual reasons to move us unto this exercise of Meditation.
-- CHAPTER XXV. Of the fourth private means of a godly life, which is, walking daily with God.
-- CHAPTER XXVI. Of the last private means of a godly life, which is, experimental knowledge.
-- CHAPTER XXVII. Wherein is showed, that prayer is a singular means of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XXVIII. Of reading the Scriptures and other religious writings.
-- CHAPTER XXIX. Of our preparation unto this exercise of reading, and what is required in it.
-- CHAPTER XXX. Of the duties required in the action of reading, that we may profit by it.
-- CHAPTER XXXI. That reading is a notable means to further us in the duties of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XXXII. The last ordinary means of a godly life, is the choice of our company, shunning the society of the wicked, and consorting ourselves with the godly and Religious.
-- CHAPTER XXXIII. Of extraordinary means of a godly life, and first, of feasting, and solemn thanksgiving.
-- CHAPTER XXXIV. Of the second extraordinary means, which is, solemn fasting.
-- CHAPTER XXXV. Of the parts of a true Fast, or the things wherein it consisteth.
-- CHAPTER XXXVI. Of the arguments and reasons which may move us to lead a godly life; and first, such as respect God's nature, works, and love towards us.
-- CHAPTER XXXVIII. Of two other reasons moving us to a godly life: the one, taken from our effectual Calling; the other, from our free Justification by faith.
-- CHAPTER XXXIX. Other motives arising from those duties which we owe unto God and our neighbors.
-- CHAPTER XL. Of such reasons moving us to the duties of a godly life as respect ourselves.
-- CHAPTER XLI. Other reasons taken from our own profit, and the manifold benefits of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XLII. Other reasons, taken from those singular privileges, which are peculiar unto those who serve God in the duties of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XLIII. Of other singular privileges, wherewith God crowneth a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XLIV. Other singular privileges, wherewith God in this life crowneth the godly, which are the fruits and effects of his holy Spirit.
-- CHAPTER XLV. Of four other main privileges, wherewith God crowneth the godly, both in this life and the life to come.
THE SIXTH AND LAST BOOK OF A GODLY LIFE – In treating of the impediments which usually hinder and discourage men from entering into, and proceeding in the Christian duties which are required unto it, and of the helps and means whereby they may be removed.
-- CHAPTER I. Of those impediments which are cast into our way, to hinder us in the duties of a godly life, by Satan the Arch-enemy of our salvation.
-- CHAPTER II. Of worldly impediments which hinder a godly life; and first, such as are public.
-- CHAPTER III. Of such private impediments which the world useth, to hinder us in a godly life, and first, those on the right hand.
-- CHAPTER IV. Of private impediments on the left hand, as afflictions and persecutions.
-- CHAPTER V. Of external impediments whereby the world hindereth us in the duties of a godly life; and first, slanders and derision.
-- CHAPTER VI. Of worldly persecutions, and how we may be strengthened against them.
-- CHAPTER VII. Of the impediments of a godly life, which arise from scandals and offenses.
-- CHAPTER VIII. Of the impediments of a godly life, arising from the flesh: and first, such as arise from the intellectual faculties.
-- CHAPTER IX. Of those manifold impediments of a godly life, which arise from our sinful and corrupt hearts and affections.
-- CHAPTER X. Of impediments arising from our corrupt affections, and first, from carnal hope and presumption.
-- CHAPTER XI. Of the third sort of carnal affections, which are impediments to a godly life; as superstitious scrupulosity, dejection of mind, fear and desperation.
-- CHAPTER XII. Objections against a godly life made by the flesh, answered, and first, such as pretend impossibility and difficulty.
-- CHAPTER XIII. That a godly life is not tedious and troublesome to the regenerate man, but easy and familiar.
-- CHAPTER XIV. That a godly life is not harsh and unpleasant, mopish and melancholic, but above all others, most cheerful and pleasant, sweet and delightful.
-- CHAPTER XV. Three other objections of the flesh against a godly life, propounded, and answered.
-- CHAPTER XVI. Their objection answered, who allege that their poverty presseth them to such continual labor, that they have no leisure for the duties of a godly life.
-- CHAPTER XVII. Their objection answered, who pretend that their multitude of worldly employments will allow them no leisure for religious duties.
-- CHAPTER XIII. Their objection answered, who excuse their neglect of Religious duties, under pretence that the times and places wherein they live, are full of corruption.
-- CHAPTER XIX. Divers other objections made by the flesh against a godly life, propounded and answered.
A GUIDE FOR PRAYER
-- I. A paraphrase upon the Lord's Prayer.
-- II. A private Prayer for the Morning.
-- III. Another private Prayer for the Morning.
-- IV. A Prayer for the Family in the Morning.
-- V. Another Prayer for the Family in the Morning.
-- VI. A Prayer for the Family in the Evening.
-- VII. Another Prayer for the Family in the Evening.
-- VIII. A Prayer for the Lord's Day in the Morning.
-- IX. A Prayer for the Evening of the Lord's Day.
-- X. A Prayer before receiving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
-- XI. A Thanksgiving after the receiving of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.
-- XII. A Prayer for the Sick.
-- XIII. A Prayer for Children.