OVR Apostle Saint Paul doth in these wordes give us a part of a description of wicked men in the latter times , and hee bringeth them in by way of prevention or objection or answere to an objection , as if some should wonder that there should be such kind of persons in the Church , as he in the former verses had described , Covetous , boasters , proud , blasphemers , disobedient to parents , unthankfull , unholy , &c. doe these live as the Church doe ? Doe these retaine the Sacraments , and the like . Yes saith the Apostle , they doe , wee cannot deny it , only this , they have a forme of godlinesse , but &c. So that the point of doctrine arising from hence , doth plainly appeare even at the first sight to bee this , viz.

That there is a powerfull godlinesse necessarie to salvation , and that many have but the forme , but not the power thereof .

Now there bee three thinges to bee explained in opening of this doctrine , to shew — what godlinesse is , what the power thereof is , the reasons why many have no more but the forme thereof .

For the first that you may the better conceave what Godlinesse is , I will first show you what it is not .

First then it is not bare nature , but that godlinesse which God requireth of all men is more then so , God indeed hath commanded nature , yea even corrupt nature to bring foorth many fruits of godlinesse , as much abstinence from pleasure , much patience , much temperance , and such like , which are all very beautifull in their owne Spheares , but because they come not from GOD , nor his Spirit of sanctifying , or because they have no respect of God , therefore they are not godlynes , neither doth God regard them .

Secondly , it is not the act of religion proceeding from selfe love , though offered to God in regard that men see that God is the governour of the world , that hee hath the keyes of heaven , and earth , and men may doe much to God for such respects using him as a bridge to get to heaven by making themselves the utmost ends and therefore this is not godlynesse , but what is it then you will say ? why .

What godlynes is . Thirdly it is a divine grace infused into the soule by God , whereby a man followes God , loves him , magnyfies him , sets him up in his heart above all , and manifesteth this in his life , and the whole course of it , doing all for him and to him , and it is thus wrought when the creature comes to see no beauty in himselfe , and no help in himselfe , and sith God is full of all beauty , and all excellency , and all power , able to answere our desires , in every thing , when he comes to see , and consider this , then he begins to set up God in his heart , as the Ivy having no roote cleaves faster to the tree , so likewise doth he only to God , seing that he cannot subsist of himselfe , and when he comes to see that he depends on him for all things , he will doe all things for him , because that all are from him whereas before seing some thing in himselfe , he magnified himselfe , and so withdrew himselfe , and his heart from GOD .

And so I come to the next particular .

Secondly what is meant by the power of Godlynesse , and for that you shall know there is a Godlynes , which is not only in words and complements , but in deed and truth , for it not onely puts upon a man a washie colour of perfection , but dyes his heart in graine in holynesse , and it differs from the other in five things .

Five differences betweene the forme and power of Godlynes . First . It is done in the Power , when it is not the bare picture , where there are not only the outward lineaments of nature , but when there is life in it , and that you shall know when a man needes not to bee called on to goood dueties , but there is a naturall principle of life in him , whereby hee doth them with facilitie , and constancie , as naturall actions of life , when likewise hee doth growe in them , for where their is life , there is also growth , and when hee doth likewise desire that which may feede it , as the other meanes , which may strengthen him in the doing of it , as if a man have life he desireth meat and sleepe , and when as there is life , then the workes that come from a man are not dead works , and then you have the power of godlinesse , it is not a fashion only .

Secondly it is not true but counterfeit , when it is like the true but not the same , but wants some particular property , that is to be found in the true , as that which is counterfeit balsame , which is like the true , but wants the power of healing , and so likewise a counterfeit drug , and a counterfeit jewel which wants that property , which the true hath , & the want of this you shall finde in the use , and in the wearing , as a rotten bow is found to be rotten when the arrow is drawne to the head , & so if a mans godlynes be counterfeit , & he unsound , it will be discovered in the wearing or in some particular case , when he is put to it , or tryed , a Ieweller will find out the propertie of a Iewell , but an ordinarie man can not doe it , but by use and the wearing , to instance in some particular parts of godlynes , the love of God if it be true , it hath these properties , that a man loves the brethren , for how canst thou love an immateriall holinesse in God , which is stampt upon the creature like thy selfe , so likewise rectitude , and uprightnesse of heart , trye it by this propertie , which our Saviour Christ makes of it , gratious speeches ; Christ saith that that which is predominant in the heart , the mouth will be full of : so for keeping of the commandements , if in trueth they have this properly , that they will not bee grievous , they will do them with a naturall delight , and inward willingnes , so for taking of Christ by saith . every man believeth hee doth so , but our Saviour Christ tryeth it by this , Goe sell all that thou hast , and thou shalt have treasure in heaven , and so mayest thou trye thy selfe when thou art put to it by losse of goods , or credit or otherwise .

Thirdly , It is in the power when it is strong , and not weake , when a man hath power and strength in doing good dueties , and heereby many are discovered , who have good purposes onely , which though they be heartie in them for a time , yet they want power and strength , and this is the case of many which bee in the Church , who though they have the knowlegde of the word of God , and approve the truth in their consciences , desiring to be saved by the practise of it , and so take up many good purposes , which yet come to nothing , because they want power and strength , consider therefore if thou hast power and strength to performe thy purposes , and then thou hast the power of Godlynes , but not els .

Many will say , I am but flesh and blood , and what will you have me to doe ? now here wants the power , as you may see in the fifth chapter of Moses called Deut , from the 7. ve . to the 29. the people there said to Moses that what the Lord should speak to him they would doe it , they said then what they thought , and what they meant and minded , and the Lord saith of them , O that there were such an heart in them , that they would feare mee , and keepe my commandements . &c. they wanted the power though they made good purposes .

Fourthly , If thou wouldest knowe whether thy godlynesse bee in the power or no , see whether thou hast not only the shaddow of it but the substance , for their is a shadow with the substance as if thou pray there is a formall doing of it , which is as the shaddow , but to pray in the holy Ghost , not in the voice of thy owne spirit but out of Gods owne spirit , but of Gods , not out of memorie or wit , but out of thy heart , and that an heart sanctified by the Spirit of adoption , this is the substance , and so for to heare for knowledge only that is the shadow , but to heare for practise that is the substance , and so againe for us to preach the Gospell , for to doe it , because necessitie is laid upon us , and there 's a woe denounced against us if wee doe it not , as saith our Apostle of himselfe , there is the shadow , but to preach with power , and authoritie , and not as the Scribes and Pharises with the enticing words of mans wisdome , this is the substance .

Fifthly and finally , It is in the power when as a man goeth thorough the work , a thing is said to be in the power when it is effectuall , when a man bringeth it to an end , and doth it not by halfes so some begin indeede , but then they leave the worke in the rudiments , but if a man haue the power hee will breake through all difficulties , hee will leape over all till hee hath wrought out his salvation with feare and trembling .

And thus having dispatcht the two former particulars , I hasten to the third , and last of the premises .

Thirdly , the reasons why some have but the forme ? and not the power and they are especially these .

Reasons why many men have but the forme . First , because it is most easie , but the power is a matter of more difficulty , for the former , it doth not call upon a man to cut off his right hand , to pluck out his right eye , and to deny himselfe in things nearest , and dearest unto him as the power doth , for it requyres a man should take paines in good duties , and goe throughout in them , not to omit or slight the least of them , in the least measure that may bee , or to lye in knowne sins , and farther it requires a man should doe this from day to day , and that when it crosses the flesh most , this is an hard saying , and caused many , that they would no longer abide with Christ , they were willing to obey the forme but not the power .

Secondly , because this power breeds hatred , and opposition in the world , & the world will crosse it again , now then when a man may retaine the former , and hold in with the world , a man may bee of the world still , and the world will love his owne , whereas the power maks them Antipodes to all the world , this makes many care for no more but the forme : fit for this purpose is that place Wis'd 2. 12. where the ungodly say of the righteous on this wise , these mens lives are contrary to ours , and their doings reprove our thoughts , therefore let us oppresse them : and Christ tels us we must look for no other , saying , we shall bee hated of all men for his names sake , and it is no easie matter to have all men in contention with us , this then is another reason heereof .

Thirdly , because it is enough to serve a mans turnes , for his unregenerate ends , for men having a naturall conscience , whereof they must stop the mouth , and it being injudicious , and not able to judge of the power of godlynes , they are satisfied with the forme , as now when Children are wayward and wrangling , because we know they are not judicious , wee give them Nutts , not gold or silver to still them , and it serves their turnes as well . so is it heere in the naturall conscience , it doth judge the forme to be enough to cary a man to heaven ; and who would doe more then he needs must .

Fourthly because if men have but the form of godlynes , Satan troubls thē not , nor the flesh , but Satan , ( for he knowes it will bring them to heaven ) when men labour for the power of godlynes , and goe on any further than the forme , then he hath the power of hell against them , and he keepes a great busseling with them to hinder them what he can , and so doth the flesh too , but it will not resist the forme , for that will stand with a mans lusts , but if he be divided against himselfe he cannot endure it , as to deny a friend or a stranger if he be importunate is a hard matter , but to deny a mans wife that lyes in his bosome , if shee be earnest is more difficult , but to deny a mans selfe when he is importunate with himselfe is most difficult , and yet this you must doe . if you have the power of it . Now to deny the power of it , is when it is laid open to men and offered , they with stubbornenesse of will resist and deny it .

And so much for the opening of the words , now for the folding of them up againe , and from the first what godlynesse is :

Let us learne not to deceave our selves , for it is not ( as I told you ) naturall or morall vertues onely , no nor the doing of the actions of religion , a man making himselfe his utmost ends therin , content not your selves therefore with any thing that is not godlynesse , let mee speake unto you as Peter to the dispersed brethren , whereafter that he had reckoned up many vertues , patience , knowledge , temperance . &c. he bids them adde to all these godlynes , as if hee had said all the rest are not availeable unlesse you have godlynes also , see therefore that all these bee godlynes , that is that they all come from him , and looke to him , for this is the nature of godlynes to come to the wells head . and to search higher then nature . to have another Alpha , and Omega , of all that is within us , or that comes from us , than what is within us of our selves . And then againe if wee bee to preach to others , wee should learne to preach Christ and God , that is to inforce all as from them and to them , not only to exhort to morall vertues , with such instructions as may be taken out of Seneca or Plutarch ( thogh these have their use & place ) but as out of the Scriptures , let Christ & God come in , and shew you how all doe come from God , and looke to God , and so all you that are hearers , be sure all you doe be godlynes , that is comming from God , and tending to him , for motions have their denominations from their terminus a quo , and from their ends as that is called calefaction , that tends to heate , so is that truely godlynes that tends to God , and hath respect unto him , as now a student , when he studies and takes pains in his books see whether thou dost it for thy selfe or for thy creddit , or doest thou make God thy utmost end , examine thy heart , and examine it narowly : and see likewise you are exercised in other callings , doe you doe them that you may doe good to mankinde in them , as a servant that uses his talent to his masters service , then is this godlynes , so if you eat or drink , or recreat yourselves , doe you doe it that you may doe good better , as men whet their sythes , that they may mowe the better , then this is also godlynes , for it tends to God and godlynes .

But you will say , doe you altogether condemne naturall , and morall vertues ? must they do nothing , yes you shal have this use of them , that they will helpe as winde to drive the ship , only it is godlynes is the rudder guides it , and aymes at the right haven , as for example , you are commanded to love your children , and your wives , you are bound to doe this , if you had no naturall affections in you , only having these affections in you , you doe it with more ease , els you must drive the ship with oares , wheras now the wind fills the fails , & you do it with more facility , and ease , and so likewise you are bound to be patient and meek and you must be so , though your natures be not so , but if your natures be so , you may the more easily be so , yet so as godlienes must set the compasse , and steere the ship , morrall vertues are like good horses , that draw the Chariot , but godlynes is the Auriga , the Coachman without which take the most excellent things , that nature is capable of , if it be not guided by it , the Lord regards them not , for God regards nothing but that which drawes the creatures unto him , but now morall vertues makes us rest upon our owne bottoms , and so likewise all things whatsoever they bee that beautyfie the flesh , for God wil have no flesh to glorifie in it selfe , Cor 1 , 29 , 31 but let him that glories , glory in the Lord , Nay I add more , take the graces of the spirit , where with God adornes his saints , as an husband doth his wife with jewels , if you magnyfie them you doe so much withdraw your hearts from God , therefore in heaven it is said there is neither , Sunne , nor Moone , now what is that ? there is no excellencie in any creature that is magnified there , but God is All in all , hee is Sunne and Moone , and therefore in the Revelation of Saint Iohn it is said , and said to their honour , it is made their worth that they give all to God glory & power be to our God for ever , Cap 7 , they fal on their faces , throw down their crowns , though created glorious creatures , yet when the evill Angells began to reflect upon themselves , it was their ruine , they fell from GOD , for the creature of it selfe is like a glasse without a bottome , if it commeth to stand upon its owne bottome , it falls , and breakes , and so the Angells when they would stand of themselves , they fell downe to the lowest pitt , and therefore of all graces labour for emptying graces , as faith and love , for these give all unto God , nothing to mans selfe , and therefore they are the great graces in religion which you must chiefly labour for .

Secondly , from that there is a power in godlinesse , if it bee such a powerfull a thing ( as you haue heard it is ) then this may serve to comfort us , in the wayes of it . Wheresoever it is in trueth , there it is in power , say that thou hast such a light that thou canst not believe , 1 Cor , 2● . that bee such roades as that thou canst not walke by them , yet if thou hast godlinesse thou shalt bee able to overcome , for the kingdome of God consistes in power , as it is saide , when GOD commeth to dwell in any mans heart , hee sendeth Godlinesse into it , which rules in it as a KING in his Kingdome , thinke therefore of it as of Monarches as Alexander was , or those which Daniel speaketh of , which carry all before it , it bringeth in everie thought into subjection , and therefore also the spirit is called a spirit of power , 1 Tim , 1 , ● and if you have godlinesse , it commeth from the spirit , and therefore is accompanied with power , and therefore Christ is said to bee full of the Holy Ghost , and of power , and so Steven , and Iohn the Baptist , and grace is said to bee a powerfull thing : Bee strong in the grace of GOD , and in the Power of his might .

Now the reason why godlinesse hath power is , because GOD hath put virtue into it , as when you see such and such an hearbe , have such a virtue in it to doe such and such a thing , it is because God hath endued it with such a power , and so hath hee done with godlynesse , if therefore thou hast any thing to doe in religion , set on it , Hast thou any lust to overcome ? set on it , and let mee speake to thee as hee spake to Gideon , Goe on thou valiant man in the might of the Lord . The people of Israel travelling to the land of Canaan , they saw the Citties walled to heaven , and that the Gyants were there , the sonnes of Anax , yet Ioshua biddeth them bee of good comfort , and feare not , for the Lord would fight for them , and deliver their adversaries into their hands , so though you see difficulties in the way to heaven , yet godlynes is a powerfull thing that will carrie you through all , therefore likewise the Apostle having prayed for the Ephesians that they might not faint at his tribulations for them , which was their glorie , but that they might be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man , to comprehend with all Saints the breadth , and length , and depth , and height , and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge , which because they might thinke they should never bee able to doe , Eph. 3 , 13 to the end , hee addeth to him that is able to doe above all that wee can aske or thinke , according to the power that worketh in us , to him bee all glorie , as if hee should have said , GOD is able to doe it , and that by the power , which worketh in him : so suppose it bee to subdue some lusts of a flesh , a thing so hard as you think it will never be done , nay you conceive it to be a thing so improbable , as that you are ashamd to aske it , Eph 1 , 9. yet according to that power , which worketh in you , hee is able to doe above all wee aske or thinke , and therefore he prayeth , that theîr eyes may bee opened , that they may see the greatnesse of the power that wrought in them , and it was not that they might see and looke at it idly , but for the use to serve their turnes , that they laying holde of it , and using of it , might bee able to doe these things , which they desire should bee done , even such things to which a mans nature is as untoward , as water is to heate when their is none in it , onely as Christ said to Marie , Believe and you shall see the power of God , thou must go to God for it by faith , and God will shew it foorth unto you , and you shall have fruits of it , the end of faith is not onely to apply the promises of Iustification but for Sanctification also , as for example hee hath promised to baptize you with the Holy Ghost as with fire , that is , with zeale and other graces of the spirit , which must give them power and strength , and all that sinne might not raigne in their mortall bodies , goe to God then and urge him of his promise , and hee cannot deny you : When men therefore thinke to excuse them-selves by saying , I am not able to doe such a thing , what will you have mee to doe ? it is no excuse , for if they were but willing , it is all hee requireth of them , the power , that belongeth to God , which if men would but believe , and goe to him , hee would undoubtedly give it them .

I therefore now aske thee , wouldst thou turne to God ? if thou wouldst overcome such and such a lust of vncleannesse , drunkennesse , &c. bee it what it will bee , if thou answere no , then thou art justly condemned , thy blood bee upon thy owne head , but if thou sayest yes , thou wouldst , then come but to GOD , bee resolute to bee religious in good earnest , 1 Cor 8 , and I will assure thee hee will vouchsafe thee power to doe it . The Apostle saith that GOD would confirme them vnto the end , that they might bee blamelesse in the day of the Lord IESUS , for saith hee , GOD is faithfull , hee hath said , hee hath promised it , hee shall breake his word if hee doe not , let mee reason it a little with you , Is it not an acceptable request to goe to GOD with all thy heart ? and to saye , Lord , I desire but the power and strengeh to goe through with thy owne worke ? Dost thou thinke hee will not heare thee ? Remember Christ , the onely Physitian , how readie hee was to heale men of their bodily diseases when they came unto him , and hee hath not put off his nature now : Dost thou think the power of death and resurrection were but fancies , or a notion ? If not goe on , and feare not , for as GOD said to Ioshua , so shalt thou find him to deale with thee , I will never leave thee , nor forsake thee , and so leaving what I have said to your further consideration , I come to a third : that seeing godlynes is such a powerfull thing , as you have seene , that therefore you take heed how you deceave your selves with fond desires and purposes , that have no power , no force in them , so as to thinke that they will serve the turne , no yet a few , feeble , faint endèavours . I saye to men that set on religious courses without haveing their hearts chaoged , as Christ said unto his Disciples , Luk 24 , 49 , tarrie yee in the Cittie , till yee bee endued with power from on high , as if our Saviour Christ should have said , if yee goe presently into the world , yee will not be able to goe through with your works : stay therefore with fasting and prayer till you have received power from on high to carrie you through , for new purposes in a man that returnes to old nature , is like new wine in old vessells , they will breake the vessells and bee too bigge for your hearts : it is therfore enough to take up now a purpose , and begin to bee diligent in your calling or sanctifying the Sabbath , for it is impossible that purposes should live in an heart that is carnall , for as the soyle must be sutable to every creature , or els it will not live so likewise you will never bee able to performe these purposes ,

In the first place therefore labour to get new hearts , How to get the power of godlynes as the bottome to these purposes , which may be as the root to give sap to thē , for then they wil live & grow in you , when there is a soyle to suite with them .