The Power of Godliness, Book 1 · Chapter 1
CHAP. I. Discovering the Nature, and Extent of true Godliness, together with Arguments to perswade both the knowledg and practice thereof.
Question: WHerein doth true godliness consist?
A. True godliness doth consist in mans obediential conformity unto Gods revealed will, with respect unto his Name.
1. Man having received his being from God, and having his constant universall dependence upon him, this is a necessary inference, according to the principles of nature, and right reason, that therefore he is bound to acknowledg Divine Soveraignty, together with his own subjection, by taking Laws from his Highness, for the right ordering of his conversation. And so farre as the children of men are carefull to frame their lives according to this Rule, they are in the Scripture account, judged godly; As it is said of Ananias, Act. 22.12.that he was a godly or devoute man, according to the Law. Whereas, those actions which with most specious pretences, seem to express devotion,Col. 8.20, 23. Act. 17.23. being the meer inventions and prescriptions of men, are to be esteemed no better, then will-worship, and superstition.
2. And though the matter of obedience be according to Gods express Command, yet it is not to be reputed godliness, except man therein hath reall reference unto God. It is considerable, that in the holy Scripture, both mens actions, and dispositions, are denominated godly upon this account; Thus the Apostles St John commending Gaius, for his charity to the Church-members addeth these words:3 Joh. 6. Whom if thou bring forward on their journey, after a godly manner, thou shalt do well. And the great Characteristical difference betwixt morality and piety, lyeth in this particular, that the one determineth in man, and the other relateth unto God.Gen. 20.6. 2 Cor. 1.12. Act. 24 2. H…b. 12.28. 2 Cor. 7.9. 1 King 2.27, 29. Prov. 6.34. Gen. 4 23. 2 Cor. 11. There was integrity in Abimelech, which fell short of that godly sincerity, which administred comfort unto the holy Apostles of Christ. And Faelix his trembling was farre inferiour unto that godly fear, unto which the Heires of Heaven are perswaded. That godly sorrow, (that sorrow according to God) for which the repenting Corinthians are commended, did much exceed Ahabs mourning. And the like difference is to be put betwixt the jealousie of a man, such as is expressed by Lamech. And that godly jealousie which St Paul found burning in his bosome towards the Corinthians. This therefore must be known, that as the Rule of a godly life, is Gods Word, so the object, and the end unto which godliness relateth, is God himself.
Q. How farre doth true godliness extend, and reach in a Christian Course?
A. It's manifest from that which was before suggested, that godliness is of equall latitude with the holy Scripture, which doth direct man whole course of life in reference unto God. It is true, that sometimes the word godliness, is strictly taken, and restrained unto the duties of Divine worship, when it's mentioned as distinct from temperance, 2 Pet. 1.6, 7.brotherly kindness, and charity; In which sense also it is to be taken, when the Apostle exhorteth to live soberly, righteously, Tit. 2.12. foreign Psal. 12.1. which the 70 render, foreign, 1 Tim. 6.6. foreign. Act. 10.2. & 22.12. & 17.23. 1 Tim. 4.8.and godly in this present world. And the Original words whereby the Holy Ghost doth express it, both in the Old and New Testament, do favour this restrictive sense. The Hebrew word is indifferently translated godly, or holy; And the Greek word, applied to persons, is rendred godly, or devoute; As when applied to actions, it's translated worships, or devotions. But although this be acknowledged, yet in the holy Scripture godliness is more comprehensive. And when the Apostle perswading godliness, saith, That it is profitable unto all things; Some render the wordaBeza. true worship; OthersbTrem. righteousness; SomecGrot. vertue. And Mr Calvin saith, It comprizeth obedience to the Commandements of both Tables.d2 Pet. 2.8, 9. Luk. 1.6. St Peter also maketh godly and righteous equivalent, and of equall extent. And we know that the truly righteous man, is carefull to walk in all the Commandements and Ordinances of the Lord universally. Therefore let the comprehensiveness of godliness be considered briefly in these Particulars.
1. It relateth unto all the holy truths on record in Scripture, which are to be known, believed, and converted into practice. The discovery of Christ in the Gospel,1 Tim. 3.16. 1 Tim. 6.3. Tit. 1.1. is called the mystery of godliness, and the whole Systeme of Divine Revelations recorded in the Bible, is said to be, the Doctrine, and the truth according to godliness. Godliness therefore doth as well respect opinions entertained, as duties discharged.
2. The practice of godliness doth imply a cautious declining of all lusts whatsoever,Tit. 2.12. Indefinita propositio, in materia necessaria, equipollet universali. Act. 10.2, condemned and decryed in holy Writ. Denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should (saith the Apostle) live godly in this present world. In which words the casheiring of all corruptions, without indulging any, is intended.
3. Godliness containeth the conscientious performance of all positive duties, whether they do concern God or man. Cornelius is called a godly, or devate man, because, fearing God, he gave much almes, and prayed to God alwaies. And St Paul perswading piety towards Parents doth more then intimate that godliness doth comprehend the several services,1 Tim. 5.4. required in our various humane relations.
4. Lastly, Reall godliness doth comprehensively graspe, the right manner of Christian obedience, with the whole matter thereof commanded in the Word of Truth. The Original word,foreign (most ordinarily used to signifie godliness) doth evidently point at serving God well, whether in acts of immediate, or mediate worship, which the Lord both requireth and accepteth.Isa. 1.17. Gen. 4.7. Tit. 2.12. And this serving of God godly, in regard of the manner, doth comprize 1. the root, 2. the rule, 3. and the end of mans obedience.
1. Love to God is the root from whence godliness doth spring; In which respect Nehemiah his goodness in taking care of holy worship,Neh. 13.14. is called his kindness. The same word in the Original, we have else-where translated (godly.) And the word is very significative [Chesidah] being the name of the Stork, Psal. 32.6. Psal. 104.17.which Bird is the emblem of Love, because the young ones, when grown strong, are wont to carry the old ones, being infirm, from place to place upon their backs.
2. The rule or guide of godliness,Act. 22.12. Gal. 6.16. is Gods Word (as was touched upon before) which is the constant Canon of the true Israelites conversation, making way for his acceptance with the Lord. That goodness of Josiah, which God approved, is thus discribed:2 Chro. 35.26. That it was according to that which was written in the Law of the Lord.
3. The glory of God is the end wherein true godliness doth determine. This followeth undeniably from the two former Particulars; For whosoever acteth from a principle of good-will to God, eyeing his word as the compass by which he steereth, cannot but intentionally aim at, and center in his praise.2 Tim. 3.12. Joh. 12.28. & 17.1, 4. As it was with Jesus Christ, (the Fountain from which godliness doth arise) who made his Fathers glory the chief end both of his active and passive obedience.
All these things being premised, That Treatise of godliness which fetcheth in the whole duty of man, will not be censured as improper or impertinent.
Q. By what Arguments may the study of godliness (in this comprehensive Consideration) both in the knowledg, and practice thereof, be perswaded?
A. First, A principle of self-love may prevalently perswade this endeavour; Whereas, many say, who will shew us any good? And,Psal. 4.6. Jam. 4.13. 1 Tim. 6.6. 1 Tim. 4.8. We will go to such a place and tarry there, and get gain. The best, and most abiding gain, cometh in by meanes of godliness. For it hath the promise both of this life, and of that which is to come.
1. In this life it's profitable to all things: I shall point at some. 1. By means hereof every Talent is fruitfully traded, every Relation Christianly filled, every duty conscientiously discharged, every Ordinance profitably improved, every comfort spiritually seasoned, and every Cross more easily carried. 2.Psal. 4.3. Psal. 32.6. God hath marvellously separated to himself the man that is godly; And therefore when he prayeth, he may confidently look for audience Godliness alone layeth the foundation of reall contentment in every state and change of life. For in God,1 Tim. 6.6. Gen. 33.11. Psal. 84 11. Phil. ….20. Jer. 32.41. the godly man hath sufficiency, and may safely say with Jacob, I have all. And enjoying God, he may assure himself, that all creature-wants shall be supplied, and all occurences undoubtedly sanctified.
2. Neither is the gain of godliness confined unto this present life: for at the end of this life, unto those who have given diligence to adde godliness unto other vertues,2 Pet. 1.5.11. shall entrance be ministred abundantly into the Everlasting Kingdom of Jesus Christ. When death shall smmon to appear at Christs Tribunal, others shall tremble to think of that dreadfull Day, they who have lived godly, shall with the expectations of faith, look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of Christ. Tit. 2.12, 13. 2 Pet. 3.11, 12.And as a fruit of their holy conversation, and godliness, they shall with joy hacte unto the coming of the Day of God.—Having these Promises, therefore (unto which very many more might be added) we all,2 Cor 7.1. should alwaies be perfecting our holiness in Gods fear.
Secondly, The study of godliness may be quickned by this consideration, if well improved, viz. That the Lord himself doth propound it as the great end of the sweetest providences which do concern us.
1. Whereas freedom from commotions and persecutions from men (which do waste and imbitter our creature-comforts) is a blessing of much worth. We are advised to beg it with respect to godliness; That we may live a quiet and peaceable life, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2.(saith the Apostle) in all godliness and honesty.
2. And whereas outward peace in the world would be of small value without the light of the Gospel, it pleaseth the Almighty to shine amongst us, by the Word of his Grace, that thereby we may be taught, denying all ungodlinss and worldly lusts, Tit. 2.10, 11.to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
3. Lastly, Neither peace amongst men, nor the plentifull and clear publication of the Gospel, can make us truly happy without Christ. Therefore God exhibiteth, and conferreth Christ with the benefits of redemption by him,Luk. 1.74, 75. That we may live godly, righteously, and soberly before him all the daies of our lives.
If then there be any respect, either to our own comfort, or to Gods content, these Arguments will be prevalent with us, to use double industry, in husbanding all holy helpes, that we may not take up with a form and image of godliness, but express the power of it in our whole conversation.