The Power of Godliness, To the reader
TO THE Christian Reader.
READER,
THe Reverend Author of this Book, was pleased to commend all his Manuscripts to my trust; which being noised abroad, I was moved by many; to make more of his Works Publick: and some of these Treatises, which are here conjoyned in one Volume were particularly mentioned: But I (with the consent of some of his worthy Friends) gain-said these motions for many years, upon these grounds.
1. Because they were penned long since, and therefore may be accounted to fall short of the ripened abilities which he afterwards attained.
2. Because, as some Passages herein were borrowed from Authors, whom he hath not nominated: So some short Notes gathered out of these Manuscripts (when lent unto Friends for private use) have already in their printed tracts been committed to publique view.
3. And because my self (through want of health and leasure) could neither carefully peruse the Work, nor attend the Press.
While I was, by these Arguments concluded under this resolution, some pieces of this Book did fall (through an unexpected providence) into the hands of a worthy Friend, who upon the reading of them, was earnest with me to make them publique, being confident that thereby I might do an acceptable and profitable service unto many. This importunity was the more prevalent, coming from one whose Eminency in Learning and Piety, had deservedly gained high estimation in my heart and judgment. And I have the rather yeelded unto this request, not only because these Papers might possibly after my death, fall into some hands unto prejudice, but also considering, that (through Gods mercy) such savoury Discourses do find good acceptance among many, even in these erroneous, broken Times. I know that there are many Treatises upon the self-same profitable Subjects here discoursed of, which have been published, both in former and later Times, by sundry Eminent and Faithfull Servants of Jesus Christ: yet I hope, that in this case, store will be no sore, but that the same Divine Practical Truths, by meanes of many hands, will be the more fully cleared, strongly confirmed, and prevailingly perswaded unto the Readers profit. Every believing Christian from a Principle of spiritual self-love, will make a godly life his chief business, because no other course can possibly be so advantagious, either here or hereafter. And this is the great Argument whereby St Paul perswadeth the study,1 Tim. 4.7, 8. and practice of it. Exercise thy self unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Some men toyl at home, and take journeys abroad to gain worldly wealth, others by running Races, by Wrestlings, Feats of activity, and by Acts of Magnanimity,foreign. Sign. hanc esse occupationem hoc studium hanc curam Calv. Exerce Athleticè. Lapid. Est proprie exerceri in gymnade inde capit transferi, ad omnia ea quae agerdo discimus, &c. Grot. Eccl. 1.2, 17. Eccl. 1….13. Necesse est, ut homo, inde beatus fit unde fit bonus. Aug. Rev. 20 6. Psal. 1 1. & 102.1. & 119.1, 2. &c. acquire honour amongst men. A third sort by motion and bodily exercise, maintain health of body. And others by outward works of worship and devotion, do procure to themselves much estimation. But alas, how inconsiderable is all this advantage, being compared with the soul happiness to be enjoyed in the waies of godliness. Upon this account the Apostle calleth for vigour and double industry, in all the practices of Piety, as the Original word which he useth doth import.
King Solomon, the wisest and the wealthiest of the Sonnes of men (having together with all worldly contentments, compleat ability to improve them) doth write vanity and vexation of spirit upon them all, and preferreth the fearing of God, and the keeping of his Commandments, farre above them all. It is Piety, and not things sublunary which brings us true felicity. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, &c. And in the holy Scriptures, not the great ones, but the godly ones, are pronounced happy. Manifold Reasons may be rendred hereof, unto the satisfaction of such who are truly ingenuous.
Jer. 10.16. Lam. 3.24. Mic. 7.17. Deut. 33.26.29. Ps. 144.13.15.1. Because they are reall possessors of God himself, as their Portion, who is infinitly better, both in himself and unto them, than all things besides. Upon what account soever men call those happy, who have the world at will, either in reference unto personal, or relative satisfactions, this may truly be added. Rather blessed is that people, who have the Lord for their God. The Master of the Mint (saith our Proverb) cannot want money, but there is much more truth in this conclusion of Davids faith.Psal. 23.1, 6. Qui habet habentem omnia, omnia hebet. Aug. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the daies of my life. The glorious Angels, and the glorified souls of just vnes made perfect in Heaven, are pinched with no lack, neither look they out after any creature-content, being satisfied with the enjoyment of God, who is All-sufficient.
2. Because of the manifold engagements of the Almighty, unto such who are really godly. Men are accounted rich by means of Bonds and Evidences for Lordships, though they have neither Land nor Money for the present in their own possession.1 Tim. 4.8. Erasmus legit foreign promissiones numero plurali. Beza. Psal. 84.11. Mat. 6.33. Rom. 8.28. Heb. 12.10. Iob 5.16. Ier. 25.6. Nihil accidere bono viro, mali potest. Seneca. 2 Cor. 4.18. & 12.7. Phil. 1.21. Etiam peccatum etiamsi non bonum, tamen in bonum etiam mors, vel maxime. Aug. Psal. 119.57. Lam. 3.24. Rom. 2.7, 10. R…v. 14 13. 1 Tim. 6.17. Prov. 13 5. Luk 12 19. Finem habeut, aut tuam, aut su…m. Bern. Col. 1.21, 23. 1 Tim. 4.7. foreign. Beza. P…ov. 28.21. Heb. 121 13. with Gen. 25.33. Amo. 8.5. Efficacius est vitae t…stimonium, quam linguae. Cyprian. Et validior est vox operis, quam oris. Bern. Quiescat lingua loquatur vita. Aug. Mat. 5.16. Qui vel potest, vel potuit, vel poterit inventri, qui esse nolit heatus. Omnes beatitudinem concupiscunt, sed quomodo ad cam perventant plurimi nesciunt. Aug. Now who can relate the various precious obligations of Gods love, unto every godly soul. God will be a Sun and Shield, he will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them who walk uprightly. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all other things shall be cast in unto you. And as all things good shall be conferred, so all things seemingly evil, shall be converted to their good, their best good. Their heavenly Father correcteth for their profit, that they may be partakers of his holiness. When they are engulfed into troubles, and overwhelmed with afflictions, no evil doth touch them: for, God intendeth them no hurt, but the worst of providences, whether from men persecuting, Devils tempting, or corruptions rebelling, whether they imbitter, or shorten life, yet they shall according to Gods purpose and promise effect infallibly, their internal and eternal advantage. The high rough windes do hasten the Ship to shore. Winter weather, frost, snow, and stormes, do bring on the expected Harvest.
3. And God All-sufficient, with all the Promises of his rich grace, shall abide as a Portion for his people to live upon for ever, when turned out of the possession of all creature accommodations. Thus Gods Servants have experienced in their lowest condition upon earth, when opposed and overpowered by men. And this God himself is engaged by the Word of his grace, to make good unto the godly in all Generations. Whereas, riches are uncertain. They have Eagles wings to fly away. Either they will leave their owners, or their owners leave them. And this is most true, in regard of all sublunary satisfactions, they perish in the using, like the sweet Flowers, which do wither by our smelling. As they profit but little in degree, so but for a short time in respect of duration. But here I may justly take up a Lamentation, because the most amongst the children of men, do by their practices oppose this Position, concerning the gain of godliness. For whence else is it, that men will sin for a piece of bread, as Esau sold his birth-right for a mess of Pottage, and had much rather be trading for worldly wealth, than conversing with God in holy Ordinances, that they might advance in godliness: yea, multitudes, who with their lips will applaude the waies of holiness, yet by their lives give the ly to the language of their tongues, in the judgment of all knowing ingenuous persons, who do converse with them; and therefore I heartily wish that those people would speak less and do more. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven. Although a desire of being happy, is the effect of natural self-love, planted in the hearts of the children of Adam: yet alas, alas, how few either take or know the right way to obtain it: therefore the good hand of Divine providence is thankfully to be acknowledged, in the many precious helps vouchsafed, both in former and later years, for our guidance and encouragemet through the Wilderness to the Land of Promise. And I humbly hope that through Gods blessing, this piece, being seriously perused, will prove profitable. As the subject Matter of the Book (being the whole Body of godliness in its Properties and Parts) may strongly plead for its entertainment: so the Name of the worthy Author will make way for its welcome amongst all such who knew him, either by communion with his Person, or by acquaintance with such of his Works as have heretofore been made publique. Much I could speak upon mine own personal knowledg, concerning this my honoured Friend, whose life was eminently answerable to this his Discourse of godliness, but I will forbear, for his works do praise him in the gate. Reader, the several Parts of this large Treatise (which are now collected into own Volume) were written in many Books by the Authors own hand, and thou hast them by way of Question and Answer, as he Himself had framed them: The first Chapter only I have presumed to prefix, because it was judged expedient that some such introduction should make way for the following Discourse.
I commend the whole to the blessing of God, that spiritual edification being thereby received, great glory may come to his Majesty, by the thanks givings of many through Jesus Christ,
In whom I am, Thy Friend and Servant SIMEON ASHE. April 27. 1657.