A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

Our discourse hath thus far dwelt on godliness in the latitude. In a stricter acception, I find it especially consisting in two things; Adoration and Imitation of GOD.

Our discourse hath thus farre dwelt on godlinesse in the latitude. In a stricter acception, I find it especially consisting in two things; Adoration and Imitation of GOD.

Adoration of the true God in a right manner, is Godliness. Nature hath written in every heart, that a Superior power is to be worshipped; though it could not declare, Cui debitum; what power that was which might challenge it. Out of this Ignorance sprung that multitude of imaginary gods; which Saint Paul calls ⟨p. 145⟩^fDumb Idols. Now he that is dumb, is also commonly deaf: they could neither speak nor hear, Psal. 115.5. They have mouths, and speak not: they have ears, and hear not. To avoid this sin, God gave an express Law; Thou shalt have no other Gods but me. Which negative precept especially forbids four things. 1. The having no God at all, as the Atheists;^g The fool says in his heart, There is no God. 2. The having strange gods, and not the true; as had the Gentiles: gods according to the number of their Cities: every twinkling star was held a deity; yea, many so gross and base gods, that there were not worse creatures in the world, except themselves. 3. The having strange gods with the true, as had the Samaritans; They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, 2 Kin. 17.33. they sware by the Lord, and they sware by Malcham, Zeph. 1.5. They choose new gods; then was war in the gates. 4. The having the true God, but not a-right, according to his will and Word, as Heretics. For this is the main difference between Heresy and Idolatry, that serves the true God with a false worship, this serves false gods with a true worship: Both hateful.