The marrow of the oracles of God. Or, divers treatisesThe marrovv of the oracles of God. Or, diuers treatises

TO THE NOBLE AND RELIGIOUS Lady, the Lady Mary Vere, increase of joy and peace in believing.

TO THE NOBLE AND RELIGIOVS Lady, the Lady Mary Vere, increase of ioy and peace in beleeuing.

MADAM,

IT was most truly said by the Apostle of the Gentiles: Godliness is great gain; Importing thereby, that if a man would be incited to the care to get any thing, for the profit might come thereby, it should be godliness. No skill in the world being comparable to that skill of being able to lead a godly life, for the sure ⟨image 217⟩[…] ⟨p. 403⟩[…] ⟨p. 404⟩and speedy, and matchless gain it will bring unto a man. For (besides that it only hath the promise of a better life) godliness were to be desired, and with all possible diligence to be sought after, for the very gain of it in this life. For (to omit the consideration of the favour it breeds with God, and the unspeakable treasures of the grace of Christ, which always go with it) it were to be desired for the immediate effects it works upon men in it self. For if men love themselves, what should they desire more then that which tends to make themselves perfect? What should it advantage a man to have all things good about him, if himself be ill and vile? If ⟨p. 405⟩men, that were only guided by the light of nature, could (some of them) see clearly, that nothing was so good for a man, as to live well (when yet they knew no other living well, then what was prescribed in their naked and natural Ethics) then how much more happy must it be for a man to live a Religious life, by which he is brought more near to God himself, and far above the condition of any natural man? Yea if there were no more to be had by it, but the peace and rest it brings unto a mans heart, it were above all outward things to be desired. For no man walks safely, that walks not religiously; nor can any actions of men produce any sound