Certain disputations of right to sacraments, and the true nature of visible Christianity defending…

Besides this principal sense, there are some others common, both in the defect, and in the excess; 1. Among Heathens he is called Pious, 1. who is a devout honourer of their Gods, though Idols; 2. or who is merciful to people in misery; 3. or who is an Honourer of Parents and Superiors, or who is conscientious according to their insufficient light. 2. Among ⟨p. 250⟩Christians, 1. Some call any man Godly, that is, zealous in Religious matters, though so unsound in the fundamentals, that he worshippeth he knows not what, or so ignorant about Gods very nature and his relations to him, that it is not God indeed as God that he worshippeth: and though he be actually incapable of true Love and Devotedness to God, for want of right conceivings of him, even in those respects that are essential to the Object of the Christian faith. 2. Some call a man Godly that makes a sound Confession, and knows the Christian Doctrine, and saith he believeth it, though he notoriously manifest that his Will doth not consent, that the God whom he confesseth shall be his God, (his Ruler and Felicity,) nor the Christ whom he confesseth, shall be his Saviour on his own terms; nor the Holy Ghost his Guide and Sanctifier. 3. On the other side, Many will call no Man Godly, that is not noted for some eminent difference, in Parts and Zeal, from others that live about him. If they see him neglect some Duties that he is bound to, as not to come to some private Meetings that are used regularly and to Edification, or not to Read, or Hear so frequently or diligently as he should, or not to Pray in his family (which in some Cases its possible a Godly man may neglect), or if he commit some sins, which yet its possible a Godly man may commit, they account him ungodly, though possibly it may be otherwise in the main▪ so that no man is by them esteemed Godly, unless he go beyond the weakest sort of true Christians. As for them that call none Godly but their own parties, or sect-fellows, I will pass them, as not worthy our further mention.

Among all these senses, it is the first in which we here take the word [Godly] so that it is only Christian Godliness that we mean, which is a sincere believing in God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, even with true intellectual Assent, and hearty Consent: from which heart-Godliness, there follows that sincere Obedience to the will of God (to first and second Table) which is the proper fruit of it: and Repentance after disobedience known. It is therefore such a Godliness as is proper to them that have the promise of Justification and Salvation that we mean, comprehending Repentance towards God, and