A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ...…

Reader, if thou be but a man that hast the free use of thy reason, I have already removed the greatest impediment out of thy way, and said enough by confuting thy Infidelity, to prove that godliness is the Better part. Thou hast nothing left now to say against it, but what fighteth against Reason in the open light, and therefore I shall find an easier task with thy understanding in all that follows, though with thy corrupted Will and Concupiscence the conflict yet may be as strong.

REader, if thou be but a man that hast the free use of thy reason, I have already removed the greatest impediment out of thy way, and said enough by confuting thy Infidelity, to prove that godliness is the Better part. Thou hast nothing left now to say against it, but what fighteth against Reason in the open light, and therefore I shall find an easier task with thy understanding in all that follows, though with thy corrupted Will and Concupiscence the conflict yet may be as strong.

Well! if yet thou art not resolved, that Diligent Serious Godliness is that Good part that all should choose, and better then all thy worldly pleasures, I shall now discover it to thee in these particulars.

1. I shall show you that Godliness is Best for all Societies. 2. That it is Best for every Person. And that 1. It is the safest way. 2. It is the Honestest way. 3. That it is the most gainful way. 4. That it is the most Honourable way: and 5. That it is the Pleasant and Delightful way. Yea, that there is no other true Safety, Honesty, Profit, Honour or Delight but what is to be found in this way. I lay not only all the reputation of my understanding, but all the hopes and happiness of my soul upon the proof of this point. If I prove it not, I will confess my self a fool and undone for ever. But if I prove it, let the ungodly make ⟨p. 160⟩