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

There are three sorts of Good that men have to look after. The first is the security of their Life and Being; the second is their moral well-being; and the third is, their Natural well-being. This last also is divided into three branches, and consisteth in our Profit, our Honour, and our Pleasure.

So that here are five several sorts of Goodness to be considered of; and you will find that Holiness is Best, beyond all comparison, in each respect. 1. In respect of Safety. 2. In point of Honesty. 3. In point of Gain. 4. In point of Honour. And, 5. In point of Pleasure or Delight. If I prove not every one of these, then tell me, I promised more then I could perform: But if I do prove them, I look that you that Read it, should promise presently to come in to God, and a Holy life, and faithfully perform it.

1. And that HOLINESS IS THE SAFEST WAY, I prove thus. 1. That man is in a safer state that is delivered from the power of Satan, then he that is in his bondage, ⟨p. 197⟩and taken captive by him at his will. But all the unsanctified are in this captivity, and all the sanctified are delivered out of it; as the Scripture most expressly tells us, Ephes. 2. 1, 2. 3 [And you hath be quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the Power of the air, the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: among whom we also bad our conversation in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh, and of the mind, &c.] So 2 Tim. 2. 25, 26. [In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God eradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.] And