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

1. I have already told you, that God who is the most infallible Judge, hath given his sentence on his peoples side. If you will think your selves that it is not those that Thieves and Harlots call Honest that are so likely to be Honest, as those that wise men and virtuous men call so: We have then far greater Reason to conclude, that it is not those that you call Honest, that are so fit to be judged such, as those that God calls so. How say you? will you not freely give us leave to take Gods judgements or Word before yours? If not, we will take leave. And God calls all the ungodly by the name of Evil and Wicked men! and the godly are they that he calleth Upright, Good, and Honest. The whole Scripture, you know, if you know any thing of it, speaketh in this language. Luke 8. 15. It is they that hear the Word and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience, that receive it into honest and good hearts. This is the life that is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, which is [in all Godliness and Honesty.] These are inseparable, Godliness and Honesty. 1 Tim. 2. 2, 3. Indeed the Greek word here is that which signifieth gravity and seemliness of behaviour: but that which is frequently translated [good] is it which signifieth the truly Honest. And you know none of the ungodly are ever called Good in Scripture, but clean contrary. Prov. 11. 6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.] So vers. 18. 19, 20. [The wicked worketh a deceitful work, but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. As righteousness tendeth to life, so he that pursueth evil, doth it to his own death. They that are of a froward heart are an abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way, are his delight.] Everywhere you see how God abhorreth the ungodly, and extolleth those that love and fear him. Christ calleth the ungodly [Evil men, that ••t of the ⟨p. 207⟩evil treasure of their hearts do bring forth evil things] Matth. 12. 35. All is evil; the life evil, the heart evil, and the man evil.