An humble apology for non-conformists with modest and serious reflections on the Friendly debate…

Answ. 'Tis very strange if Preferment, if great places of Power and Profit should indeed make men more truly and seriously godly, and particularly should by an Antiparistasis produce the great work of Self-denial, Mortification, &c. We will not at present compare Godliness; but this I think, That 'tis no demonstration of a higher degree of Godliness to jeer at Godliness, though in a Dissenter, and accompanied with some Weaknesses and imperfections, to make the door to the Theatre and Stage so wide, and to the Church and Pulpit so strait and narrow: Certainly the true right perfect godly man, is neither your Nonconformist godly man, nor Conformist as described in the Debate; but made up of both put together: whose Character we ⟨p. 36⟩have in a great measure in the 165th page of the Treatise, in my opinion the best page in the Book: Where the Power of Godliness is set forth after this manner:

Answ. 'Tis very strange if Preferment, if great places of Power and Profit should indeed make men more truly and seriously godly, and particularly should by an Antiparistasis produce the great work of Self-denyal, Mortification, &c. We will not at present compare Godliness; but this I think, That 'tis no demonstration of a higher degree of Godliness to jeer at Godliness, though in a Dissenter, and accompanied with some Weaknesses and imperfections, to make the door to the Theatre and Stage so wide, and to the Church and Pulpit so strait and narrow: Cer••inly the true right perfect godly man, is neither your Nonconformist godly man, nor Conformist as described in the Debate; but made up of both put together: whose Character we ⟨p. 36⟩have in a great measure in the 165th page of the Treatise, in my opinion the best page in the Book: Where the Power of Godliness is set forth after this manner:

A truly godly man, (who hath not only a name to live, &c is dead; who is a Jew not only outwardly in the flesh, but inwardly in the Spirit; who hath not only the Form, but the Power of Godliness in him) is such a one as denies himself for God and his neighbour; that sets not his heart upon getting Riches, and is humble and modest; that reverenceth his Governors, and studies in word and deed to preserve their Authority; that humours his Parent though not of their Opinion, or perhaps ungodly that is sensible of Benefits, and grateful to Bent factors; that studies Purity and Chastity; that […] kind and tenderly affected to his Relations; th keeps his Faith, and performs his Promises, though to his own damage; that is easily reconciled, if […] have been grossly injured; that speaks well (if he can) of his Neighbour, and is not ready to believe ever Story of them; that endeavours to preserve an ev temper; that commands his Passions; that is stea and uniform in his Actions; that is meek, and su missive, peaceable and humble; that loves Virtue whore-ever he sees it, and doth not despise or reproach it under the name of mere Morality; that is faithful to his trust, sober, advised, and considerate in his undertakings; that hath no opinion of himself, at loves God above all things; that chooseth rather