Riches of mercy to men in misery, or, Certain excellent treatises concerning the dignity…

First, Men will have a form of godliness: because there ¹must be something to satisfy that conscience which every man hath. For there is a natural conscience which the Apostle speaketh of, Rom. 2. 16. speaking of the Gentiles he saith this of them, their thoughts accusing or excusing one another. So that there is a natural conscience even in men that yet know not God aright. Now that natural conscience must have something to satisfy it, it ⟨p. 258⟩will not be at rest else: Now because men are unable to judge, and discern aright, therefore a form of godliness is enough for them, they are quieted, and satisfied and contented with that, although they have not the power thereof it self. Even as children you know are contented with counters, because they do not know their worth. Satan deals with us in this case as we do with them, when they cry, and are unquiet, such flight things of no moment contents us though they be as empty, and as beggarly as counters, and rattles, because men are not able to judge what the conscience will have: something it must have to satisfy it. he gives us that which is but a form, which is but counterfeit, that hath not the power, and life of godliness: and hence it is that men are contented with it.

First, Men will have a form of godliness: because there ¹must be something to satisfie that conscience which every man hath. For there is a natural conscience which the Apostle speaketh of, Rom. 2. 16. speaking of the Gentiles he saith this of them, their thoughts accusing or excusing one another. So that there is a natural conscience even in men that yet know not God aright. Now that natural conscience must have something to satisfie it, it ⟨p. 258⟩will not be at rest else: Now because men are unable to judge, and discern aright, therefore a form of godliness is enough for them, they are quieted, and satisfied and contented with that, although they have not the power thereof it self. Even as children you know are contented with counters, because they do not know their worth. Satan deals with us in this case as we do with them, when they cry, and are unquiet, such flight things of no moment contents us though they be as empty, and as beggarly as counters, and rattles, because men are not able to judge what the conscience will have: something it must have to satisfie it. he gives us that which is but a form, which is but counterfeit, that hath not the power, and life of godliness: and hence it is that men are contented with it.