To the Reader
Christian Reader,
The Soul being so precious, and Salvation so glorious, it is the highest point of Prudence, to make preparations for another world: That there is an Inheritance in Light, is beyond all dispute, and that there must be a suitability and fitness for it, is in Sacred Writ most strenuously asserted. If any shall ask, who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? The answer is, He that has clean hands, and a pure heart. To describe such a person, is the work of this ensuing Treatise: Here you have the godly Man's Effigies, and see him portrayed in his full Lineaments: What a rare thing is godliness! It is not airy and empty, but solid, and such as will take up the heart and spirits: Godliness consists in an exact harmony, between holy Principles and Practices: O that all into whose hands this Book shall providentially come, may be so enamored with Piety, as to fall to the hearty embracing of it: So sublime is Godliness, that it cannot be delineated in its perfect radiance and luster, though an Angel should take a Pencil: Godliness is our wisdom. Job 28:28. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. Policy without Piety, is profound madness: Godliness is a Spiritual Queen, which whosoever Marries, is sure of a large Dowry with her. 1 Timothy 4:8. Godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. Godliness gives assurance, yea holy triumph in God, and how sweet is that? It was Latimer's Speech, when sometimes I sit alone, and have a settled assurance of the state of my Soul, and know that God is my God, I can laugh at all troubles, and nothing can daunt me: Godliness puts a man in heaven before his time. Christian, aspire after Piety, it is a lawful Ambition: Look upon the Saints' Characters here, and never leave until you have gotten them stamped upon your own Soul. This is the grand business that should swallow up your time and thoughts: Other Speculations, and Quaint Notions, are nothing to the Soul: They are like Wafers which have fine works printed upon them, and are curiously damasked to the eye, but are thin, and yield little nourishment. But I will not stay you longer in the Porch; should I have enlarged upon any one Character of the Godly Man, it would have required a Volume, but designing to go over many, I have contracted my Sails, and given you only a brief Summary of things: If this Piece (however undigested) may conduce to the good of Souls, I have my desire; which that the God of Grace will effectually accomplish, shall be the Prayer of him who is
Yours in all Christian affection, Thomas Watson. February 26, 1666.
Christian Reader,
The soul is precious, and salvation is glorious — making preparations for the next life is the highest act of wisdom. That there is an inheritance in light is beyond all dispute, and Scripture most forcefully insists that we must be suited and fitted for it. If anyone asks, who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? The answer is, he who has clean hands and a pure heart. Describing such a person is the purpose of this work. Here you will find the godly man's portrait, drawn out in full. What a rare thing godliness is! It is not hollow or empty, but solid — the kind of thing that fills the heart and spirit completely. Godliness consists in an exact harmony between holy beliefs and holy living. May all who come across this book fall so in love with piety that they embrace it wholeheartedly. Godliness is so sublime that even an angel taking up a pen could not fully capture its perfect radiance and splendor. Godliness is our wisdom. Job 28:28: The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. Cleverness without piety is profound madness. Godliness is like a spiritual queen — whoever marries her is sure to receive a great inheritance with her. 1 Timothy 4:8: Godliness has the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. Godliness gives assurance — even holy triumph in God — and how sweet that is! Latimer once said: Sometimes when I sit alone and have a settled assurance about the state of my soul, and know that God is my God, I can laugh at all troubles, and nothing can discourage me. Godliness places a man in heaven before his time. Christian, reach for piety — it is a worthy ambition. Study the saints' characteristics described here, and do not stop until you have them stamped upon your own soul. This is the great business that should consume your time and thoughts. Other theories and clever ideas count for nothing with the soul. They are like wafers with fine designs pressed on them — beautiful to the eye, but thin and offering little nourishment. But I will not keep you any longer at the door; had I expanded on any single characteristic of the godly man, it would have required a full volume, but since I intend to cover many, I have pulled in my sails and given you only a brief summary. If this work — however rough — proves useful to souls, I have my desire; and that God of Grace would bring this about effectively shall be the prayer of him who is
Yours in all Christian affection, Thomas Watson. February 26, 1666.
