_Reason_ 1. Because it hath the noblest object, that is, God himselfe. 2. Because it doth most of all perfect all other vertues, whiles it refers them and all their acts to a divine beginning, and a divine end. For godlinesse subjects the minde to God in all things, so that it acknowledgeth God to be the author of all good, _from whom every good and perfect gift commeth_, and makes him the chiefest good and the last end to whom all our actions are to be directed. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to reprove those, that attribute so much to some morall and humane vertues, that they preferre them before godlinesse. 2. To exhort us, continually to exercise our selves both in publick and in private, to increase this godlinesse in our mindes. Doctrine 10. _With Godlinesse towards God we should joyne love towards our neighbour._ _Reason._ Because godlinesse it selfe commands and begets this love. For we love our neighbour with Christian love, when we love him for Gods sake, not for our own, or any worldly respect. Now godlinesse produceth this love towards our neighbour, 1. Because it teacheth us to obey Gods Commandement, who hath commanded us to love our neighbour. 2. Because it teacheth us to love the image of God, and every gift of God in our neighbour. 3. Because it brings us to imitate God himselfe in the communicating of good. Therefore godlinesse, which is separated from charity, is not true godlinesse; and that charity which is separated from godlinesse, is not true charity, but either hypocrisie, or some humane civility. _Vse_ 1. This may serve to exhort us, to shew and adorne our godlinesse towards God, by our love towards our neighbour. 2. To reprove those, that make shew of much godlinesse towards God, when in the meane time they take all occasions to wrong their neighbours, if so be they might by any means advantage themselves thereby. Doctrine 11. _This love should be extended unto all men, but chiefly to be used towards the brethren._ For so they are distinctly set downe, verse 7. _Brotherly kindnesse and charity_: Both of these is proper and peculiar to Christians. For the Christian alone loves all, even his enemies, and he alone also loves the brethren, that is, the household of faith. We should love all, 1. As they are partakers of the same naturall good with us. 2. As they are capable also of the same spirituall good. And we should love the faithfull also, as they are partakers of the same spirituall good with us. _Use._ This may serve to exhort us, to edifie our selves in this charity, which is the character of Christianity. * * * * * Verse 8. _For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitfull in the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ._ The Analysis.