The practise of piety directing a Christian how to walk that he may please God.The practise of pietie directing a Christian how to walke that he may please God.
Lewis Bayly d. 1631London: printed for John Hodgets, 1613London: printed for Iohn Hodgets, 1613
[36], 1031, [1] p. · 116k words · STC 1602 · ESTC S1173
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
CHRIST JESUS, the aPRINCE of Princes, bless your Highness with length of days, and an increase of all Graces, ⟨image 3⟩which may make you truly prosperous in this life, and eternally happy in that which is to come.
CHRIST IESVS, the aPRINCE of Princes, blesse your Highnesse with length of dayes, and an increase of all Graces, ⟨image 3⟩which may make you truely prosperous in this life, and eternally happy in that which is to come.
Jonathan shot bthree Arrows to drive David further off from Sauls fury: and this is the third Epistle which I have written to draw your Highness nearer to Gods favour, by directing your heart to begin (like Josiah) in your
youth to seek after the GOD of DAVID (and of JACOB) your Father: Not, but that I know, that your Highness doth this without mine admonition; but because
abound in every Grace, in faith and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to Gods Service and true Religion. Never was there more need of plain and unfeigned Admonitions: for the Comic in that saying seems but to have prophesied of our times, Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit. And no marvel; seeing that we are fallen into the dregs of Time, which being the last, must needs be the worst days. And how can there
⟨image 4⟩
be worse, seeing Vanity knows not how to be vainer, nor Wickedness how to be more wicked? And whereas heretofore those have been counted most holy, who have showed themselves most zealous in their Religion: they are now reputed most discreet, who can make the least profession of their Faith. And that these are the last days, appears evidently; because that Security of mens eternal state hath so overwhelmed (as CHRIST fore-told it should) all sorts:
more then lovers of God. And of those who pretend to love GOD. O GOD, what sanctified hart can but bleed to behold how seldom they come to prayers? how irreverently they hear Gods Word? what strangers they are at the Lords Table? what assiduous spectators they are at Stage-plays? where being Christians, they can sport themselves to hear the Vassals of the
So that he who would now adays seek in most Christians, for the power, shall scarce almost find the very show of godliness. Never was there more sinning, never less remorse for sin. Never was the Judge nearer to come,
never was there so little preparation for his coming. And if the Bride-groom should now come; how many (who think themselves wise enough, and full of all knowledge) would be found foolish Virgins, without one
⟨image 5⟩
drop of the Oil of saving Faith in their lamps?
Ionathan shot bthree Arrowes to driue Dauid further off from Sauls furie: and this is the third Epistle which I haue written to draw your Highnesse neerer to Gods fauour, by directing your heart to beginne (like Iosiah) in your cyouth to seeke after the GOD of DAVID (and of IACOB) your Father: Not, but that I know, that your Highnesse doth this without mine admonition; but because ⟨image 3⟩I *would with the Apostle, haue you, to dabound in euery Grace, in faith and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your loue to Gods Seruice and true Religion. Neuer was there more neede of plaine and vnfained Admonitions: for the Comicke in that saying seemes but to haue prophesied of our times, Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit. And no maruell; seeing that wee are fallen into the dregges of Time, which being the last, must needes be the worst dayes. And how can there ⟨image 4⟩be worse, seeing Vanitie knowes not how to be vainer, nor Wickednesse how to be more wicked? And whereas heretofore those haue beene counted most holy, who haue shewed themselues most zealous in their Religion: they are now reputed most discreet, who can make the least profession of their Faith. And that these are the last daies, appeares euidently; because that Securitie of mens eternall state hath so ouerwhelmed (as CHRIST fore-told it should) all sorts:5 that most who now liue,6 are become louers of pleasures ⟨image 4⟩more then louers of God. And of those who pretend to loue GOD. O GOD, what sanctified hart can but bleede to beholde how seldome they come to prayers? how irreuerently they heare Gods Word? what strangers they are at the Lords Table? what assiduous spectators they are at Stage-playes? where being Christians, they can sport themselues to heare the Vassals of the *Diuell scoffing Religion, and blasphemously abusing phrases of holy Scripture on their Stages: as familiarly as they vse ⟨image 5⟩their Tabacco-pipes in their bibbing-houses. 8So that he who would now adayes seeke in most Christians, for the power, shall scarse almost finde the very shew of godlinesse. Neuer was there more sinning, neuer lesse remorse for sinne. Neuer was the Iudge neerer to come, 9neuer was there so little preparation for his comming. And if the Bride-groome should now come; how many (who thinke themselues wise enough, and full of all knowledge) would be found foolish Virgines, without one ⟨image 5⟩droppe of the Oyle of sauing Faith in their lamps?
*Qui monet ut facias quod jam facis: ipse monendo, laudat, & hortatu con probat actae suo.Qui monet vt facias quod iam facis: ipse monendo, laudat, & hortatu cō probat actae suo.
*Exemplū accidit Domino test•▪ mu•ieris quae Theatrum ae••ij•, & inde cum Daemonio redij• Itaque in e• orcismo cùm oneraretur immundus spiritus, quod ausus est fide•em aggredi: constantèr & justissimè quidem (inquit) feci, in meo eam inueni. Tert. de spect. lib. cap. 26.Exemplū accidit Domino test•▪ mu•ieris quae Theatrum ae••ij•, & inde cum Daemonio redij• Itaque in e• orcismo cùm oneraretur immundus spiritus, quod ausus est fide•em aggredi: constantèr & iustissimè quidem (inquit) feci, in meo eam inueni. Tert. de spect. lib. cap. 26.
8Therefore Tertullian in cap. 26. calls the Stage diaboli Ecclesiam, and cathedram pestilentiarum.Therefore Tertullian in cap. 26. cals the Stage diaboli Ecclesiam, and cathedram pestilentiarum.
And if sometimes some good Book haps into their hands; or some good motion comes into their heads, whereby they are put in mind to consider the uncertainty of this life present; or how weak assurance they have of eternal life if this were ended: and how they have some secret sins, for which they must needs repent ⟨image 6⟩here, or be punished for them in Hell hereafter▪ Security then forthwith whispers the Hypocrite in the Ear, that though it be fit to think of these things; yet, It is not yet time, and that he is yet young enough (though he cannot but know that many millions as young as himself, are already in hell, for want of timely Repentance,) Presumption warrants him in the other Ear, that he may have time hereafter at his leisure to repent: and that howsoever others dye, yet he is ⟨image 6⟩far enough from death, and therefore may boldly take yet a longer time to enjoy his sweet pleasures, and to increase his wealth and greatness. And hereupon,1 like Solomons Sluggard, he yields himself to a little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to sleep in his former sins: till at last; Despair (Securities ugly hand-maid) comes in unlooked for, & shows him his Hour-glass, dolefully telling him, that his time is past, and that nothing now remains but ⟨image 7⟩to dye and be damned. Let not this seem strange to any, for too many have found it too true: & more without more grace, are like to be thus soothed to their end; and in the end snared to their endless perdition.
And if sometimes some good Booke haps into their hands; or some good motion comes into their heads, whereby they are put in minde to consider the vncertaintie of this life present; or how weake assurance they haue of eternall life if this were ended: and how they haue some secret sinnes, for which they must needes repent ⟨image 6⟩here, or be punished for them in Hell hereafter▪ Securitie then forthwith whispers the Hypocrite in the Eare, that though it be fit to thinke of these things; yet, It is not yet time, and that hee is yet young enough (though hee cannot but know that many millions as young as himselfe, are already in hell, for want of timely Repentance,) Presumption warrants him in the other Eare, that hee may haue time hereafter at his leasure to repent: and that howsoeuer others dye, yet hee is ⟨image 6⟩farre enough from death, and therefore may boldly take yet a longer time to enioy his sweete pleasures, and to encrease his vvealth and greatnesse. And hereupon,1 like Salomons Sluggard, he yeelds himselfe to a little more sleepe, a little more slumber, a little more folding of the hands to sleepe in his former sinnes: till at last; Despayre (Securities ougly hand-maide) comes in vnlooked for, & shewes him his Houre-glasse, dolefully telling him, that his time is past, and that nothing now remaines but ⟨image 7⟩to dye and be damn'd. Let not this seeme strange to any, for too many haue found it too true: & more without more grace, are like to be thus soothed to their end; and in the end snared to their endlesse perdition.
In my desire therefore of the common salvation;1 but especially of your Highness everlasting Welfare: I have endeavoured to extract out of the Chaos of endless Controversies, the old Practise of true PIETY, which flourished before these Controversies were hatched; which ⟨image 7⟩my poor labours in a short while comes now forth again the third time, under the gracious protection of your Highness favour; and by their entertainment seem not to be altogether unwelcome to the Church of Christ. If to be pious, hath in all ages been held true honour; how much more honourable is it, in so impious an age, to be the true Patron and Pattern of Piety? Piety made David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, Zerubbabel, Constantine, Theodosius, Edward the 6. ⟨image 8⟩Queen Elizabeth, Prince Henry, and other religious Princes, to be so honoured: that their names (since their deaths) smells in the Church of GOD, like a precious ointment, 2and their remembrance is sweet as Honey in all mouths, and as Music at a banquet of Wine: when as the lives of others, who have been godless and irreligious Princes; do rot and stink in the memory of Gods people. And what honour is it for great men to have great titles on earth; when God counts their Names unworthy ⟨image 8⟩to be written in his Book of life in heaven?
In my desire therefore of the common saluation;1 but especially of your Highnesse euerlasting Welfare: I haue endeuoured to extract out of the Chaos of endlesse Controuersies, the olde Practise of true PIETIE, which flourished before these Controuersies were hatched; which ⟨image 7⟩my poore labours in a short while comes now forth againe the third time, vnder the gracious protection of your Highnesse fauour; and by their entertainment seeme not to be altogether vnwelcome to the Church of Christ. If to be pious, hath in all ages beene held true honour; how much more honourable is it, in so impious an age, to be the true Patrone and Patterne of Pietie? Pietie made Dauid, Salomon, Iehosaphat, Ezechias, Iosias, Zerubbabel, Constantine, Theodosidus, Edward the 6. ⟨image 8⟩Queene Elizabeth, Prince Henry, and other religious Princes, to be so honoured: that their names (since their deaths) smels in the Church of GOD, like a precious oyntment, 2and their remembrance is sweet as Hony in all mouthes, and as Musicke at a banquet of Wine: when as the liues of others, who haue beene godlesse and irreligious Princes; doe rot and stinke in the memory of Gods people. And what honour is it for great men to haue great titles on earth; when God counts their Names vnworthy ⟨image 8⟩to be written in his Booke of life in heauen?
It is Piety that embalms a Prince his good name, and make his face to shine before men, and glorifieth his Soul among Angels. 1For as Moses face by often talking with GOD shined in the eyes of the People: so by frequent praying (which is our talking with God) and hearing the Word (which is Gods speaking unto us) we shall be changed from glory to glory, 2by the Spirit of the Lord, to the Image of the Lord. And ⟨image 9⟩seeing this life is uncertain to all; (especially to Princes) What argument is more fit both for Princes and People to study; then that which teacheth sinful man to deny himself by mortifying his corruption: that he may enjoy Christ the Author of his salvation? To renounce these false and momentany pleasures of the world, that he may attain to the true and eternal joys of Heaven? & to make them truly honourable before God in Piety, who are now only honourable before men in vanity? What charges ⟨image 9⟩soever we spend in earthly vanities, for the most part, they either dye before us, or we shortly die after them: but what we spend, like *Mary, in the Practise of Piety, shall remain our true memorial for ever. For, aPiety hath the promise of this life, and of that which shall never end. But bwithout Piety▪ there is no internal comfort to be found in Conscience, nor external peace to be looked for in the World, nor any eternal happiness to be hoped for in Heaven. How can Piety but promise to ⟨image 10⟩her self a zealous Patron of your Highness, being the sole Son and Heir of so gracious and great a Monarch, who is not only the defender of the faith by Title: but also a defender of the Faith in truth, as the Christian World hath taken notice, by his learned confuting of Bellarmines over-spreading Heresies: and his suppressing in the blade of Vorstius Athean blasphemies? And how easy it is for your Highness to equal, if not to exceed all that went before you in Grace and greatness, if ⟨image 10⟩you do but set your heart to seek and to serve God, considering how religiously your Highness hath been educated by godly and virtuous Governors and Tutors: 6as also that you live in such a time, wherein Gods providence and the Kings religious care, have placed over this Church (to the unspeakable comfort thereof) another venerable Jehoiada, that doth good in our Israel, both towards God, and towards his house:
It is Pietie that enbalmes a Prince his good name, and make his face to shine before men, and glorifieth his Soule among Angels. 1For as Moses face by often talking with GOD shined in the eyes of the People: so by frequent praying (which is our talking with God) and hearing the Word (which is Gods speaking vnto vs) we shall be changed from glory to glory, 2by the Spirit of the Lord, to the Image of the Lord. And ⟨image 9⟩seeing this life is vncertaine to all; (especially to Princes) What argument is more fit both for Princes and People to study; then that which teacheth sinfull man to deny himselfe by mortifying his corruption: that hee may enioy Christ the Author of his saluation? To renounce these false and momentanie pleasures of the world, that he may attaine to the true and eternall ioyes of Heauen? & to make them truely honourable before God in Piety, who are now onely honourable before men in vanitie? What charges ⟨image 9⟩soeuer wee spend in earthly vanities, for the most part, they eyther dye before vs, or wee shortly die after them: but what we spend, like *Mary, in the Practise of Pietie, shall remaine our true memoriall for euer. For, aPietie hath the promise of this life, and of that which shall neuer end. But bwithout Pietie▪ there is no internal comfort to be found in Conscience, nor externall peace to be looked for in the World, nor any eternall happinesse to be hoped for in Heauen. How can Pietie but promise to ⟨image 10⟩her selfe a zealous Patrone of your Highnesse, being the sole Sonne and Heyre of so gracious and great a Monarch, who is not onely the defender of the faith by Title: but also a defender of the Faith in truth, as the Christian World hath taken notice, by his learned confuting of Bellarmines ouer-spreading Heresies: and his suppressing in the blade of Vorstius Athean blasphemies? And how easie it is for your Highnesse to equall, if not to exceede all that went before you in Grace and greatnesse, if ⟨image 10⟩
bPrincipibus ad salutem so a satis verae est Pietas: abs que illa verò nihil est vel exercitus, vel im•eratoris fortitudo, vel apparatus reliquus Zozom. Eccle. hist. lib. 9. cap. 1
6The Honourable Sir. Robert Carey Knight, and the religious Lady Carey his Wife. Mr. Thomas Murray. Sir James Fullerton.The Honourable Sir. Robert Carey Knight, and the religious Lady Carey his Wife. Mr. Thomas Murray. Sir Iames Fullerton.
1of whom your Highness at all times, in all doubts, may learn the sincerity ⟨image 11⟩of Religion, for the Salvation of your inward Soul, and the wisest counsel for the direction of your outward state. And let that Exhortation of David to his Son Solomon be ever in your Princely mind. 2And thou Solomon my Son, know thou the GOD of thy Father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee, but ⟨image 11⟩if thou forsake him, he vvill cast thee off for ever.
1of whom your Highnesse at all times, in all doubts, may learne the sinceritie ⟨image 11⟩of Religion, for the Saluation of your inward Soule, and the vvisest counsell for the direction of your outward state. And let that Exhortation of Dauid to his Sonne Salomon be euer in your Princely minde. 2And thou Salomon my Sonne, know thou the GOD of thy Father, and serue him with a perfect heart, and with a willing minde: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and vnderstandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seeke him, hee will be found of thee, but ⟨image 11⟩if thou forsake him, hee vvill cast thee off for euer.
To help you the better to seek and to serve this GOD Almighty, who must be your chief Protector in life, and only Comfort in death: I here once again, on my bended knees, offer my old Mite new stamped into your Highness hands: daily for your Highness offering up unto the most HIGH, my humblest prayers, that as you grow in age and stature:1 so you may (like your Master) increase in Wisdom ⟨image 12⟩and favour, with God and all good men. This suite will I never cease: In all other matters I will ever rest
To helpe you the better to seeke and to serue this GOD Almightie, who must be your chiefe Protector in life, and onely Comfort in death: I here once againe, on my bended knees, offer my olde Mite new stampt into your Highnesse hands: daily for your Highnesse offering vp vnto the most HIGH, my humblest prayers, that as you grow in age and stature:1 so you may (like your Master) encrease in Wisedome ⟨image 12⟩and fauour, with God and all good men. This suite will I neuer cease: In all other matters I will euer rest
you doe but set your heart to seeke and to serue God, considering how religiously your Highnesse hath beene educated by godly and vertuous Gouernours and Tutors:
as also that you liue in such a time, wherin Gods prouidence and the Kings religious care, haue placed ouer this Church (to the vnspeakeable comfort thereof) another venerable Iehoiada, that doth good in our Israel, both towards God, and towards his house:
