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.
Lastly, if Satan shall persuade thee, that thou hast been doubting a long time, and that it is best for thee now to despair; seeing thy sins increase, and thy judgements draweth near; meditate,
Lastly, if Satan shall perswade thee, that thou hast been doubting a long time, and that it is best for thee now to despaire; seeing thy sinnes encrease, and thy iudgements draweth neere; meditate,
1 That no sin (though never so great) should be a cause to move any Christian to despair, so long as Gods mercy, by so many millions of degrees is greater: and that ⟨p. 904⟩every penitent and believing sinner, hath the pardon of all his sins confirmed by the Word and Oath of GOD; two immutable things wherein it is unpossible that God should lye. 12His Word is that at what time soever, 3a sinner, whosoever, doth repent of his sin whatsoever, (for both time, & sins, and sinners are indefinite) from the bottom of his heart; God will blot forth all his sins out of his remembrance, that they shall be mentioned unto him no more. If we will not take his word (which GOD forbid we should doubt of) he hath given us his oath: As I live, I desire not the death of the wicked, 4but that the wicked turn from his way and live: as if he had said; ⟨p. 905⟩Will ye not believe my word? I swear by my life, that I delight not to damn any sinner for his sins, but rather to save him upon his conversion and repentance. The meditation hereof, moved Tertullian to exclaim: Oh, how happy are we,
when God sweareth that he will not our damnation! Oh, what miserable wretches are we, if we will not believe God, when he sweareth this truth unto us! Listen, O drooping spirit, whose soul is assailed with waves of faithless despair: how happy were it to see many like thee, and Hezekiah? (who mourn like doves for the sense of sin,
and chatter like Cranes and Swallows for the fear of Gods anger) rather
⟨p. 906⟩
then to behold many who die like beasts without any feeling of their own estate, or any fear of Gods wrath, or tribunal seat, before which they are to appear? Comfort thy self, O languishing soul; for if this earth hath any for whom Christ spilt his blood on the Cross? thou assuredly art one. Cheer up therefore thy self. in the all-sufficient atonement of the blood of the Lamb▪
which speaketh better things then that of Abel. And pray for those, who never yet obtained the grace, to have such a sense with detestation of sin. Thou art one indeed, for whom Christ dyed; and from whom a wounded spirit (judging rather
⟨p. 907⟩
according to his feeling, then his faith) hath wrung that doleful voice of Christ, My God, my God,
1 That no sinne (though neuer so great) should bee a cause to moue any Christian to despaire, so long as Gods mercy, by so many millions of degrees is greater: and that ⟨p. 904⟩euery penitent and beleeuing sinner, hath the pardon of all his sinnes confirmed by the Word and Oath of GOD; two immutable things wherein it is vnpossible that God should lye. 12His Word is that at what time soeuer, 3a sinner, whosoeuer, doth repent of his sin whatsoeuer, (for both time, & sinnes, and sinners are indefinite) from the bottome of his heart; God will blot forth all his sinnes out of his remembra•ce, that they shall be mentioned vnto him no more. If we will not take his word (which GOD forbid wee should doubt of) he hath giuen vs his oath: As I liue, I desire not the death of the wicked, 4but that the wicked turne from his way and liue: as if he had said; ⟨p. 905⟩Will yee not beleeue my word? I sweare by my life, that I delight not to damne any sinner for his sinnes, but rather to saue him vpon his conuersion and repentance. The meditation hereof, moued Tertullian to exclaime: Oh, how happy are wee, 5when God sweareth that hee will not our damnation! Oh, what miserable wretches are wee, if wee will not beleeue God, when he sweareth this truth vnto vs! Listen, O drooping spirit, whose soule is assailed with waues of faithlesse despaire: how happy were it to see many like thee, and Hezechias? (who mourne like doues for the sence of sinne, 6and chatter like Cranes and Swallowes for the feare of Gods anger) rather ⟨p. 906⟩then to behold many who die like beasts without any feeling of their owne estate, or any feare of Gods wrath, or tribunall seate, before which they are to appeare? Comfort thy selfe, O languishing soule; for if this earth hath any for whom Christ spilt his bloud on the Crosse? thou assuredly art one. Cheere vp therfore thy selfe. in the all-sufficient attonement of the bloud of the Lambe▪7which speaketh better things then that of Abel. And pray for those, who neuer yet obtained the grace, to haue such a sense with detestation of sinne. Thou art one indeed, for whom Christ dyed; and from whom a wounded spirit (iudging rather ⟨p. 907⟩according to his feeling, then his faith) hath wrung that dolefull voice of Christ, My God, my God, 8why hast thou forsaken me? And doubt not but ere long thou shalt as truely raigne with him,9 as now thou doest suffer with him:10 for Yea and Amen hath spoken it.
5O faelices nos, quorum causà turat Deus! O miserrimos nos sine Deo quidem juranti credimus! Tertul.O faelices nos, quorum causà turat Deus! O miserrimos nos sine Deo quidem iuranti credimus! Tertul.
No sin bars a man from salvation but only incredulity, 1and impenitency: nothing makes the sin against the holy Ghost unpardonable, but want of repentance. Thy unfeigned desire to repent, is as acceptable unto God, as the perfectest repentance, that thou couldest wish to perform unto him.
No sinne barres a man from saluation but onely incredulity, 1and impenitencie: nothing makes the sin against the holy Ghost vnpardonable, but want of repentance. Thy vnfained desire to repent, is as acceptable vnto God, as the perfectst repentance, that thou couldest wish to performe vnto him.
Meditate on these Evangelical comforts, and thou shalt see that in the very agony ⟨p. 908⟩of death; GOD will so assist thee with his spirit, that when Sa•an looketh for the greatest victory he shall receive the foulest foil: yea when the eye-strings are broken, that thou canst not see the light, Jesus Christ will appear unto thee to comfort thy soul, 1and his holy Angels will carry thee into his heavenly kingdom. Then shall thy friends behold thee like Manoahs Angel doing wonders indeed; when they shall see a frail man in his greatest weakness (by the mere assistance of Gods Spirit) overcoming the strength of sin, the bitterness of death, and all the power of Satan; and in the fire of Faith, and perfume of Prayer, ascend up ⟨p. 909⟩with Angels victoriously into Heaven.
Meditate on these Euangelicall comforts, and thou shalt see that in the very agony ⟨p. 908⟩of death; GOD will so assist thee with his spirit, that when Sa•an looketh for the greatest victory he shall receiue the foulest foile: yea when the eye-strings are broken, that thou canst not see the light, Iesus Christ will appeare vnto thee to comfort thy soule, 1and his holy Angels will carry thee into his heauenly kingdome. Then shall thy friends behold thee like Manoahs Angell doing wonders indeed; when they shall see a fraile man in his greatest weakenesse (by the meere assistance of Gods Spirit) ouercomming the strength of sin, the bitternesse of death, and all the power of Satan; and in the fire of Faith, and perfume of Praier, ascend vp ⟨p. 909⟩with Angels victoriously into Heauen.
They who come to visit the sick must have a special care not to stand dumb and staring in the sick persons face to disquiet him; nor yet to speak idly, and to ask unprofitable questions as most do.
THey who come to visit the sicke must haue a speciall care not to stand dumbe and staring in the sicke persons face to disquiet him; nor yet to speake idly, and to aske vnprofitable questions as most doe.
If they see therefore that the sick party is like to die, let them not dissemble: but lovingly, and discreetly admonish him of his weakness, and to prepare for eternal life. One hour well spent, when a mans life is almost ⟨p. 910⟩out-spent: may gain a man the assurance of eternal life. Sooth him not with the vain hope of this life: least thou betray his soul to eternal death. Admonish him plainly of his estate, and ask him briefly, these or the like questions.
If they see therefore that the sicke party is like to die, let them not dissemble: but louingly, and discreetly admonish him of his weakenesse, and to prepare for eternall life. One houre well spent, when a mans life is almost ⟨p. 910⟩out-spent: may gaine a man the assurance of eternal life. Sooth him not vvith the vaine hope of this life: least thou betray his soule to eternall death. Admonish him plainely of his estate, and aske him briefly, these or the like questions.
Doest thou believe that Almighty God the Trinity of Persons in unity of Essence, hath by his power, made heaven and earth, and all things therein? and that he doth still by his divine providence govern the same So that nothing comes ⟨p. 911⟩to pass in the world, nor to thy self: but what his divine hand and counsel had determined before to be done.
DOest thou beleeue that Almighty God the Trinity of Persons in vnity of Essence, hath by his power, made heauen and earth, and all things therein? and that he doth still by his diuine prouidence gouerne the same So that nothing comes ⟨p. 911⟩to passe in the world, nor to thy selfe: but what his diuine hand and counsell had determined before to be done.
Doest thou confess that thou hast transgressed, and broken the holy commandments of Almighty God, in thought, word, and deed; and hast deserved for breaking his holy laws, the Curse of God, which containeth all the miseries of this life, and everlasting torments in Hell fire, when this life is ended, if so be that GOD should deal with thee according to thy deserts?
Doest thou confesse that thou hast transgressed, and broken the holy commandements of Almighty God, in thought, word, and deede; and hast deserued for breaking his holy lawes, the Curse of God, which containeth all the miseries of this life, and euerlasting torments in Hell fire, when this life is ended, if so be that GOD should deale with thee according to thy deserts?
3 Art thou not sorry in thy heart, that thou hast so broken his Laws, and neglected his service, and worship: and so much followed ⟨p. 912⟩the world, and thine own vain pleasures? And wouldest thou not lead a holier life, if thou wert to begin again?
3 Art thou not sorry in thy heart, that thou hast so broken his Lawes, and neglected his seruice, and worship: and so much followed ⟨p. 912⟩the world, and thine owne vaine pleasures? And wouldest thou not leade a holier life, if thou wert to begin againe?
4 Doest thou not from thy heart desire to be reconciled unto GOD in Jesus Christ his blessed son thy Mediator:1 who is at the right hand of God in heaven, now appearing for thee in the sight of God, and making request unto him for thy Soul?2
4 Doest thou not from thy heart desire to be reconciled vnto GOD in Iesus Christ his blessed sonne thy Mediator:1 who is at the right hand of God in heauen, now appearing for thee in the sight of God, and making request vnto him for thy Soule?2
5 Doest thou renounce all confidence in all other Mediators or Intercessors, Saints or Angels, believing that Jesus Christ the only Mediator of the new Testament, 1is able perfectly to save them that come unto God by him, 2seeing he ever liveth to make ⟨p. 913⟩intercession for them? And wilt thou with David say unto Christ; Whom have I in heaven but thee? 3And there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee?
5 Doest thou renounce all confidence in all other Mediators or Intercessors, Saints or Angels, beleeuing that Iesus Christ the only Mediator of the new Testament, 1is able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him, 2seeing he euer liueth to make ⟨p. 913⟩intercession for them? And wilt thou with Dauid say vnto Christ; Whom haue I in heauen but thee? 3And there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee?
6 Doest thou confidently believe and hope to be saved, by the only merits of that bloody death and passion which thy Saviour Jesus Christ hath suffered for thee? not putting any hope of salvation in thine own merits: nor in any other means or creatures? being assuredly persuaded;1 that there is not salvation in any other: And that there is none other name under heaven, whereby thou must be saved.
6 Doest thou confidently beleeue and hope to be saued, by the onely merits of that bloody death and passion which thy Sauiour Iesus Christ hath suffered for thee? not putting any hope of saluation in thine owne merits: nor in any other meanes or creatures? being assuredly perswaded;1 that there is not saluation in any other: And that there is none other name vnder heauen, whereby thou must be saued.
7 Doest thou heartily forgive all wrongs, and offences ⟨p. 914⟩done or offered unto thee,1 by any manner of person whatsoever? And doest thou as willingly (from thy heart) ask forgiveness of them, whom thou hast grievously wronged in word or deed? And dost thou cast out of thy heart, all malice and hatred, which thou hast borne to any body; that thou mayest appear before the face of Christ (the Prince of Peace) in perfect love and charity?2
7 Doest thou heartily forgiue all vvrongs, and offences ⟨p. 914⟩done or offered vnto thee,1 by any manner of person whatsoeuer? And doest thou as willingly (from thy heart) aske forgiuenesse of them, whom thou hast grieuously wronged in word or deede? And dost thou cast out of thy heart, all malice and hatred, which thou hast borne to any body; that thou maist appeare before the face of Christ (the Prince of Peace) in perfect loue and charitie?2
8 Doth thy Conscience tell thee of any thing, which thou hast wrongfully taken, and dost still with-hold, from any Widow or fatherless children, or from any other person whomsoever? Be assured that unless thou shalt restore, ⟨p. 915⟩like Zacheus, those goods and Land (if thou be able,) thou canst not truly repent, and without true repentance thou canst not be saved, nor look CHRIST in the face when thou shalt appear before his Judgement-seat.
8 Doth thy Conscience tell thee of any thing, which thou hast wrongfully taken, and dost still with-hold, from any Widow or fatherlesse children, or from any other person whomsoeuer? Be assured that vnlesse thou shalt restore, ⟨p. 915⟩like Zacheus, those goods and Land (if thou be able,) thou canst not truely repent, and without true repentance thou canst not be saued, nor looke CHRIST in the face when thou shalt appeare before his Iudgement-seate.
