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.
O Eternal GOD, and heavenly father, if I were not taught and assured by the promises of thy Gospel, and the examples of Peter, 1Magdalene, the Publican, the Prodigal child, and many other penitent sinners:2 that thou art so full of compassion, and so ready to forgive the greatest sinners,3 who are heaviest laden with sin,4 at what time soever they return unto thee with penitent hearts, lamenting their sins, and imploring thy grace: I should despair for mine own sins, and be ⟨p. 421⟩utterly discouraged, from presuming to come unto thy presence: considering the hardness of my heart, the unruliness of my affections, and the uncleanness of my conversation: by means whereof I have transgressed all thy laws, and deserved thy curse, 5which might cause my body to be smitten with some fearful disease, my soul to languish with the death of sin, my good name to be traduced with scandalous reproaches, and make mine estate liable to all manner of crosses, and casualties. And I confess, Lord, that thy mercy is the cause that I have not been long ago confounded. But, O my God,6 as thy mercy only ⟨p. 422⟩stayed thy judgement from falling upon me hitherto; so I humbly beseech thee, in the bowels of the mercy, of Jesus Christ,
and his blood only is the medicine that can heal my sickness. And he is the true brazen Serpent, that can cure that poison wherewith the fiery Serpents of my sins,
have stung and poisoned my sick and wounded soul. And give me I beseech thee thine holy spirit, which may assure me of mine adoption, and that may confirm my faith: increase my repentance,
that my whole body, soul, and spirit may be kept unblameable until the glorious coming of my Lord Jesus Christ. And now, O Lord, I give thee hearty thanks and praise, for that thou hast this day preserved me from all harms and perils, notwithstanding all my sins and ill deserts.
O Eternall GOD, and heauenly father, if I were not taught and assured by the promises of thy Gospell, and the examples of Peter, 1Magdalene, the Publicane, the Prodigall childe, and many other penitent sinners:2 that thou art so full of compassion, and so ready to forgiue the greatest sinners,3 who are heauiest laden with sinne,4 at what time soeuer they returne vnto thee with penitent hearts, lamenting their sinnes, and imploring thy grace: I should despaire for mine owne sinnes, and be ⟨p. 421⟩vtterly discouraged, from presuming to come vnto thy presence: considering the hardnesse of my heart, the vnrulinesse of my affections, and the vncleannesse of my conuersation: by meanes whereof I haue transgressed all thy lawes, and deserued thy curse, 5which might cause my body to be smitten with some fearefull disease, my soule to languish with the death of sinne, my good name to be traduced with scandalous reproaches, and make mine estate lyable to all manner of crosses, and casualities. And I confesse, Lord, that thy mercy is the cause that I haue not beene long agoe confounded. But, O my God,6 as thy mercy onely ⟨p. 422⟩staied thy iudgement from falling vpon mee hitherto; so I humbly beseech thee, in the bowels of the mercy, of Iesus Christ, 7in whom onely thou art well pleased, 8that thou wilt not deale with mee according to my deserts, 9but that thou wouldest freely and fully, 10remit vnto mee all my sinnes and transgressions: and that thou wouldest washe them cleane from me,11 vvith the vertue of that most precious blood, which thy sonne Iesus Christ hath shed for me, For hee alone is the Phisition, 12and his bloud onely is the medicine that can heale my sickenesse. And he is the true brazen Serpent, that can cure that poison wherewith the firy Serpents of my sinnes, ⟨p. 423⟩13haue stung and poisoned my sicke and wounded soule. And giue mee I beseech thee thine holy spirit, which may assure me of mine adoption, and that may confirme my faith: encrease my repentance, 14enlighten my vnderstanding, purifie my heart, rectifie my will and affections, and so sanctifie me throughout: 15that my whole body, soule, and spirit may be kept vnblameable vntill the glorious comming of my Lord Iesus Christ. And now, O Lord, I giue thee hearty thankes and praise, for that thou hast this day preserued me from all harmes and perils, notwithstanding all my sinnes and ill deserts.
And I beseech thee likewise defend me this night from the roaring ⟨p. 424⟩Lion, 1which night and day seeketh to devour me. Watch thou, O Lord, over me this night, to keep me from his temptations and tyranny: and let thy mercy shield me from his unappeaseable rage and malice. And to this end, I commend my self into thy hands,2 and protection; beseeching thee, O my Lord and God, not to suffer Satan, nor any of his evil members, to have power to do unto me any hurt or violence this night. And grant, good Lord, that whether I sleep or wake: live or die: I may sleep, wake, live, and die unto thee, and to the glory of thy name, and the salvation of my soul. Lord bless and defend all thy chosen people ⟨p. 425⟩every where▪ Grant our King a long & happy reign over us. Bless the Queen, Prince Charles, the Prince Palatine of Rhene, and the virtuous Princess Elizabeth his wife, together with all our Magistrates, and Ministers: comfort them who are in any misery, need, or sickness: Good Lord, give me grace to be one of those wise Virgins, 3which may have my heart prepared like a Lamp furnished with the Oil of Faith, and light of good works, to meet the Lord Jesus the sweet bridegroom of my soul, at his second and sudden coming in glory. Grant this good Father, for Christ Jesus sake, my only Saviour and Mediator, in whose ⟨p. 426⟩blessed name, and in whose own words I call upon thee as he hath taught me.
And I beseech thee likewise defend me this night from the roaring ⟨p. 424⟩Lion, 1which night and day seeketh to deuoure me. Watch thou, O Lord, ouer me this night, to keepe mee from his temptations and tyrannie: and let thy mercy shield me from his vnappeaseable rage and malice. And to this end, I commend my selfe into thy hands,2 and protection; beseeching thee, O my Lord and God, not to suffer Satan, nor any of his euill members, to haue power to doe vnto me any hurt or violence this night. And grant, good Lord, that whether I sleepe or wake: liue or die: I may sleepe, wake, liue, and die vnto thee, and to the glory of thy name, and the saluation of my soule. Lord blesse and defend all thy chosen people ⟨p. 425⟩euery where▪ Graunt our King a long & happy raigne ouer vs. Blesse the Queene, Prince Charles, the Prince Palatine of Rhene, and the vertuous Princesse Elizabeth his wife, together with all our Magistrates, and Ministers: comfort them who are in any misery, neede, or sickenesse: Good Lord, giue me grace to be one of those wise Virgins, 3which may haue my heart prepared like a Lampe furnished with the Oyle of Faith, and light of good works, to meet the Lord Iesus the sweet bridegroome of my soule, at his second and sodaine comming in glory. Grant this good Father, for Christ Iesus sake, my only Sauiour and Mediator, in whose ⟨p. 426⟩blessed name, and in whose owne words I call vpon thee as he hath taught me.
Thy grace O Lord Jesus Christ, thy love O heavenly Father, thy comfort and consolation, O Holy and blessed spirit, be with me, and dwell in my heart this night and evermore. Amen.
Thy grace O Lord Iesus Christ, thy loue O heauenly Father, thy comfort and consolation, O Holy and blessed spirit, be with me, and dwell in my heart this night and euermore. Amen.
1 That the day is coming when thou must be as ⟨p. 427⟩barely unstripped of all that thou hast in the world, 1as thou art now of thy clothes; thou hast therefore here, but the use of all things, as a Steward for a time, and that upon accounts. Whilst therefore thou art trusted with this Stewardship, 2be wise and faithful.
1 THat the day is comming when thou must be as ⟨p. 427⟩barely vnstript of al that thou hast in the world, 1as thou art now of thy cloathes; thou hast therefore heere, but the vse of all things, as a Steward for a time, and that vpon accounts. Whilest therefore thou art trusted with this Stewardship, 2be wise and faithfull.
1Nudus in hunc mundū veni simul hìnc quoquè nudus abibo. Luk. 16.2.Nudus in hunc mundū veni simul hìnc quoquè nudus abibo. Luk. 16.2.
2 When thou seest thy bed, 1let it put thee in mind of thy grave; which is now the bed of Christ: For Christ by laying his holy body to rest three days and three nights in the grave;2 hath sanctified, and as it were warmed it for the bodies of his Saints to rest and sleep in till the morning of the resurrection: So that now unto the faithful, 3Death is but a sweet ⟨p. 428⟩sleep, and the grave but Christs bed, where their bodies rest and sleep in peace: until the joyful morning of the Resurrection day shall dawn unto them.4
2 When thou seest thy bed, 1let it put thee in minde of thy graue; which is now the bed of Christ: For Christ by laying his holy body to rest three daies and three nights in the graue;2 hath sanctified, and as it were warmed it for the bodies of his Saints to rest and sleepe in till the morning of the resurrection: So that now vnto the faithfull, 3Death is but a sweet ⟨p. 428⟩sleepe, and the graue but Christs bed, where their bodies rest and sleepe in peace: vntill the ioyfull morning of the Resurrection day shall dawne vnto them.4
1Job 17.13. Ut somnus mortis; sic lectus imago sepulchri.Iob 17.13. Vt somnus mortis; sic lectus imago sepulchri.
Let therefore thy bed-clothes represent unto thee, the mould of the earth that shall cover thee: thy sheets, thy winding sheet: thy sleep, thy death: thy waking, thy resurrection. And being laid down in thy bed when thou perceivest sleep to approach: say, I will lay me down and sleep in peace, 1for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety.
Let therefore thy bed-cloathes represent vnto thee, the mould of the earth that shall couer thee: thy sh•etes, thy winding sheete: thy sleepe, thy death: thy waking, thy resurrection. And being laid downe in thy bed when thou perceiuest sleep to approach: say, I will lay mee downe and sleepe in peace, 1for thou Lord onely makest mee dwell in safety.
Thus religiously opening every Morning thy heart, and shutting it up again every Evening with the word of ⟨p. 429⟩God and prayer, as it were with a lock and key: and so beginning ▪ the day with GODS worship, continuing it in his fear, and ending it in his favour: thou shalt be sure to find the blessing of GOD upon all thy days labours and good endeavours: and at night thou mayest assure thy self thou shalt sleep safely and sweetly in the arms of thy heavenly Fathers providence.
Thus religiously opening euery Morning thy heart, and shutting it vp againe euery Euening with the word of ⟨p. 429⟩God and praier, as it were vvith a locke and key: and so beginning ▪ the day with GODS worship, continuing it in his feare, and ending it in his fauour: thou shalt be sure to finde the blessing of GOD vpon all thy daies labours and good endeauours: and at night thou mayest assure thy selfe thou shalt sleepe safely and sweetly in the armes of thy heauenly Fathers prouidence.
Thus far of the Piety which every Christian in private ought to Practise every day. Now followeth that which (he being a Householder) must practise publicly with his Family.
Thus farre of the Piety which euery Christian in priuate ought to Practise euery day. Now followeth that which (he being a Housholder) must practise publikely with his Family.
1 IF thou be called to the government of a Family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve GOD, and live uprightly in thine own person: unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel. For (saith GOD) I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him;1 that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgement, that the Lord may bring upon Abraham, ⟨p. 431⟩that he hath spoken unto him. 2And Abraham had 318. men servants; which were thus borne and Catechized in his house. With whose help he rescued also his Nephew L•t from the captivity of his enemies. And religiously valiant Joshua protesteth before all the people, that if they all would fall away from the true worship of GOD, yet that he and his house would serve the Lord. 3And GOD himself gives a special charge to all householders that they do instruct their Family in his word, and train them up in his fear and service. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, 4and thou shalt wh•• them continually upon ⟨p. 432⟩thy children, and shalt talk of them, when thou tarriest in thine house, and as thou walkest by the way, and when thou lyest down, and when thou risest up, &c. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God and serve him. David according to this Law had so ordered his Family, That no deceitful person should dwell in his house, 5but such as would serve God and walk in his way. And religious Esther had taught her Maids to serve GOD in fasting and prayer. 6And the more to further thy family in the zeal of Religion: settle ever thy chiefest affection on those, whom thou shalt perceive to be best addicted to true religion. This also will turn to thine own advantage in a ⟨p. 433⟩double respect. First, GOD will the rather bless and prosper the labour and handy work of such godly Servants.7 For Laban perceived that God blessed him for Jacobs sake: And Potiphar saw,8 that the Lord made all that Joseph did to prosper in his hand; yea, when innocent Joseph was cast into prison,9 his Keeper saw that whatsoever he did, the Lord made it to prosper: and therefore the Keeper committed all the charge of the Prisoners into Josephs hand. Secondly, the truer a man doth serve God, the faithfuller he will serve thee.
1 IF thou be called to the gouernment of a Familie, thou must not hold it sufficient to serue GOD, and liue vprightly in thine owne person: vnlesse thou cause all vnder thy charge to doe the same with thee. For the performance of this dutie God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsell. For (saith GOD) I know him that he will command his sons and his houshold after him;1 that they keepe the way of the Lord, to doe righteousnesse and iudgement, that the Lord may bring vpon Abraham, ⟨p. 431⟩that he hath spoken vnto him. 2And Abraham had 318. men seruants; which were thus borne and Catechized in his house. With whose helpe hee rescued also his Nephew L•t from the captiuity of his enemies. And religiously valiant Iosuah protesteth before all the people, that if they all would fall away from the true worship of GOD, yet that hee and his house would serue the Lord. 3And GOD himselfe giues a speciall charge to all householders that they do instruct their Family in his word, and traine them vp in his feare and seruice. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thy heart, 4and thou shalt wh•• them continually vpon ⟨p. 432⟩thy children, and shalt talke of them, when thou tarriest in thine house, and as thou walkest by the way, and when thou lyest downe, and when thou risest vp, &c. Thou shalt feare the Lord thy God and serue him. Dauid according to this Law had so ordered his Family, That no deceitful person should dwell in his house, 5but such as would serue God and walke in his way. And religious Hester had taught her Maydes to serue GOD in fasting and prayer. 6And the more to further thy family in the zeale of Religion: settle euer thy chiefest affection on those, whom thou shalt perceiue to be best addicted to true religion. This also will turne to thine owne aduantage in a ⟨p. 433⟩
his Keeper saw that whatsoeuer he did, the Lord made it to prosper: and therefore the Keeper committed all the charge of the Prisoners into Iosephs hand. Secondly, the truer a man doth serue God, the faithfuller he will serue thee.
