A05817:668
The Practice of Piety
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.
London: printed for John Hodgets, 1613London: printed for Iohn Hodgets, 1613
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.
Fifthly, from all recreations, and sports which at other times are lawful: for if lawful works be forbidden on this day; much more lawful sports which do more steal away our affections,1 from the contemplation of heavenly things, then any bodily work or labour. Neither can there be unto a man that delighteth in the Lord;2 any greater delight or ⟨p. 568⟩recreation, then the sanctifying of the Lords day. For can there be any greater joy for a person condemned, then to come to his Prince his house to have his pardon sealed? For one that is deadly sick, to come to a Physician that can cure him? Or for a Prodigal child that fed on the husks of Swine, to be admitted to eat the bread of life at his Fathers Table? Or for him who fears for sin, the tidings of death to come to hear from God the assurance of eternal life? If thou wilt allow thy self, or thy servant recreation; allow it in the six days which are thine: not on the Lords day which is neither thine nor theirs. No bodily recreation ⟨p. 569⟩therefore, is to be used on this day: but so far, as it may help the soul to do more cheerfully the service of the Lord.
Fiftly, from all recreations, and sports which at other times are lawfull: for if lawfull workes be forbidden on this day; much more lawfull sports which do more steale away our affections,1 from the contemplation of heauenly things, then any bodily worke or labour. Neither can there bee vnto a man that delighteth in the Lord;2 any greater del•ght or ⟨p. 568⟩recreation, then the sanctifying of the Lords day. For can there be any greater ioy for a person condemned, then to come to his Prince his house to haue his pardon sealed? For one that is deadly sicke, to come to a Phisitian that can cure him? Or for a Prodigall childe that fed on the huskes of Swine, to bee admitted to eate the bread of life at his Fathers Table? Or for him who feares for sinne, the tydings of death to come to heare from God the assurance of eternall life? If thou wilt allow thy selfe, or thy seruant recreation; allow it in the sixe daies which are thine: not on the Lords day which is neither thine nor theirs. No bodily receation