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 aHoly, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth! Suffer me who am but bdust & ashes, to speak unto thy most glorious Majesty. I know that thou art a cconsuming fire. I acknowledge that I am but withered dstubble, my esins are in my sight, and Satan fstands at my right hand to accuse me for them. I come not to excuse, but to gjudge my self worthy of all those Judgements, which thy justice might most justly inflict upon me a wretched creature, for my sins and transgressions. ⟨p. 615⟩The number of them is so great, the nature of them is so grievous, that they make me seem vile in mine own eyes, 8how much more loathsome in thy sight? I confess they make me so far from being worthy to be called thy Son, 9that I am altogether unworthy to have the name of thy meanest servant. And if thou shouldest but recompense me according to my desert,10
into the bottomless pit of hell. For if thou didst not spare the natural branches, those Angels of glorious excellency; but hurledst them
⟨p. 616⟩
down from the heavenly habitations, into the pains of hellish darkness, to be kept unto damnation, when they sinned but once against thy Majesty? and didst expel our first Parents out of Paradise,
ever pouring in, but never pouring out any filthiness: and have transgressed not one, but all thy holy laws and commandments. Yea this present day, which thou hast straightly commanded me to keep holy, to thy praise
⟨p. 617⟩
and worship, I have not so religiously kept and observed, nor prepared my soul in that holiness and chastity of heart, as was fit, to meet thy blessed Majesty in the holy assembly of thy Saints. I have not attended to the preaching of thy word, nor to the administration of thy Sacraments, with that humility, reverence, and devotion, that I should. For though I was present at those holy exercises in my body; yet Lord I was overtaken with much drowsiness; and when I was awake, my mind was so distracted and carried away with vain and worldly thoughts: that my soul seemed to be absent, and out of the Church.
O aHoly, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabbaoth! Suffer me who am but bdust & ashes, to speake vnto thy most glorious Maiestie. I know that thou art a cconsuming fire. I acknowledge that I am but withered dstubble, my esinnes are in my sight, and Sathan fstands at my right hand to accuse me for them. I come not to excuse, but to giudge my selfe worthy of all those Iudgements, which thy iustice might most iustly inflict vpon mee a wretched creature, for my sinnes and transgressions. ⟨p. 615⟩The number of them is so great, the nature of them is so grieuous, that they make me seeme vile in mine owne eies, 8how much more loathsome in thy sight? I confesse they make mee so farre from being worthy to be called thy Sonne, 9that I am altogether vnworthy to haue the name of thy meanest seruant. And if thou shouldest but recompence mee according to my desert,10 the earth (as weary of such a sinfull burthen) should open her mouth and swallow mee vp, like one of Dathans family, 11into the bottomlesse pit of hel. For if thou didst not spare the naturall branches, those Angels of glorious excellency; but hurledst them ⟨p. 616⟩downe from the heauenly habitations, into the paines of hellish darkenesse, to be kept vnto damnation, when they sinned but once against thy Maiesty? and didst expell our first Parents out of Paradice, 12when they did but transgresse one of thy lawes? Alas, what vengeance may I expect, who haue not offended in one sinne onely,13 heaping dayly sinne vpon sinne, without any true repentance, drinking iniquity as it were water, 14euer powring in, but neuer powring out any filthynesse: and haue trangressed not one, but all thy holy lawes and commandements. Yea this present day, which thou hast straightly commanded mee to keep holy, to thy praise ⟨p. 617⟩and worship, I haue not so religiously kept and obserued, nor prepared my soule in that holynesse and chastitie of heart, as was fit, to meete thy blessed Maiesty in the holy assembly of thy Saints. I haue not attended to the preaching of thy word, nor to the administration of thy Sacraments, with that humility, reuerence, and deuotion, that I should. For though I was present at those holy exercises in my body; yet Lord I was ouertaken with much drowsinesse; and when I was awake, my minde was so distracted and carried away with vaine and wordly thoughts: that my soule seemed to bee absent, and out of the Church.
I have not so duly (as I should) meditated with my self, nor conferred with my Family, upon those good instructions, which we have heard and received out of thy holy word, by the public Ministry. For default whereof, Satan hath stolen the most part of these instructions out of my heart: and I wretched creature have forgotten them, as though they had never been heard. And my family doth not thrive in knowledge and sanctification under my government as they should. Though I know, where many of my poor brethren live in want and necessity, and some in pain, and comfortless: yet I have not remembered to ⟨p. 619⟩relieve, the one with my alms, nor the other with consolations: but I have feasted my self, and satisfied mine own lusts. I have spent the most part of the day, in idle talk, vain sports, and exercises: Yea Lord I have &c. *And for all these my sins, my conscience cries guilty, thy law condemns me: and I am in thy hand to receive the sentence and curse that is due to the wilful breach of so holy a commandment. But what if I am by thy Law condemned? yet, Lord, thy Gospel assures me that thy mercy is above all thy works:2 that thy grace transcends thy Law: and thy goodness delighteth there to reign, where ⟨p. 620⟩sins do most abound. 3in the multitude therefore of thy mercies and merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, I beseech thee O Lord (who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor desirest the death of a penitent sinner) to pardon and forgive me all those my sins, and all the errors of this day,4 and of my whole life: and free my soul from that curse and judgement which is due unto me for them. Thou that didst justify the contrite Publican for four words of confession,5 and receivedst the Prodigal child (when he had spent all the stock of thy grace) into favour upon his repentance: pardon my sins likewise, O ⟨p. 621⟩Lord, and suffer me not to perish for my transgressions. Oh spare me and receive me into thy favour again. Wilt thou O Lord reject me, who hast received all Publicans, harlots, and sinners, 6that upon repentance sued to thee for grace? Shall I alone be excluded from thy mercy? Far be it from me to think so: For thou art the same GOD of mercy unto me, that thou wast unto them, and thy compassions never fail. 7Wherefore O Lord deal not with me after my merits, but according to thy great mercy.
I haue not so duely (as I should) meditated with my selfe, nor conferred with my Family, vpon those good instructions, which we haue heard and receiued out of thy holy word, by the publike Ministry. For default whereof, Sathan hath stolne the most part of these instructions out of my heart: and I wretched creature haue forgotten them, as though they had neuer beene heard. And my family doth not thriue in knowledge and sanctification vnder my gouernment as they should. Though I know, where many of my poore brethren liue in want and necessitie, and some in paine, and comfortlesse: yet I haue not remembred to ⟨p. 619⟩relieue, the one with my almes, nor the other with consolations: but I haue feasted my selfe, and satisfied mine owne lusts. I haue spent the most part of the day, in idle talke, vaine sports, and exercises: Yea Lord I haue &c. *And for all these my sinnes, my conscience cries guilty, thy law condemnes me: and I am in thy hand to receiue the sentence and curse that is due to the wilfull breach of so holy a commandement. But what if I am by thy Law condemned? yet, Lord, thy Gospell assures me that thy mercy is aboue all thy workes:2 that thy grace transcendes thy Law: and thy goodnesse delighteth there to raigne, vvhere ⟨p. 620⟩sinnes doe most abound. 3in the multitude therefore of thy mercies and merits of Iesus Christ my Sauiour, I beseech thee O Lord (who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart, nor desirest the death of a penitent sinner) to pardon and forgiue me all those my sins, and all the errours of this day,4 and of my whole life: and free my soule from that curse and iudgement which is due vnto mee for them. Thou that didst iustifie the contrite Publican for foure words of confession,5 and receiuedst the Prodigall childe (when hee had spent all the stocke of thy grace) into fauour vpon his repentance: pardon my sinnes likewise, O ⟨p. 621⟩Lord, and suffer me not to perish for my trangressions. Oh spare me and receiue me into thy fauour againe. Wilt thou O Lord reiect me, who hast receiued all Publicans, harlots, and sinners,
*Here confess whatsoever fault thou hast done that day by omission or commission, and then fetching from thy heart a deep sigh, say.Here confesse whatsoeuer fault thou hast done that day by omission or commission, and then fetching from thy heart a deep sigh, say.
Execute not thy severe justice against me a sinner: but exercise thy long sufferance in forbearing thine own creature. I have nothing to ⟨p. 622⟩present unto thee for a satisfaction, but only the bloody wounds, and bitter death and passion, which thy blessed Son, my only Saviour hath suffered for me. Him (in whom only thou art well pleased.) I offer unto thee for all my sins, wherewith thou art displeased. He is my Mediator, the request of whose blood, speaking better things then that of Abel, 1thy mercy can never gain-say. Illuminate my understanding, and sanctify my heart with thy holy spirit that may bring to my remembrance, all those good and profitable lessons, which this day, and at other times have been taught me out of thy holy word; that I may remember ⟨p. 623⟩thy commandments, to keep them; thy judgements, to avoid them; and thy sweet promises, to rely upon them in time of misery and distress. And now, O Lord, I resign my self to thy most holy will: Oh receive me into thy favour: and so draw me by thy grace unto thy self, that I may as well be thine by love and imitation, as by calling and creation. And give me grace so to keep holy thy Sabbaths in this life: as that (when this life is ended) I may with all thy Saints and Angels, celebrate an eternal Sabbath of joys, and praise, to the honour of thy most glorious name, in thy heavenly Kingdom ⟨p. 624⟩for evermore. Amen.
Execute not thy seuere iustice against mee a sinner: but exercise thy long sufferance in forbearing thine owne creature. I haue nothing to ⟨p. 622⟩present vnto thee for a satisfaction, but onely the bloudy wounds, and bitter death and passion, which thy blessed Sonne, my onely Sauiour hath suffered for mee. Him (in whom onely thou art well pleased.) I offer vnto thee for all my sinnes, wherewith thou art displeased. Hee is my Mediatour, the request of whose bloud, speaking better things then that of Abel, 1thy mercy can neuer gaine-say. Illuminate my vnderstanding, and sanctifie my heart with thy holy spirit that may bring to my remembrance, all those good and profitable lessons, which this day, and at other times haue beene taught me out of thy holy word; that I may remember ⟨p. 623⟩thy commandements, to keepe them; thy iudgements, to auoyde them; and thy sweet promises, to relye vpon them in time of misery and distresse. And now, O Lord, I resigne my selfe to thy most holy will: Oh receiue mee into thy fauour: and so draw me by thy grace vnto thy selfe, that I may as well be thine by loue and imitation, as by calling and creation. And giue me grace so to keepe holy thy Sabbaths in this life: as that (when this life is ended) I may with all thy Saints and Angels, celebrate an eternall Sabbath of ioyes, and praise, to the honour of thy most glorious name, in thy heauenly Kingdome ⟨p. 624⟩for euermore. Amen.
And then calling thy family together; shut up the Sabbath with the Meditations and Prayers before prescribed for thy Family. And the Lord will give thee that night a more sweet and quiet rest then ordinary, and prosper thee the better in all the labours of the week following.
And then calling thy family together; shut vp the Sabbath with the Meditations and Prayers before prescribed for thy Family. And the Lord will giue thee that night a more sweet and quiet rest then ordinary, and prosper thee the better in all the labours of the weeke following.
There are divers kinds of Fasting: First,1 a constrained Fast, as when men either have not food to eat, as in the aFamine of Samaria. or having food cannot eat it for heaviness or sickness, as it befell them who were in the bShip with Saint Paul. This is rather Famine, then Fasting.
There are diuers kindes of Fasting: First,1 a constrained Fast, as vvhen men eyther haue not foode to eate, as in the aFamine of Samaria. or hauing foode cannot eate it for heauinesse or sickenesse, as it befell them who were in the bShip with Saint Paul. This is rather Famine, then Fasting.
Secondly, A natural Fast, 1which we under-take Physically for the health of our body.
Secondly, A naturall Fast, 1which wee vnder-take Physically for the health of our body.
12 Physicum. Nihil periculosiùs habitudine corporis extremè bona: detrahenda sunt ergo per Jeiunium redundantia, ne natura suo podere fracta succumbat. Basil. hom. 1.2 Physicum. Nihil periculosiùs habitudine corporis extremè bona: detrahenda sunt ergo per Ieiunium redundantia, ne natura suo podere fracta succumbat. Basil. hom. 1.
Thirdly, *A civil Fast, which the Magistrate enjoineth for the better maintenance of the Common-wealth, ⟨p. 626⟩that by using Fish as well as Flesh, there may be greater plenty of both.
Thirdly, *A ciuile Fast, which the Magistrate enioyneth for the better maintenance of the Common-wealth, ⟨p. 626⟩that by vsing Fish as well as Flesh, there may be greater plenty of both.
1Fourthly▪ A miraculous Fast, as the forty days fast of Moses and Elijah, the types: and of Christ the substance. This is rather to be admired, then imitated.
1Fourthly▪ A miraculous Fast, as the fortie dayes fast of Moses and Elias, the types: and of Christ the substance. This is rather to be admired, then imitated.
1Fifthly, A daily Fast, when a man is careful to use the creatures of GOD with such moderation; that he is not made heavier, but more cheerful, to serve God, and to do the duties of his calling. This is specially to be observed, of cMinisters and Judges.
1Fiftly, A daily Fast, when a man is carefull to vse the creatures of GOD with such moderation; that hee is not made heauier, but more cheerefull, to serue God, and to doe the duties of his calling. This is specially to be obserued, of cMinisters and Iudges.
Sixthly, A religious Fast, which a man voluntarily undertakes,12to make his body and soul the fitter to pray ⟨p. 627⟩more fervently unto GOD, upon some extraordinary occasion. And of this fast only we are to treat. The Religious Fast is of two sorts, either private or public.
Sixtly, A religious Fast, which a man voluntarily vndertakes,12to make his body and soule the fitter to pray ⟨p. 627⟩more feruently vnto GOD, vpon some extraordinarie occasion. And of this fast onely wee are to treate. The Religious Fast is of two sorts, eyther priuate or publike.
that vpon repentance sued to thee for grace? Shall I alone bee excluded from thy mercy? Farre be it from me to thinke so: For thou art the same GOD of mercy vnto mee, that thou wast vnto them, and thy compassions neuer faile.
