A05817:849
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.
A05817:849
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.
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.
17 To bind all Christians, as it were, by an oath of fidelity, to serve the one only true God: and to admit no other propitiatory sacrifice for sins but that one real sacrifice which by his death, ⟨p. 715⟩Christ once offered, and by which he finished the sacrifice of the Law, and effected eternal redemption and righteousness, for all believers. And so to remain for ever a public mark of profession, to distinguish Christians from all sects and false religions. And seeing that in the Mass, there is a strange Christ adored, not he that was borne of the Virgin Mary: but one that is made of a wafer Cake: and that the offering up of this breaden-god is thrust upon the Church; as a propitiatory sacrifice for the Quick and the dead: all true Christians upon the danger of wilful perjury before the Lord chief-Justice of heaven and ⟨p. 716⟩earth are to detest the Mass, as that Idol of indignation which is most derogatory to the all-sufficient World-saving-merits of Christs death and passion. For by receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we all swear that all real sacrifices are ended by our Lords death: and that his body and blood once crucified and shed, is the perpetual food and nourishment of our Souls.
17 To binde all Christians, as it were, by an oath of fidelity, to serue the one onely true God: and to admit no other propitiatory sacrifice for sinnes but that one reall sacrifice which by his death, ⟨p. 715⟩Christ once offered, and by which he finished the sacrifice of the Law, and effected eternall redemption and righteousnesse, for all beleeuers. And so to remaine for euer a publike marke of profession, to distinguish Christians from all sects and false religions. And seeing that in the Masse, there is a strange Christ adored, not hee that was borne of the Vigin Marie: but one that is made of a wafer Cake: and that the offering vp of this breaden-god is thrust vpon the Church; as a propitiatorie sacrifice for the Quicke and the dead: all true Christians vpon the danger of wilfull periury before the Lord chiefe-Iustice of heauen and ⟨p. 716⟩earth are to detest the Masse, as that Idoll of indignation which is most derogatory to the all-sufficient World-sauing-merits of Christs death and passion. For by receiuing the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we al sweare that all reall sacrifices are ended by our Lords death: and that his body and bloud once crucified and shed, is the perpetuall food and nourishment of our Soules.
A Man shall best perceive his own unworthiness by examining his life according to the ten Commandments of Almighty GOD. ⟨p. 717⟩Search therefore what duties thou hast omitted, and what vices thou hast committed, contrary to every one of the Commandments: remembering that without repentance and Gods mercy in Christ,1 the Curse of God (containing all the miseries of this life, and everlasting torments in Hell fire when this is ended) is due to the breach of the least of Gods commandments. And having taken a due survey both of thy sins & miseries, retire to some secret place, and there putting thy self in the sight of the Judge as a guilty malefactor standing at the Bar to receive his sentence, bowing thy knees to the earth, smiting thy breast with thy fists and ⟨p. 718⟩bedewing thy cheeks with thy tears, confess thy sins, and humbly ask him mercy and forgiveness, in these or the like words.
A Man shall best perceiue his owne vnworthinesse by examining his life according to the tenne Commandements of Almighty GOD. ⟨p. 717⟩Search therefore what duties thou hast omitted, and what vices thou hast committed, contrary to euery one of the Commandements: remembring that without repentance and Gods mercy in Christ,1 the Curse of God (containing all the miseries of this life, and euerlasting torments in Hel fire when this is ended) is due to the breach of the least of Gods commandements. And hauing taken a due surueigh both of thy sins & miseries, retire to some secret place, and there putting thy selfe in the sight of the Iudge as a guilty malefactor standing at the Barre to receiue his sentence, bowing thy knees to the earth, smiting thy breast with thy fists and ⟨p. 718⟩bedewing thy cheekes with thy teares, confesse thy sins, and humbly aske him mercie and forgiuenesse, in these or the like wordes.
O GOD and heavenly Father, when I consider the goodness which thou hast ever showed unto me, and the wickedness which I have committed against heaven and against thee, 1I am ashamed of my self, and confusion seems to cover my face as a veil: for which of thy commandments have I not transgressed? ⟨p. 719⟩Oh Lord, I stand here guilty of the breach of all thy holy Laws. For the love of my heart hath not so entirely cleaved unto thy Majesty as to vain and earthly things:* I have not feared thy judgements to debtor me from sins, nor trusted to thy promises, to keep from doubting of my temporal, or from despairing of mine eternal state. *I have made the rule of thy divine worship, to be what my mind thought fit, not what thy word prescribed: finding my heart more prone to remember my blessed Saviour in a painted picture of mans devise: rather then to behold him crucified in his Word and Sacraments after his own ordinance.4 ⟨p. 720⟩Where *I should never use thy name (whereat all knees do bow) but with religious reverence, 6nor any part of thy worship, without due preparation and zeal: I have blasphemously abused thy holy name to rash and customary oaths, yea I have used oaths by thy sacred name, as false covers of my filthy sins. And I have been present at thy service oft times more for ceremony then conscience, 7and to please men, more then to please thee, my gracious GOD.
O GOD and heauenly Father, when I consider the goodnesse which thou hast euer shewed vnto me, and the wickednesse which I haue committed against heauen and against thee,
*Where I should sanctify thy Sabbath day, by being present at the public exercises of the Church, 2and by meditating privately on the word and works of GOD, and by visiting ⟨p. 721⟩the sick,3 and relieving of my poor brethren. Alas,4 I have thought those holy Exercises a burden, because they hindered my vain sports: yea, I have spent many of thy Sabbaths, in my own profane pleasures, without being present at any part of thy divine worship.
*Where I should sanctifie thy Sabath day, by being present at the publike exercises of the Church, 2and by meditating priuately on the word and workes of GOD, and by visiting ⟨p. 721⟩the sicke,3 and relieuing of my poore brethren. Alas,4 I haue thought those holy Exercises a burden, because they hindred my vaine sports: yea, I haue spent many of thy Sabbaths, in my owne prophane pleasures, without being present at any part of thy diuine worship.
Where I should have given all due reverence to my Natural, Ecclesiastical, 1and Politic Parents, I have not showed that measure of duty and affection to my Parents which their care and kindness hath deserved. I have not had thy Ministers in such singular love for their works sake, as I ought,2 but I have taunted at their zeal, and hated them because they ⟨p. 722⟩reproved me justly. 3And I have carried my self contemptuously against my Magistrates & Ministers, though I knew that it is thine ordinance, that I should be obedient unto them.
Where I should haue giuen all due reuerence to my Naturall, Ecclesiasticall, 1and Politique Parents, I haue not shewed that measure of duetie and affection to my Parents which their care and kindnesse hath deserued. I haue not had thy Ministers in such singular loue for their workes sake, as I ought,2 but I haue taunted at their zeale, and hated them because they ⟨p. 722⟩reproued mee iustly. 3And I haue carryed my selfe contemptuously against my Magistrates & Ministers, though I knew that it is thine ordinance, that I should be obedient vnto them.
1Where I should be *slow to wrath, and aready to forgive offences, and not suffered the Sun to go down upon my wrath, but to do good for evil, loving my very enemies for thy sake:4 I alas, for one sorry word have burst out into open rage, & harbouring thoughts of mischief in my heart, I have preferred to feed on mine own malice, rather then to eat of thy holy Supper.
1Where I should be *slow to wrath, and aready to forgiue offences, and not suffered the Sunne to goe downe vpon my wrath, but to doe good for euill, louing my very enemies for thy sake:4 I alas, for one sory word haue burst out into open rage, & harbouring thoughts of mischiefe in my heart, I haue preferred to feede on mine owne malice, rather then to eate of thy holy Supper.
1Where I should keep my mind from all filthy lusts, and my body from all uncleanness: ⟨p. 723⟩O Lord,2 I have defiled both, and made my heart a Cage of all impure thoughts,3 and my mind a very Sty of the unclean Spirit. Yea, the remedy which thou Lord hast ordained for continency, could not contain me within the bounds of Chastity: for by doting on beauty, whose ground is but dust, Satan hath bewitched my flesh to lust after strange flesh.
1Where I should keepe my minde from all filthy lusts, and my body from all vncleannesse: ⟨p. 723⟩O Lord,2 I haue defiled both, and made my heart a Cage of all impure thoughts,3 and my minde a very Stie of the vncleane Spirit. Yea, the remedie which thou Lord hast ordained for continencie, could not containe me vvithin the bounds of Chastitie: for by doating on beautie, whose ground is but dust, Sathan hath bewitched my flesh to lust after strange flesh.
Where I should have lived in uprightness, 1giving every man his due: being contented with mine own estate:2 and living conscionably in my lawful calling, 3should be ready (according to mine ability) to lend and give unto the poor: ô Lord,4 ⟨p. 724⟩I have by oppression, 5extortion, Bribes, cavillation, and other indirect dealings under pretence of my Calling and Office, robbed and purloined from my fellow Christians: yea, I have deceived and suffered Christ where I was trusted, many a time, in his poor members, to stand hungry, cold, & naked at my door, and hungry, cold, and naked to go away succourless, as he came: and when the leanness of his cheeks pleaded pity, the hardness of my hart, would show no compassion.
Where I should haue liued in vprightnesse, 1giuing euery man his due: being contented vvith mine owne estate:2 and liuing conscionably in my lawfull calling, 3should be ready (according to mine abilitie) to lend and giue vnto the poore: ô Lord,4 ⟨p. 724⟩I haue by oppression, 5extortion, Bribes, cauilation, and other indirect dealings vnder pretence of my Calling and Office, robbed and purloyned from my fellow Christians: yea, I haue deceiued and suffered Christ where I vvas trusted, many a time, in his poore members, to stand hungry, cold, & naked at my dore, and hungry, cold, and naked to goe away succourlesse, as hee came: and when the leanenesse of his cheekes pleaded pitty, the hardnes of my hart, would shew no compassion.
1Where I should have made conscience to speak the truth in simplicity, without any falsehood,2 prudently judging aright,3 and charitably construing all things in the best ⟨p. 725⟩part: and should have defended the good name and credit of my neighbour: alas (vile wretch that I am) I have belied and slandered my fellow-Brother,4 and as soon as I heard an ill report, 5I made my tongue the instrument of the Devil, to blazon that abroad unto others, before I knew the truth of it my self.6 I was so far from speaking a good word, in defence of his good name: that it tickled my heart in secret, to hear one that I envied, to be taxed with such a blemish, though I knew that otherwise, the graces of God shined in him▪ in abundant measure. I made •ests of officious, and advantage of pernicious lies: ⟨p. 726⟩herein showing my self a right Cretan, 7rather then an upright Christian.
1Where I should haue made conscience to speake the truth in simplicitie, vvithout any falshood,2 prudently iudging aright,3 and charitably construing all things in the best ⟨p. 725⟩
1And lastly (O Lord) where I should have rested fully contented with that portion which thy Majesty thought meetest to bestow upon me in this Pilgrimage: and rejoiced in an others good, as in mine own: Alas my life hath been nothing else but a greedy lusting after this neighbours house, and that neighbours land: yea, secretly wishing such a man dead, that I might have his living or office, coveting rather those things which thou hast bestowed on another, rather then being thankful for that which thou hast given unto my self. Thus I O Lord, ⟨p. 727⟩who am a carnal sinner, 2and sold under sin, have transgressed all thy holy and spiritual commandments from the first to the last, from the greatest unto the least, and here I stand guilty before thy Judgement-seat of all the breaches of all thy laws, and therefore liable to thy Curse, and to all the miseries that Justice can pour forth upon so cursed a creature. And whither shall I go for deliverance from this misery? Angels blush at my rebellion, and will not help me. Men are guilty of the like transgression, and cannot help themselves. Shall I then despair with Cain, or make away my self with Judas? No Lord: ⟨p. 728⟩for that were but to end the miseries of this life, and to begin the endless torments of Hell: I will rather appeal to thy Throne of Grace, 3where Mercy reigns to pardon abounding sins, and out of the depth of my miseries, 4I will cry, with David, for the depth of thy mercies. Though thou shouldest kill me with afflictions; 5yet will I, like Job, put my trust in thee. Though thou shouldest drown me in the Sea of thy displeasure,6 with Jonah, yet will I catch such hold on thy Mercy, that I will be taken up dead, clasping her with both my hands. And though thou shouldest cast me into the bowels of Hell, as Jonah into the Belly of the Whale:
O reject not now my penitent Soul, who being displeased with her self for sin, desireth to return to serve and please thee in newness of life, and reach from Heaven thy helping hand to save me thy poor servant, who am (like Peter) ready to sink ⟨p. 730⟩in the Sea of my sins and misery. Wash away the multitude of my sins, with the merits of that blood which I believe that thou hast so abundantly shed for penitent sinners.
O reiect not now my penitent Soule, who being displeased with her selfe for sinne, desireth to returne to serue and please thee in newnesse of life, and reach from Heauen thy helping hand to saue mee thy poore seruant, who am (like Peter) ready to sincke ⟨p. 730⟩in the Sea of my sinnes and miserie. Wash away the multitude of my sinnes, with the merits of that bloud which I beleeue that thou hast so abundantly shed for penitent sinners.
1And lastly (O Lord) where I should haue rested fully contented vvith that portion which thy Maiestie thought meetest to bestow vpon me in this Pilgrimage: and reioyced in an others good, as in mine owne: Alas my life hath beene nothing else but a greedy lusting after this neighbours house, and that neighbours land: yea, secretly vvishing such a man dead, that I might haue his liuing or office, coueting rather those things which thou hast bestowed on another, rather then being thankefull for that which thou hast giuen vnto my selfe. Thus I O Lord, ⟨p. 727⟩who am a carnall sinner, 2and sold vnder sinne, haue transgressed all thy holy and spiritual commandements from the first to the last, from the greatest vnto the least, and here I stand guiltie before thy Iudgement-seate of all the breaches of all thy lawes, and therefore lyable to thy Curse, and to all the miseries that Iustice can poure forth vpon so cursed a creature. And whither shall I goe for deliuerance from this miserie? Angels blush at my rebellion, and will not helpe mee. Men are guilty of the like transgression, and cannot helpe themselues. Shall I then despaire vvith Caine, or make away my selfe with Iudas? No Lord: ⟨p. 728⟩for that were but to end the miseries of this life, and to beginne the endlesse torments of Hell: I will rather appeale to thy Throane of Grace, 3where Mercy raignes to pardon abounding sinnes, and out of the depth of my miseries, 4I will cry, with Dauid, for the depth of thy mercies. Though thou shouldest kill me with afflictions; 5yet will I, like Iob, put my trust in thee. Though thou shouldest drowne me in the Sea of thy displeasure,6 with Ionas, yet will I catch such hold on thy Mercy, that I will be taken vp dead, clasping her with both my hands. And though thou shouldest cast mee into the bowels of Hell, as Ionas into the Belly of the Whale: ⟨p. 729⟩yet from thence would I cry vnto thee; O God the Father of Heauen, O Iesus Christ the Redeemer of the World, O Holy Ghost my Sanctifier, three Persons, and one eternall God, haue mercy vpon mee a miserable sinner. And seeing the goodnesse of thine owne nature first moued thee to send thine onely begotten Son, to dye for my sinnes, that by his death I might be reconciled to thy Maiestie: