A05817:859
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.
A05817:859
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.
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
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.
And now that I am to receive this day the blessed Sacrament of thy precious body and blood; O Lord I beseech thee, let thy holy Spirit, by thy Sacrament, seal unto my soul, that by the merits of thy Death and Passion all my sins are so freely and fully remitted and forgiven, that the curses and Judgements which my sins have deserved, may never have power either to confound me in this life, or to condemn me in the world which ⟨p. 731⟩is to come. For my steadfast faith is, that thou hast dyed for my sins, 1and risen again for my justification. This I believe, O Lord help mine unbelief. Work in me likewise I beseech thee, an unfeigned Repentance, that I may heartily bewail my former sins, and loath them, and serve thee hence forth in newness of life, and greater measure of holy devotion. And let my soul never forget the infinite love of so sweet a Saviour, that hath laid down his life to redeem so vile a Sinner. And grant Lord that having received these seals and pledges of my Communion with thee; thou mayest henceforth so dwell by thy Spirit in me, that I so live ⟨p. 732⟩by Faith in thee: and that I may walk all the days of my life, in godliness and piety towards thee, and in Christian love and charity towards all my neighbours: that living in thy fear, I may dye in thy favour, and after death be made partaker of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Saviour. Amen.
And now that I am to receiue this day the blessed Sacrament of thy precious body and bloud; O Lord I beseech thee, let thy holy Spirit, by thy Sacrament, seale vnto my soule, that by the merits of thy Death and Passion all my sinnes are so freely and fully remitted and forgiuen, that the curses and Iudgements which my sins haue deserued, may neuer haue power eyther to confound me in this life, or to condemne me in the world which ⟨p. 731⟩is to come. For my stedfast faith is, that thou hast dyed for my sinnes, 1and risen againe for my iustification. This I beleeue, O Lord helpe mine vnbeliefe. Worke in mee likewise I beseech thee, an vnfained Repentance, that I may heartily bewaile my former sins, and loath them, and serue thee hence forth in newnesse of life, and greater measure of holy deuotion. And let my soule neuer forget the infinite loue of so sweete a Sauiour, that hath laid downe his life to redeeme so vile a Sinner. And grant Lord that hauing receiued these seales and pledges of my Communion with thee; thou maist henceforth so dwell by thy Spirit in mee, that I so liue
These Means are duties of two sorts; the former respecting GOD, the later our Neighbour: Those which respect GOD are three; first, sound knowledge: ⟨p. 733⟩secondly, true faith: thirdly, unfeigned repentance. That which respecteth our neighbour is but one, sincere Charity.
THese Meanes are dueties of two sorts; the former respecting GOD, the later our Neighbour: Those vvhich respect GOD are three; first, sound knowledge: ⟨p. 733⟩secondly, true faith: thirdly, vnfained repentance. That which respecteth our neighbour is but one, sincere Charitie.
Sound knowledge is a sanctified understanding of the first Principles of Religion. 1As first, of the Trinity of Persons in the unity of the Godhead. Secondly, of the Creation of Man and his fall. Thirdly, of the curse and misery due to sin. Fourthly, of the natures and offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death: especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments sealing the same unto us. For as an house cannot be built unless ⟨p. 734⟩the foundation be first laid; no more can Religion stand, unless it be first grounded upon the certain knowledge of Gods word. Secondly, if we know not Gods will, we can neither believe nor do the same. For as worldly businesses, cannot be done, but by them who have skill therein; so without knowledge must men be much more ignorant in divine and spiritual matters. And yet in temporal things, a man may do much by the light of nature. But in religious mysteries, the more we rely upon natural reason, 2the further we are from comprehending spiritual truth. Which discovers the fearful estate of those who receive ⟨p. 735⟩without knowledge, and the more fearful estate of those Pastors who minister unto them without Catechising.
Sound knowledge is a sanctified vnderstanding of the first Principles of Religion. 1As first, of the Trinity of Persons in the vnity of the Godhead. Secondly, of the Creation of Man and his fall. Thirdly, of the curse and misery due to sinne. Fourthly, of the natures and offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death: especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments sealing the same vnto vs. For as an house cannot be built vnlesse ⟨p. 734⟩the foundation bee first laid; no more can Religion stand, vnlesse it bee first grounded vpon the certaine knowledge of Gods word. Secondly, if wee know not Gods will, we can neither beleeue nor doe the same. For as wordly businesses, cannot be done, but by them who haue skill therein; so without knowledge must men be much more ignorant in diuine and spirituall matters. And yet in temporall things, a man may doe much by the light of nature. But in religious mysteries, the more we relye vpon naturall reason,
Sincere faith is not a bare knowledge of the Scriptures, & first grounds of Religion, (for that;1 Devils and Reprobates have in an excellent measure, and do believe it and tremble.) But a true persuasion, as of all those things whatsoever the Lord hath revealed in his word: so also a particular application unto a mans own soul, of all the promises of mercy which God hath made in Christ to all believing sinners. And consequently, that Christ and all his merits ⟨p. 736⟩do belong unto him as well as to any other. For first, if we have not the righteousness of Faith, 2the Sacrament seals nothing unto us, and every man in the Lords Supper, receiveth so much as he believeth. Secondly, because that without Faith we communicating on earth, cannot apprehend Christ in heaven. For as he dwelleth in us by faith, 3so by faith, we must likewise eat him. Thirdly, because that without faith we cannot be persuaded in our consciences that our receiving is acceptable unto God.4
Sincere faith is not a bare knowledge of the Scriptures, & first grounds of Religion, (for that;1 Diuels and Reprobates haue in an excellent measure, and doe beleeue it and tremble.) But a true perswasion, as of all those things whatsoeuer the Lord hath reuealed in his word: so also a particular application vnto a mans owne soule, of all the promises of mercy which God hath made in Christ to all beleeuing sinners. And consequently, that Christ and all his merits ⟨p. 736⟩doe belong vnto him as well as to any other. For first, if wee haue not the righteousnesse of Faith, 2the Sacrament seales nothing vnto vs, and euery man in the Lords Supper, receiueth so much as hee beleeueth. Secondly, because that without Faith we communicating on earth, cannot apprehend Christ in heauen. For as he dwelleth in vs by faith,
True Repentance is a holy change of the mind, 1when ⟨p. 737⟩upon the feeling sight of Gods mercy, 2and of a mans own misery, he turneth from all his known and secret sins to serve God in holiness and righteousness, all the rest of his days. For as he that is glutted with meat is not apt to eat bread: so he that is stuffed with sins, is not fit to receive Christ. And a conscience defiled with wilful filthiness, 3makes the use of all holy things unholy unto us. Our sacrificed spotless Passover cannot be eaten with the sour leaven of malice and wickedness, saith Paul, 1 Cor. 5.8. Neither can the old bottles of our corrupt and impure consciences, retain the new wine of Christs precious blood, as our Saviour ⟨p. 738⟩saith, Mar. 2.22. We must therefore truly repent, if we will be worthy partakers.
True Repentance is a holy change of the minde, 1when ⟨p. 737⟩vpon the feeling sight of Gods mercy, 2and of a mans owne misery, hee turneth from all his known and secret sinnes to serue God in holinesse and righteousnesse, all the rest of his daies. For as he that is glutted with meat is not apt to eat bread: so hee that is stuffed with sinnes, is not fit to receiue Christ. And a conscience defiled with wilfull filthinesse, 3makes the vse of all holy things vnholy vnto vs. Our sacrificed spotlesse Passeouer cannot bee eaten with the sowre leauen of malice and wickednes, saith Paul,
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: