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.
IS it true indeed that GOD will dwell on earth? 1behold the Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens are not able to contain thee, how much more unable is the soul of such a sinful caitiff as I am to receive thee?
IS it true indeed that GOD will dwell on earth? 1behold the Heauen, and the Heauen of Heauens are not able to containe thee, how much more vnable is the soule of such a sinfull c•itife as I am to receiue thee?
But seeing it is thy blessed pleasure to come thus, to asup with me, and to bdwell in me: I cannot for joy but burst out and say, What is man that thou art so mindful of him, and the Son of man that thou so regardest him? What favour soever thou ⟨p. 754⟩
vouchsafest me in the abundance of thy Grace; I will freely confess what I am in the wretchedness of my Nature. I am in a word; a carnal Creature, whose very soul is
callest, here I come; and seeing thou callest sinners, I have thrust my self in among the rest; and seeing thou callest all with their heaviest loads, I see no reason why I should stay behind. O Lord I am sick, and whither should I go but unto thee the Physician of my Soul? Thou hast cured many, but never didst thou meet with a more miserable patient: for
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I am more leprous then Gehazi, more unclean then Magdalene, more blind in Soul, then Bartimeus was in Body: for I have lived all this while and never seen the true light of thy Word. My Soul runs with a greater flux of sin, then was the Hemorisse issue of blood. Mephiboseth was not more lame to go, then my soul is to walk after thee in love. Jeroboam's Arm was not more withered to strike the Prophet, then my hand is maimed to relieve the poor. Cure me O Lord, and thou shalt do as great a work as in curing them all. And though I have all their sins and sores; yet Lord so abundant is thy grace; so great is
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thy skill; that if thou wilt, thou canst with a word, forgive the one, and heal the other. And why should I doubt of thy good will, when to save me will cost thee now but one loving smile, who showedst thy self so willing to redeem me, though it should cost thee all thy heart blood, and now offerest so graciously unto me the assured pledge of my redemption, by thy blood? Who am I O Lord God?
much less to be a partaker of this holy Sacrament, the greatest Pledge of the
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greatest mercy that ever thou diddest bestow upon those sons of men, whom thou lovest.
But seeing it is thy blessed pleasure to come thus, to asuppe with me, and to bdwell in mee: I cannot for ioy but burst out and say, What is man that thou art so mindfull of him, and the Sonne of man that thou so regardest him? What fauour soeuer thou ⟨p. 754⟩vouchsafest mee in the abundance of thy Grace; I will freely confesse what I am in the wretchednesse of my Nature. I am in a vvord; a carnall Creature, vvhose very soule is csold vnder sinne: a wretched man compassed about with da body of death: yet Lord seeing thou ecallest, here I come; and seeing thou callest sinners, I haue thrust my selfe in among the rest; and seeing thou callest all with their heauiest loades, I see no reason why I should stay behinde. O Lord I am sicke, and whither should I goe but vnto thee the Physitian of my Soule? Thou hast cured many, but neuer didst thou meete vvith a more miserable patient: for ⟨p. 755⟩I am more leaprous then Gehazi, more vncleane then Magdalene, more blinde in Soule, then Bartimeus vvas in Body: for I haue liued all this while and neuer seene the true light of thy Word. My Soule runnes with a greater fluxe of sinne, then vvas the Hemorisse issue of bloud. Mephiboseth was not more lame to goe, then my soule is to walke after thee in loue. Ieroboams Arme was not more withered to strike the Prophet, then my hand is maimed to relieue the poore. Cure me O Lord, and thou shalt doe as great a worke as in curing them all. And though I haue all their sinnes and sores; yet Lord so abundant is thy grace; so great is ⟨p. 756⟩thy skill; that if thou wilt, thou canst with a word, forgiue the one, and heale the other. And vvhy should I doubt of thy good will, when to saue mee will cost thee now but one louing smile, vvho shewedst thy selfe so willing to redeem me, though it should cost thee all thy heart bloud, and now offerest so gratiously vnto mee the assured pledge of my redemption, by thy bloud? Who am I O Lord God? 6and what is my merit that thou hast bought me with so deare a price? It is meerely thy mercie; and I O Lord am not worthy the least of all thy mercies: 7much lesse to be a partaker of this holy Sacrament, the greatest Pledge of the ⟨p. 757⟩greatest mercy that euer thou diddest bestow vpon those sonnes of men, whom thou louest.
How might I in respect of mine own unworthiness, cry out for fear at the sight of thy holy Sacrament, as the Philistims did,1 when they saw the Ark of God come into the assembly. Woe now unto me a sinner; But that thy Angel doth comfort me, as he did the women. Fear thou not, 2for I know that thou seekest Jesus which was crucified. It is thou indeed that my soul seeketh after. And here thou offerest thy self unto me in thy blessed Sacrament. If therefore ELIZABETH thought her self so much honoured at thy presence, 3in the womb of thy blessed mother ⟨p. 758⟩that the babe sprang in her belly for joy; how should my soul leap within me for joy, now that thou comest by thy holy Sacrament, to dwell in my heart for ever? Oh what an honour is this that not the mother of my Lord, but my Lord himself should come thus to visit me? Indeed, Lord, I confess with the faithful Centurion; that I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:4 and that if thou didst but speak the word only, my soul should be saved. Yet seeing it hath pleased the riches of thy grace for the better strengthening of my weakness; to seal thy mercy unto me by thy visible sign, as well as by thy visible ⟨p. 759⟩word. In all thankful humility my soul speaks unto thee with the blessed Virgin. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, 5be it unto me according to thy word. Knock thou, Lord, by thy word and Sacraments at the door of my heart, and I will like the Publican with both my fists knock at my breast, as fast as I can that thou mayest enter in: and if the door will not open fast enough; break it open, O Lord, by thine Almighty power, and then enter in and dwell there for ever: that I may have cause with Zacheus to acknowledge that this day salvation is come into my house. 6And cast out of me, whatsoever shall be offensive unto thee: for ⟨p. 760⟩I resign the whole possession of my heart unto thy sacred Majesty, entreating that I may not live henceforth, but that thou mayest live in me, speak in me, work in me, and so to govern me by thy spirit that nothing may be pleasing unto me, but that which is acceptable unto thee. That finishing my course in the life of grace, I may afterwards live with thee for ever in thy kingdom of glory. Grant this, O Lord Jesus, for the merits of thy death and bloodshedding. Amen.
How might I in respect of mine owne vnworthynesse, cry out for feare at the sight of thy holy Sacrament, as the Philistimes did,1 when they saw the Arke of God come into the assembly. Woe now vnto me a sinner; But that thy Angel doth comfort me, as he did the women. Feare thou not, 2for I know that thou seekest Iesus which was crucified. It is thou indeed that my soule seeketh after. And heere thou offerest thy selfe vnto me in thy blessed Sacrament. If therefore ELIZABETH thought her selfe so much honoured at thy presence, 3in the wombe of thy blessed mother ⟨p. 758⟩that the babe sprange in her bellie for ioy; how should my soule leape within mee for ioy, now that thou commest by thy holy Sacrament, to dwell in my heart for euer? Oh what an honour is this that not the mother of my Lord, but my Lord himselfe should come thus to visit me? Indeede, Lord, I confesse with the faithfull Centurion; that I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe:4 and that if thou didst but speake the word onely, my soule should be saued. Yet seeing it hath pleased the riches of thy grace for the better strengthning of my weakenesse; to seale thy mercy vnto mee by thy visible signe, as well as by thy visible ⟨p. 759⟩word. In all thankefull humili•y my soule speakes vnto thee with the blessed Virgin. Behold the handmaide of the Lord, 5be it vnto me according to thy word. Knocke thou, Lord, by thy word and Sacraments at the doore of my heart, and I will like the Publicane with both my fists knocke at my breast, as fast as I can that thou maiest enter in: and if the dore will not open fast enough; breake it open, O Lord, by thine Almighty power, and then enter in and dwell there for euer: that I may haue cause with Zacheus to acknowledge that this day saluation is come into my house. 6And cast out of me, whatsoeuer shall be offensiue vnto thee: for ⟨p. 760⟩
When the Minister bringeth towards thee the bread thus blessed and broken; and offering it unto thee, bids thee, Take eat, &c. Then meditate that Christ himself ⟨p. 761⟩cometh unto thee, & both offereth and giveth indeed unto thy faith, his very body & blood with all the merits of his death and passion ▪ to feed thy soul unto eternal life: as surely as the minister offereth & giveth the outward signs that feeds thy body unto this temporal life. The bread of the Lord is given by the Minister but the bread which is the Lord is given by Christ himself.
When the Minister bringeth towards thee the bread thus blessed and broken; and offering it vnto thee, bids thee, Take eate, &c. Then meditate that Christ himselfe ⟨p. 761⟩commeth vnto thee, & both offreth and giueth indeed vnto thy faith, his very body & blood with al the merits of his death and passion ▪ to feed thy soule vnto eternal life: as surely as the minister offereth & giueth the outward signes that feeds thy body vnto this temporall life. The bread of the Lord is giuen by the Minister but the bread which is the Lord is giuen by Christ himselfe.
When thou takest the bread at the Ministers hand to eat it,1 then rouse up thy soul to apprehend Christ by faith, & to apply his merits to heal thy miseries. Embrace him as sweetly with thy faith in the Sacrament: as ever Simeon hugged him with his arms in his swaddling clouts.
When thou takest the bread at the Ministers hand to eate it,1 then rouse vp thy soule to apprehend Christ by faith, & to apply his merits to heale thy miseries. Embrace him as sweetly with thy faith in the Sacrament: as euer Simeon hugde him with his armes in his swadling clouts.
When thou eatest the bread, imagine that thou seest Christ hanging upon the Cross, and by his unspeakable torments, fully satisfying Gods justice for thy sins and strive to be as verily partaker of the spiritual grace, as of the elemental signs. For the truth is not absent from the sign, neither doth Christ deceive, when he saith, This is my body, but he giveth himself indeed to every soul that spiritually receives him by faith. For as ours is the same Supper which Christ administered: so is the same Christ verily present at his own Supper, not by any Papal *Transubstantiation, ⟨p. 763⟩but by a Sacramental participation, 2whereby he doth truly feed the faithful unto eternal life: not by coming down out of heaven unto thee; but by lifting thee up from the earth unto him. According to that old saying, Sursum corda. Lift up your hearts, and where the carcass is thither will the Eagles res••t. Mat. 24
When thou eatest the bread, imagine that thou seest Christ hanging vpon the Crosse, and by his vnspeakeable torments, fully satisfying Gods iustice for thy sinnes and striue to be as verily pertaker of the spirituall grace, as of the elementall signes. For the truth is not absent from the signe, neither doth Christ deceiue, when he saith, This is my body, but he giueth himselfe indeede to euery soule that spiritually receiues him by faith. For as ours is the same Supper which Christ administred: so is the same Christ verily present at his owne Supper, not by any Papall *Transubstantiation, ⟨p. 763⟩but by a Sacramentall participation, 2whereby he doth truly feede the faithfull vnto eternall life: not by comming downe out of heauen vnto thee; but by lifting thee vp from the earth vnto him. According to that old saying, Sursum corda. Lift vp your hearts, and where the carkase is thither will the Eagles res••t. Mat. 24
*Christ calls it his body, not the sign of his body, because this Sacrament was instituted not only to signify but also to communicate the spiritual graces that they represent. And by the signs to draw our minds▪ to the graces signified. So Euthimius in Mat. 26. Non dixit dominus, haec sutu signa corporis mei sed hoc est corpus meum. Oportet ergo non ad naturam eorum, quae proposita sunt aspicere, sed ad ipsorum virtutem & gratiam.Christ cals it his body, not the signe of his body, because this Sacrament was instituted not only to signifie but also to communicate the spirituall graces that they represent. And by the signes to draw our mindes▪ to the graces signified. So Euthimius in Mat. 26. Non dixit dominus, haec sutu signa corporis mei sed hoc est corpus meum. Oportet ergo non ad naturam eorum, quae proposita sunt aspicere, sed ad ipsorum virtutem & gratiam.
2Non hoc corpus quod videtis manducaturi estis: et bibituri illum sanguinem quem fusuri sunt, qui me crucifigent. Sacramentū aliquod vobis commendavi: spiritualitèr intellectum vivificabit vos. Aug. in Psal. 98. speaking in the person of Christ. The Disciples did not eat Christ corporally and substantially in the first institution no more do we in the reiteration of the same Supper.Non hoc corpus quod videtis manducaturi estis: et bibituri illum sanguinem quem fusuri sunt, qui me crucifigent. Sacramentū aliquod vobis commendaui: spiritualitèr intellectum viuificabit vos. Aug. in Psal. 98. speaking in the person of Christ. The Disciples did not eate Christ corporally and substantially in the first institution no more do we in the reiteration of the same Supper.
When thou seest the wine brought unto thee apart from the bread: then remember that the blood of Jesus Christ was as verily separated from his body upon the Cross for the remission of thy sins. And that this is the seal of that new covenant which GOD hath made to forgive all the sins of all ⟨p. 764⟩penitent sinners that believe the merits of his blood•heding. For the wine is not a Sacrament of Christs blood contained in his •eines: but as it was shed out of his body upon the Cross for the remission of the sins of all that believe in him.1
When thou seest the wine brought vnto thee apart from the bread: then remember that the bloud of Iesus Christ was as verily separated from his body vpon the Crosse for the remission of thy sinnes. And that this is the seale of that new couenant which GOD hath made to forgiue all the sinnes of al ⟨p. 764⟩penitent sinners that beleeue the merits of his blood•heding. For the wine is not a Sacrament of Christs blood contained in his •eines: but as it was shed out of his body vpon the Crosse for the remission of the sinnes of all that beleeue in him.1
As thou drinkest the wine, and pourest it out of the Cup into thy stomach; meditate and believe that by the merits of that blood which Christ shed upon the Cross, all thy sins are as verily forgiven, as thou hast now drunk this Sacramental Wine, and hast it in thy stomach. And in the instant of drinking settle thy meditation upon Christ▪ as he hanged upon the Cross: as if ⟨p. 765⟩like Mary and John, thou did see him nailed, and his blood running down his blessed side out of that ghastful wound which the Spear made in his innocent heart: wishing thy mouth closed to his side, that thou mightest receive that precious blood before it fell to the dusty earth. And yet the actual drinking of that real blood with thy mouth; would be nothing so *effectual, as this Sacramental drinking of that blood, spiritually by Faith. For one of the Soldiers might have drunk that, and been still a reprobate: but whosoever drinketh it spiritually by Faith in the Sacrament, shall surely have the Remission of his sins, ⟨p. 766⟩and Life everlasting.
As thou drinkest the wine, and pourest it out of the Cup into thy stomacke; meditate and beleeue that by the merits of that bloud vvhich Christ shed vpon the Crosse, all thy sinnes are as verely forgiuen, as thou hast now drunke this Sacramentall Wine, and hast it in thy stomach. And in the instant of drinking settle thy meditation vpon Christ▪ as he hanged vpon the Crosse: as if ⟨p. 765⟩like Mary and Iohn, thou did see him nailed, and his bloud running downe his blessed side out of that gastfull wound vvhich the Speare made in his innocent heart: wishing thy mouth closed to his side, that thou mightest receiue that precious bloud before it fell to the dustie earth. And yet the actuall drinking of that reall bloud with thy mouth; vvould be nothing so *effectuall, as this Sacramentall drinking of that bloud, spiritually by Faith. For one of the Souldiers might haue drunke that, and beene still a reprobate: but vvhosoeuer drinketh it spiritually by Faith in the Sacrament, shall surely haue the Remission of his sinnes, ⟨p. 766⟩and Life euerlasting.
*If remission of sins and eternal life had bin appropriated to the drinking of the real blood, doubtless John and Mary would have made means to have drunk it. But John ascribes the virtue to believing that it was shed.If remission of sinnes and eternall life had bin appropriated to the drinking of the reall bloud, doubtlesse Iohn and Mary would haue made meanes to haue drunke it. But Iohn ascribes the vertue to beleeuing that it was shed.
As thou feelest the Sacramental Wine which thou hast drunk, warming thy cold stomach: so endeavour to feel the Holy Ghost cherishing thy soul in the joyful assurance of the forgiveness of all thy sins, by the merits of the blood of Christ. And to this end God giveth every faithful soul together with the Sacramental blood, the holy Ghost to drink. We are all made to drink into one Spirit. 1And so lift up thy mind from the contemplation of Christ, as he was crucified upon the Cross:2 to consider how he now sits in glory at the right hand of his Father, making intercession for thee: by presenting ⟨p. 767⟩to his Father, the unvaluable merits of his death, which he once suffered for thee: to appease his Justice for the sins which thou dost daily commit against him.
As thou feelest the Sacramentall Wine vvhich thou hast drunke, warming thy cold stomach: so endeuour to feele the Holy Ghost cherishing thy soule in the ioyfull assurance of the forgiuenesse of all thy sinnes, by the merits of the bloud of Christ. And to this end God giueth euery faithfull soule together with the Sacramentall bloud, the holy Ghost to drinke. Wee are all made to drinke into one Spirit. 1And so lift vp thy minde from the contemplation of Christ, as hee vvas crucified vpon the Crosse:2 to consider how hee now sits in glory at the right hand of his Father, making intercession for thee: by presenting ⟨p. 767⟩to his Father, the vnualuable me•its of his death, which hee once suffered for thee: to appease his Iustice for the sins which thou dost daily commit against him.
After thou hast eaten and drunk both the Bread and Wine: labour that as those Sacramental Signs do turn to the nourishment of thy body, and by the digestion of heat become one with thy substance: so by the operation of Faith and the Holy Ghost thou mayest become one with Christ, and Christ with thee: and so mayest feel thy Communion with Christ confirmed and increased daily more and more. That as it is unpossible to separate the Bread and Wine digested ⟨p. 768⟩into the blood and substance of thy body: so it may be more unpossible to part Christ from thy Soul, or thy Soul from Christ.
After thou hast eaten and drunke both the Bread and Wine: labour that as those Sacramentall Signes do turne to the nourishment of thy body, and by the digestion of heate become one with thy substance: so by the operation of Faith and the Holy Ghost thou maist become one vvith Christ, and Christ with thee: and so maist feele thy Communion with Christ confirmed and encreased daily more and more. That as it is vnpossible to separate the Bread and Wine digested ⟨p. 768⟩into the bloud and substance of thy body: so it may be more vnpossible to part Christ from thy Soule, or thy Soule from Christ.
1Lastly, as the Bread of the Sacrament, though confected of many grains; yet makes but one Bread: so must thou remember, that though all the faithful are many: yet are they all but one Mystical Body, whereof Christ is Head. And therefore thou must love every Christian as thy self, and a member of thy body.
1Lastly, as the Bread of the Sacrament, though confected of many graines; yet makes but one Bread: so must thou remember, that though all the faithfull are many: yet are they all but one Mysticall Body, whereof Christ is Head. And therefore thou must loue euery Christian as thy selfe, and a member of thy body.
11 Cor. 10.17 Unus est panis communi notione Sacramenti, non autem necessario unus numero.1 Cor. 10.17 Vnus est panis communi notione Sacramenti, non autem necessario vnus numero.
The duty which we are to perform after the receiving of the L•rds Supper, is called Action or Practise: without which all the rest will minister unto us no comfort.
THe duetie vvhich vvee are to performe after the receiuing of the L•rds Supper, is called Action or Practise: without vvhich all the rest will minister vnto vs no comfort.
This Action consists of two sorts of duties: first, such as we are to perform in the Church: or else, after that we are gone home.
This Action consists of two sorts of duties: first, such as wee are to performe in the Church: or else, after that we are gone home.
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I resigne the whole possession of my heart vnto thy sacred Maiestie, entreating that I may not liue henceforth, but that thou maist liue in mee, speake in me, worke in me, and so to gouerne me by thy spirit that nothing may be pleasing vnto me, but that which is acceptable vnto thee. That finishing my course in the life of grace, I may afterwards liue with thee for euer in thy kingdome of glory. Grant this, O Lord Iesu, for the merits of thy death and bloodshedding. Amen.
