A05817:918
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.
The duties to be performed jointly with the Church, are three. First, public thanksgiving, both by prayers and singing of Psalms, 1thus Christ himself and his Apostles did. Secondly, Joining with the church, in giving (every man according to his ability) toward the relief of ⟨p. 786⟩the poor. This was the manner of the Primitive Churches to make a Collections and *Love-feasts after the Lords Supper, for the relief of the poor Christians. Thirdly, When thanks and praise is ended: then with all reverence to stand up, and to receive the blessing of God, by the mouth of his Minister, and to receive it, as if thou diddest hear God himself pronouncing it unto thee from heaven. For by *their blessing, God doth bless his people.
THe duties to be performed ioyntly with the Church, are three. First, publike thankesgiuing, both by praiers and singing of Psalmes, 1thus Christ himselfe and his Apostles did. Secondly, Ioyning with the church, in giuing (euery man according to his ability) toward the reliefe of ⟨p. 786⟩the poore. This was the manner of the Primitiue Churches to make a Collections and *Loue-feasts after the Lords Supper, for the reliefe of the poore Christians. Thirdly, When thankes and praise is ended: then with all reuerence to stand vp, and to receiue the blessing of God, by the mouth of his Minister, and to receiue it, as if thou diddest heare God himselfe pronouncing it vnto thee from heauen. For by *their blessing, God doth blesse his people.
Thus far of the duties to be practised in the Church.
Thus farre of the duties to be practised in the Church.
The duties which thou art to practise after that thou art departed home, are three. First, to observe diligently, ⟨p. 787⟩whether thou hast truly received CHRIST in the Sacrament. Which thou mayest thus easily perceive: for seeing his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, 1and that he is so full of grace, that no man ever touched him by faith, but he received virtue from him. It cannot possibly be, that if thou hast eaten his flesh, or drunk his blood, but thou shalt receive grace and power to be cleansed from thy sins and filthiness. For if the Hemorise, that did but touch his garment, had her bloody issue that continued so long, forthwith stanched:2 How much more will the bloody issue of thy sin, be stanched, if thou then hast truly eaten and ⟨p. 788⟩drunk the very flesh and blood of Christ? But if thy issue still runneth, thou mayest justly suspect, thou hast never yet truly touched Christ.
The duties which thou art to practise after that thou art departed home, are three. First, to obserue diligently, ⟨p. 787⟩whether thou hast truely receiued CHRIST in the Sacrament. Which thou maiest thus easily perceiue: for seeing his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drinke indeede, 1and that he is so full of grace, that no man euer touched him by faith, but he receiued vertue from him. It cannot possibly be, that if thou hast eaten his flesh, or drunke his blood, but thou shalt receiue grace and power to bee clensed from thy sinnes and filthynesse. For if the Hemorise, that did but touch his garment, had her bloody issue that continued so long, forthwith stanched:2 How much more will the bloody issue of thy sinne, be stanched, if thou then hast truely eaten and ⟨p. 788⟩
Secondly, Seeing thou hast now reconciled thy self to GOD, and renewed thy Covenant, and vowed newness and amendment of life. Thou must therefore have a special care, that thou doest not yield to commit thy former sins any more: knowing that the unclean spirit, 1if ever he can get into thy Soul again, after that it is swept and garnished: he will enter forcible possession with 7. other Devils worse then himself: So that the end of that man shall be worse then his beginning. Be ye not ⟨p. 789⟩therefore like the Dog that returns to his vomit, 2or the washed sow that walloweth in the mire again. And return not to thy malice, like to the Adder, who laying aside her poison while she drinks, takes it up again when she hath done. But when either the Devil or thy flesh shall offer to tempt and move thee to relapse into thy former sins: answer them as the Spouse doth in the Canticles, I have put off my coat (of my former corruption) how shall I put it on? 3I have washed my feet how shall I defile them again?
Secondly, Seeing thou hast now reconciled thy selfe to GOD, and renewed thy Couenant, and vowed newnesse and amendment of life. Thou must therefore haue a special care, that thou doest not yeeld to commit thy form•r sinnes any more: knowing that the vncleane spirit, 1if euer he can get into thy Soule againe, after that it is swept and garnished: hee will enter forcible possession with 7. other Diuels worse then himselfe: So that the end of that man shall bee worse then his beginning. Be yee not ⟨p. 789⟩therefore like the Dogge that returnes to his vomi•, 2or the washed sow that walloweth in the mire againe. And returne not to thy malice, like to the Adder, who laying aside her poyson while shee drinkes, takes it vp againe when shee hath done. But when either the Diuel or thy flesh shall offer to tempt and mooue thee to relapse into thy former sinnes: answere them as the Spouse doth in the Canticles, I haue put off my coate (of my former corruption) how shall I put it on?
Lastly if ever thou hast found either joy or comfort in receiving the holy Sacrament; let it appear by thy ⟨p. 790⟩eager desire of receiving it often again. For the body of Christ as i• was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows:1 so doth it yield a sweeter savour then all the ointments of the world. The fragrant smell whereof, allureth all souls who have once tasted the sweetness thereof, ever after to desire oftener to taste thereof again. Because of the savour of thy good ointment, therefore do the Virgins love thee. 2O taste therefore and often see how good the Lord is, saith David;3 This is the commandment of CHRIST himself,4 Do this in remembrance of me, and in doing this thou shalt show thy self best mindful and thankful for ⟨p. 791⟩his death.5 For as oft as ye shall eat this bread and drink this cup, ye shall show the Lords death until he come. And let this be the chief end whereunto, both thy receiving and living tendeth: that thou mayest be a holy Christian, zealous of good works, purged from sin, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; that thou mayest be acceptable to God, profitable to thy brethren, and comfortable unto thine own soul.
Lastly if euer thou hast found either ioy or comfort in receiuing the holy Sacrament; let it appeare by thy ⟨p. 790⟩eager desire of receiuing it often againe. For the body of Christ as i• was annointed with the oyle of gladnesse aboue his fellowes:1
Thus far of the manner of glorifying God in thy life.
Thus farre of the manner of glorifying God in thy life.
AS soon as thou perceivest thy self to be visited with any sickness; meditate with thy self:
AS soone as thou perceiuest thy selfe to be visited with any sicknesse; meditate with thy selfe:
1 That misery cometh not forth of the dust: 1neither doth affliction spring out of the earth. Sickness comes not by hap or chance, (as the Philistims supposed that their Mice and Emerods came:2) but from mans wickedness, which as sparkles ⟨p. 793⟩breaketh out. Man suffereth (saith Jeremiah,) for his sins. 3Fools (saith David) by reason of their transgressions, 4and because of their iniquities are afflicted. As therefore Solomon advised a man to carry himself towards an earthly Prince: 5If the spirit of him that ruleth, rise up against thee: leave not thy place, for gentleness pacifieth great sins: so counsel I thee, to deal with the Prince of Princes: If the spirit of him, that ruleth heaven and earth rise up against thee, let not thy heart despair; for repentance pacifieth great sins.6 And whosoever returneth in his affliction, to the Lord God of Israel, and seeks him, he will be found of him.
1 That misery commeth not forth of the dust: 1neither doth affliction spring out of the earth. Sicknesse comes not by hap or chance, (as the Philistimes supposed that their Mise and Emeroides came:2) but from mans wickednesse, vvhich as sparkles ⟨p. 793⟩breaketh out. Man suffereth (saith Ieremie,) for his sinnes. 3Fooles (saith Dauid) by reason of their transgressions,
12 Shut too thy Chamber door:2 Examine thine own Heart upon thy bed. Search and try thy ways:3 Search as diligently for thy capital sin (as Joshua did for Achan) till thou findest it:4 for albeit GOD, when he beginneth to chasten his Children, hath respect to all their sins: yet when his anger is incensed: he chiefly taketh occasion to chasten, and enter with them into Judgement, for some one grievous sin, wherein they have lived without Repentance.
12 Shut too thy Chamber doore:2 Examine thine owne Heart vpon thy bed. Search and try thy wayes:3 Search as diligently for thy capitall sinne (as Ioshua did for Achan) till thou findest it:4 for albeit GOD, when he beginneth to chasten his Children, hath respect to all their sinnes: yet vvhen his anger is incensed: he chiefely taketh occasion to chasten, and enter vvith them into Iudgement, for some one grieuous sinne, wherein they haue liued without Repentance.
3 When thou hast thus considered all thy sins, put thy self before the Judgement seat of God, as a felon or murderer standing at ⟨p. 795⟩the Bar of an earthly Judge: and with grief and sorrow of heart confess unto God all thy known sins, especially thy Capital offences, wherewith GOD is chiefly displeased. Lay them open, with all the circumstances of the time, place, 1and manner how they were committed; as may most serve to aggravate the heinousness of thy sins, and to show the contrition of thy heart for the same. Lift up thine hand, and acknowledge thy self before the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, guilty of eternal death and damnation, for those thy heinous sins and transgressions. And having thus accused and judged thy self;2 cast down thy self ⟨p. 796⟩before the Foot-stool of his Throne of Grace: assuring thy self, that whatsoever the Kings of Israel be;3 yet the GOD of Israel is a merciful God. And cry unto him from a penitent and faithful heart, for mercy and forgiveness: as eager, and earnest, as ever thou knewest a malefactor, being to receive his sentence, crying unto the Judge for favour, and pardon: vowing amendment of life, and (by the assistance of his Grace) never to commit the like sin any more. All which thou mayest do in these or the like words.
3 When thou hast thus considered all thy sinnes, put thy selfe before the Iudgement seate of God, as a fellon or murtherer standing at ⟨p. 795⟩the Bar of an earthly Iudge: and with griefe and sorrow of heart confesse vnto God all thy knowne sinnes, especially thy Capitall offences, wherewith GOD is chiefely displeased. Lay them open, with all the circumstances of the time, place, 1and manner how they were committed; as may most serue to aggrauate the hainousnesse of thy sinnes, and to shew the contrition of thy heart for the same. Lift vp thine hand, and acknowledge thy selfe before the righteous Iudge of heauen and earth, guilty of eternall death and damnation, for those thy hainous sinnes and transgressions. And hauing thus accused and iudged thy selfe;
O Most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ, my gracious Father: I wretched sinner, do here return unto thee (though driven with pain and sickness,) like the prodigal child, with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune: but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved: and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me. 1Yet I do well perceive,2 that in wrath thou rememberest mercy: ⟨p. 798⟩When I consider how many, and how heinous are my sins, and how few and easy are thy corrections. Thou mightest have strucken me with some fearful and sudden death, whereby I should not have had either time or space to have called upon thee for grace and mercy; and so I should have perished in my sins, and been for ever condemned in Hell.
O Most righteous Iudge, yet in Iesus Christ, my gracious Father: I wretched sinner, doe here returne vnto thee (though driuen with paine and sicknesse,) like the prodigall childe, with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sicknesse and paine comes not by blinde chance or fortune: but by thy diuine prouidence and speciall appointment. It is the stroke of thy heauie hand, vvhich my sinnes haue iustly deserued: and the things that I feared are now fallen vpon mee. 1Yet I doe vvell perceiue,2 that in wrath thou remembrest mercie: ⟨p. 798⟩When I consider how many, and how hainous are my sinnes, and how few and easie are thy corrections. Thou mightest haue strucken me with some fearefull and sodaine death, vvhereby I should not haue had eyther time or space to haue called vpon thee for grace and mercy; and so I should haue perished in my sinnes, and beene for euer condemned in Hell.
