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 Heavenly Father, who art the Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, 1and hast made us these souls, 2and hast appointed us the time, as to come into this world,3 so (having finished our course) to go out of the same: The number of my days,4 which thou hast determined, are now expired; and I am come to that utmost bound, which thou hast appointed, beyond which I cannot pass. I know ⟨p. 873⟩O Lord,5 that if thou enterest into judgement, no flesh can be justified in thy sight: And I, O Lord, of all others should appear most impure and unjust;6 for I have not fought that good fight, for the defence of thy faith and religion, with that zeal and constancy that I should: but for fear of displeasing the world. I have given •ay unto sins and errors, and for desire to please my flesh, I have broken all thy commandments, in thought, word and deed: so that my sins have taken such hold on me, 7that I am not able to look up, and they are moe in number then the hairs of my head.
and loaden with all iniquities, that most justly deserve thy heaviest wrath. But O my Lord, and my GOD, for Jesus Christ thy Sons sake, in whom only thou art well pleased with all penitent and believing sinners,
and rose again for my justification. And seeing that he hath endured that death, and borne the burden of that Judgement which was due unto my sins; O Father,
for his death, and passions sake, now (that I am coming to appear before thy Judgement seat) acquit and deliver me from that fearful Judgement, which my sins have justly deserved. And perform with me that gracious, and comfortable promise, which thou hast made in thy Gospel: That whosoever believeth in thee hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into Judgement, but shall pass from death unto life.
O Heauenly Father, who art the Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, 1and hast made vs these soules, 2and hast appointed vs the time, as to come into this world,3 so (hauing finished our course) to goe out of the same: The number of my daies,4 vvhich thou hast determined, are now expired; and I am come to that vtmost bound, which thou hast appointed, beyond which I cannot passe. I know ⟨p. 873⟩O Lord,5 that if thou entrest into iudgement, no flesh can bee iustifyed in thy sight: And I, O Lord, of all others should appeare most impure and vniust;6 for I haue not fought that good fight, for the defence of thy faith and religion, with that zeal and constancy that I should: but for feare of displeasing the world. I haue giuen •ay vnto sinnes and errours, and for desire to please my flesh, I haue broken all thy commandements, in thought, word and deede: so that my sinnes haue taken such hold on me, 7that I am not able to looke vp, and they are moe in number then the haires of my head. 8If thou wilt straightly marke mine iniquiti•s, O Lord, where shall I stand? If thou ⟨p. 874⟩waighest me in the ballance, 9I shall be found too light: For I am voide of all righteousnesse that might merit thy mercy;10 and loaden with all iniquities, that most iustly deserue thy heauiest wrath. But O my Lord, and my GOD, for Iesus Christ thy Sonnes sake, in whom only thou art wel pleased with all penitent and beleeuing sinners,11 take pitty and compassion vpon mee, who am the chiefe of sinners:12 blot out all my sinnes out of thy remembrance, and wash away all my transgressions out of thy sight,13 with the pretious bloud of thy Sonne,14 which I beleeue that he (as an vndefiled Lambe hath shed for the clensing of my sinnes.15 In this faith I liued, ⟨p. 875⟩in this faith I die; beleeuing that Iesus Christ died for my sinnes, 16and rose againe for my iustification. And seeing that he hath endured that death, and borne the burthen of that Iudgement which was due vnto my sinnes; O Father,17 for his death, and passions sake, now (that I am comming to appeare before thy Iudgement seat) acquite and deliuer me from that fearfull Iudgement, which my sinnes haue iustly deserued. And performe with me that gracious, and comfortable promise, which thou hast made in thy Gospell: That whosoeuer beleeueth in thee hath euerlasting life, 18and shall not come into Iudgement, but shall passe from death vnto life.
Strengthen,1 O CHRIST, my faith, that I may put the whole confidence of my salvation in the merits of thy obedience and blood. Increase O holy Spirit, my patience, lay no more upon me then I am able to bear: 2and enable me to bear so much as shall stand with thy blessed will, and pleasure. O blessed Trinity in unity, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, vouchsafe that as my outward man doth decay: so my inward man may more & more by thy grace and consolation increase, and gather strength. O Saviour, put my soul in a readiness, that (like a wise Virgin, 3having the wedding Garment of thy righteousness,4 and holiness:) ⟨p. 877⟩she may be ready to meet thee at thy coming with oil in her lamp. 5Marry her unto thy self, that she may be one with thee in everlasting love and fellowship.67O Lord reprove Satan, and chase him away. Deliver my soul from the power of the dog. 8Save me from the Lions mouth. I thank thee, O Lord, for all thy blessings both spiritual and temporal bestowed upon me; especially for my Redemption by the death of my Saviour Christ. I thank thee that thou hast protected me with thy holy Angel• from my youth up until now. Lord I beseech thee,9 give them a charge to attend upon me, till thou callest for ⟨p. 878⟩my soul; and then to carry her (as they did the soul of Lazarus) into thy heavenly kingdom. 1011And as the time of my departure shall approach nearer unto me: so grant, O Lord, that my soul may draw nearer unto thee. And that I may joyfully commend her into thy hands, 12as into the hands of a loving Father, and merciful Redeemer; and at that instant, O Lord, graciously receive my spirit. 13All which that I may do, assist me, I beseech thee with thy grace; and let thy holy spirit continue with me unto the end, and in the end, for Jesus Christ his sake, thy Son, my Lord, and only Saviour; In whose name I give thee thy glory, and ⟨p. 879⟩beg these things at thy hand, in that prayer, which he himself hath taught me.
Strengthen,1 O CHRIST, my faith, that I may put the whole confidence of my saluation in the merits of thy obedience and blood. Encrease O holy Spirit, my patience, lay no more vpon me then I am able to beare: 2and enable mee to beare so much as shall stand with thy blessed will, and pleasure. O blessed Trinity in vnity, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, vouchsafe that as my outward man doth decay: so my inward man may more & more by thy grace and consolation encrease, and gather strength. O Sauiour, put my soule in a readinesse, that (like a wise Virgin, 3hauing the wedding Garment of thy righteousnesse,4 and holinesse:) ⟨p. 877⟩shee may be ready to meete thee at thy comming with oyle in her lampe. 5Marrie her vnto thy selfe, that shee may bee one with thee in euerlasting loue and fellowship.67O Lord reproue Sathan, and chase him away. Deliuer my soule from the power of the dogge. 8Saue me from the Lions mouth. I thanke thee, O Lord, for all thy blessings both spirituall and temporall bestowed vpon me; especially for my Redemption by the death of my Sauiour Christ. I thanke thee that thou hast protected me with thy holy Angel• from my youth vp vntil now. Lord I beseech thee,9 giue them a charge to attend vpon me, till thou callest for ⟨p. 878⟩my soule; and then to carry her (as they did the soule of Lazarus) into thy heauenly kingdome. 1011And as the time of my departure shall approach neerer vnto me: so grant, O Lord, that my soule may drawe neerer vnto thee. And that I may ioyfully commend her into thy hands,
IT is found by continual experience, that near the time of death, (when the children of GOD are weakest:) then Satan makes the greatest flourish of his strength: and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knoweth that either he must now or never prevail: for if their souls once get to heaven; he shall ⟨p. 880⟩never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the judgements of God which are due unto them; thereby to drive them if he can, to despair, which is a grievouser sin then all the sins that they committed, or he can accuse them of.
IT is found by continuall experience, that neere the time of death, (when the children of GOD are weakest:) then Sathan makes the greatest flourish of his strength: and assailes them with his strongest temptations. For hee knoweth that either he must now or neuer preuaile: for if their soules once get to heauen; he shall ⟨p. 880⟩neuer v•xe nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestirre himselfe as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the grosse sinnes which euer they committed, and the iudgements of God which are due vnto them; thereby to driue them if he can, to despaire, which is a grieuouser sinne then all the sinnes that they committed, or hee can accuse them of.
2 Make satisfaction unto those men, whom thou ⟨p. 881⟩hast wronged, if thou be able. And if thou doest injuriously or fraudulently detain or keep in thy possession, any lands or goods, that of right do belong unto any Widow, or Fatherless child: presume not as thou tenderest thy souls health; to look Christ the righteous Judge in the face: unless thou doest first make a restitution thereof to the right owners. For the Law of God under the penalty of his curse, requireth thee, to restore whatsoever was given thee to keep, 1or which was committed to thy trust, or whatsoever by robbery, or violent oppression thou tookest from thy neighbour, with a fifth part for amends added to the principal. ⟨p. 882⟩And unless that like Zacheus thou doest make restitution of such goods and lands according to Gods law;2 thou canst never truly repent: and without true Repentance thou canst never be saved. 3But though by the temptation of the Devil thou hast done wrong and injury: yet if thou doest truly repent and make restitution to thy power, the Lord hath promised to be merciful unto thee, to hear the prayers of his faithful ministers for thee,4 to forgive thee thy trespass and sin: and to receive thy soul in the merits of Christs blood, 5as a Lamb without blemish.
2 Make satisfaction vnto those men, whom thou ⟨p. 881⟩hast wronged, if thou bee able. And if thou doest iniuriously or fraudulently detaine or keepe in thy possession, any lands or goods, that of right doe belong vnto any Widow, or Fatherlesse childe: presume not as thou tenderest thy soules health; to looke Christ the righteous Iudge in the face: vnlesse thou doest first make a restitution thereof to the right owners. For the Law of God vnder the penalty of his curse, requireth thee, to restore whatsoeuer was giuen thee to keepe, 1or which was committed to thy trust, or whatsoeuer by robbery, or violent oppression thou tookest from thy neighbour, with a fift part for amends added to the principall. ⟨p. 882⟩And vnlesse that like Zacheus thou doest make restitution of such goods and lands according to Gods law;2 thou canst neuer truly repent: and without true Repentance thou canst neuer bee saued. 3But though by the temptation of the Diuell thou hast done wrong and iniury: yet if thou doest truly repent and make restitution to thy power, the Lord hath promised to bee mercifull vnto thee, to heare the praiers of his faithfull ministers for thee,4 to forgiue thee thy trespasse and sinne: and to receiue thy soule in the merits of Christs blood, 5as a Lambe without blemish.
1Levit. 6.2.3.4. &c. Nū. 5.6.7.8 Non remittitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum.Leuit. 6.2.3.4. &c. Nū. 5.6.7.8 Non remittitur peccatum nisi restituatur ablatum.
3 Ask GOD for Christ his sake pardon and forgiveness. And then these troubles ⟨p. 883⟩of mind are no discouragements, but rather comforts: exercises, not punishments. They are assurances unto thee, that thou art in the right way: for the way to Heaven is by the gates of Hell: that is, by suffering pains in the body, and such doubtings in the mind, that thy estate in this life being every way made bitter, the joys of eternal life may relish unto thee better and more sweet.
3 Aske GOD for Christ his sake pardon and forgiuenesse. And then these troubles ⟨p. 883⟩of minde are no discouragements, but rather comforts: exercises, not punishments. They are assurances vnto thee, that thou art in the right way: for the way to Heauen is by the gates of Hell: that is, by suffering paines in the body, and such doubtings in the minde, that thy estate in this life being euery way made bitter, the ioyes of eternall life may relish vnto thee better and more sweet.
1 That the truest faith hath oftentimes the least feeling and greatest doubts;1 but so long as thou hatest such doubtings, they shall not be laid unto thy charge: for ⟨p. 884⟩they belong to the flesh, 2from which thou art divorced. When thy flesh shall perish, thy weak inward man, which hates them, and loves the Lord Jesus, shall be saved.
1 That the truest faith hath oftentimes the least feeling and greatest doubts;1 but so long as thou hatest such doubtings, they shall not be laide vnto thy charge: for ⟨p. 884⟩they belong to the flesh, 2from which thou art diuorced. When thy flesh shall perish, thy weake inward man, which hates them, and loues the Lord Iesus, shall be saued.
2 That it is a better faith to believe without feeling then with feeling.1 The least faith (so much as a grain of mustard seed, so much as is in an infant baptized) is enough to save the soul,2 which loveth CHRIST, and believeth in him.
2 That it is a better faith to beleeue without feeling then with feeling.1 The least faith (so much as a graine of mustard seed, so much as is in an infant baptized) is inough to saue the soule,2 which loueth CHRIST, and beleeueth in him.
3 That the child of God, which desireth to fe•le the assurance of Gods favour,1 shall have his desire, when God shall see it to be for his good: for God hath promised to give them the water of life, 2who thirst for it. We ⟨p. 885⟩have an example in *Master Glover, the holy Martyr, who could have no comfortable feeling till he came to the sight of the stake; and then cried out, and clapped his hands for joy to his friend, saying, O Austen, he is come, he is come; meaning the feeling joy of faith and the holy Ghost. Tarry therefore the Lord• leisure, be strong, 4and he shall comfort thine heart.
3 That the child of God, which desireth to fe•le the assurance of Gods fauour,1 shall haue his desire, when God shall see it to bee for his good: for God hath promised to giue them the water of life, 2who thirst for it. Wee ⟨p. 885⟩haue an example in *Master Glouer, the holy Martyr, who could haue no comfortable feeling till hee came to the sight of the stake; and then cryed out, and clapped his hands for ioy to his friend, saying, O Austen, hee is come, he is come; meaning the feeling ioy of faith and the holy Ghost. Tarry therefore the Lord• leasure, be strong, 4and he shall comfort thine heart.
1 That upon true repentance it is as easy with GOD to forgive the greatest sin as the least;1 and he is as willing, to forgive many, 2as to pardon one. And his mercy ⟨p. 886⟩shineth more in pardoning great sinners then small offenders; as appears in the examples of Manasseh, Magdalene, 3Peter, Paul, &c. And where sin most abounded, there doth his grace rejoice to abound much more.
1 That vpon true repentance it is as easie with GOD to forgiue the greatest sinne as the least;1 and he is as willing, to forgiue many, 2as to pardon one. And his mercy ⟨p. 886⟩shineth more in pardoning great sinners then small offenders; as appeares in the examples of Manasses, Magdalene, 3Peter, Paul, &c. And where sinne most abounded, there doth his grace reioyce to abound much more.
All which that I may doe, assist me, I beseech thee with thy grace; and let thy holy spirit continue with me vnto the end, and in the end, for Iesus Christ his sake, thy Sonne, my Lord, and onely Sauiour; In whose name I giue thee thy glory, and
⟨p. 879⟩
begge these things at thy hand, in that prayer, which he himselfe hath taught me.
