A27107:411
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
London: printed for Edward Brewster, 1695
A27107:411
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
London: printed for Edward Brewster, 1695
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
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.
But for as much, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating of the Word of God, are the Parents of Prayers: therefore before thou prayest in the Morning, first, read a Chapter in the word of God; then meditate a while with thy self how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it.
BUt for as much, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating of the Word of God, are the Parents of Prayers: therefore before thou prayest in the Morning, first, read a Chapter in the word of God; then meditate a while with thy self how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it.
As first: what good counsels or exhortations to good works, and to holy life.
Second what threatenings of judgments against such and such a sin: and what fearful examples of Gods punishment or vengeance upon such and such sinners.
Second what threatnings of judgments against such and such a sin: and what fearful examples of Gods punishment or vengeance upon such and such sinners.
Thirdly, what blessings God promiseth to patience, chastity, mercy, alms-deed, zeal in his service, charity, faith, and trust in God and such like Christian virtues.
Thirdly, what blessings God promiseth to patience, chastity, mercy, alms-deed, zeal in his service, charity, faith, and trust in God and such like Christian vertues.
Fourthly, what gracious deliverances God hath wrought, and what sp•cial blessings he hath bestowed upon them, who were his true and zealous servants.
Fifthly, Apply these things to thine own heart, and read not these Chapters, as matters of Historical discourse: but as if they were so many Letters or Epistles sent down from God out of Heaven unto thee: for whatsoever is w•itten, is written for our learning, Rom 15. 4.
Sixthly, Read them therefore with that reverence, as if God himself stood by, and spake these words unto thee, to excite thee to those virtues; to dissuade thee from those vices; assuring thy self, that if such sins (as thou readest there) be found in thee without repentance, the like plagues will fall upon thee; but if thou doest practise the like piety▪ and virtuous deeds, the like blessings shall come unto thee and thine.
Sixthly, Read them therefore with that reverence, as if God himself stood by, and spake these words unto thee, to excite thee to those virtues; to dissuade thee from those vices; assuring thy self, that if such sins (as thou readest there) be found in thee without repentance, the like plagues will fall upon thee; but if thou doest practise the like piet▪ and vertuous deeds, the like blessi•gs shall come unto thee and thine.
In a word, apply all that thou readest in H Scripture, to one of these two heads chiefly; either to confirm thy faith; or to increase thy repentance; for as Sustine & Abstine, bear and forbear, 1was the Epitome of a good Philosopher's life, so Creed & Resipisee, believe and repent, is the whole sum of a true Christian's profession. One Chapter thus read with understanding, and meditated with application, will better feed and comfort thy soul, than five read and run over without marking their scope or sense, or making any use thereof to thine own self. If in this manner thou shalt read three Chapters every day; one in the Morning, and another at Noon, and the third at Night (reading so many Psalms instead of a Chapter as our Church Liturgy ⟨p. 145⟩appoints for morning or evening Prayers) thou shalt read over all the Canonical aScripture in a year, except six Chapters, which thou mayest add to the task of the last day of the year. The reading of the Bible in order will help thee the better to understand both the History and scope of the H. Scripture. And as for theb Apocrypha, being but penned by Man's spirit, thou mayest read them at thy pleasure, but believe them so far as they agree with the Canonical Scripture, which is indited by the Holy Ghost.
In a word, apply all that thou readest in H Scripture, to one of these two heads chiefly; either to confirm thy faith; or to increase thy repentance; for as Sustine & Abstine, bear and forbear, 1was the Epitome of a good Philosopher's life, so Crede & Resipisee, believe and repent, is the whole sum of a true Christian's profession. One Chapter thus read with understanding, and meditated with application, will better feed and comfort thy soul, than five read and run over without marking their scope or sense, or making any use thereof to thine own self. If in this manner thou shalt read three Chapters every day; one in the Morning, and another at Noon, and the third at Night (reading so many Psalms instead of a Chapter as our Church Liturgy ⟨p. 145⟩
But it may be thou wilt say, that thy business will not permit thee so much time, as to read every morning a Chapter, &c. O Man, remember that thy life is but short, and that all this business is but for the use of this short life; but salvation or damnation is everlasting. Rise up therefore every morning by so much time the earlier; defraud thy foggy flesh of so much sleep, but rob not thy soul of her food, nor God of his service; and serve the Almighty duly whilst thou hast time and health.
Having thus read thy Chapter, as thou art about to pray, remember that God is a God of choliness, whereof he warneth us by repeating so often,d Be ye holy, for I am holy. ⟨p. 146⟩And when he devoured with a sudden fire, Nadab and Abihu, for offering unto him incense with* strange fire, (like those now-a-days, who offer Prayers from hearts fraught with the fire of lust and malice:) the Lord would give no other reason of his judgment but this, I will be sanctified in them that come near me. 4As if he should have said, If I cannot be sanctified by them who are my servants, in serving me with that holiness that they should, I will be sanctified on them, by confounding them with my just judgments, which, their lewdness doth deserve. God therefore cannot abide any wilful uncleanness, or filthiness in them, who serve him: insomuch that he commanded the Israelites, That when they were in Camp against their Enemies, they should dig a hole with a paddle, 5and cover their excrements: his reason is, For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst o• thy Camp, to deliver th•e, and to give thee thine Enemies before thee: therefore thy host shall be holy, that he see no filthy thing in thee, and turn away from thee. If he will have Men to be so holy in time of war in the Field, how much more holiness expecteth he at our hands in time of peace in our houses? therefore saith Zophar in Job: 6If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hand towards God to pray: if iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let no wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle. 7For, as Isaiah saith, If there be any uncleanness in our hands, (that ⟨p. 147⟩
shut thy chamber-door, and kneel down at thy bed-side, or some other convenient place, and in reverent manner lifting up thy heart, together with thy hands and eyes, as in the presence of God, who seeth the inward intention of thy soul, offer up unto God from the Altar of a contrite heart, thy prayer as a morning-sacrifice, through the mediation of Christ, in these or the like words.
O Most mighty and glorious God, full of incomprehensible Power and Majesty, whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain:1 look down from heaven upon me, thine unworthy servant, who here prostrate my self at the afootstool of thy bThrone of Grace. But look upon me, O Father, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, cthy beloved Son, in whom only thou art well pleased. For, of my self, I am not worthy to stand in thy presence, or to speak with mine unclean ⟨p. 148⟩alips to so holy a God as thou art. For thou knowest that inb sin I was conceived and born, and that I have lived ever since in iniquity: so that I have broken all thy holy Commandments by sinful motions, unclean cthoughts, 8evil words, 9and wicked10 works domitting many of those duties of Piety which thou requirest for thy service, and committing many of those vices, which thou (under the penalty of thy displeasure)12 hast forbidden.13
O Most mighty and glorious God, full of incomprehensible Power and Majesty, whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain:
[Here thou mayest confess unto God thy secret sins, which do most burden thy conscience: with the circumstances of the time, place, person and manner, how it was committed, saying, But more especially, O Lord, I do here, with grief of heart, confess unto thee, &c.]
[Here thou maist confess unto God thy secret sins, which do most burthen thy conscience: with the circumstances of the time, place, person and manner, how it was committed, saying, But more especially, O Lord, I do here, with grief of heart, confess unto thee, &c.]
And for these my sins,1 O Lord, I stand here guilty of thy curse, 2with all the miseries of this life,3 and everlasting torments in hell fire, 4when this wretched life is ended▪ if thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts. Yea, Lord, I confess, that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever, 5and thy compassion which never fails, that is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed. But with thee, O Lord, 6there is mercy and plenteous redemption. 7In the multitude therefore of thy Mercy, 8and confidence in Christ's Merits, I entreat thy divine Majesty, that thou wouldst not enter into judgment 9with thy servant, neither be extreme to mark what I have hitherto done amiss: for if thou dost, then then can no flesh be justified in thy sight, ⟨p. 149⟩nor any living stand in thy presence. But be thou merciful unto me,10 and wash away all the uncleanness of my sin, 11with the merits of that precious blood, which Jesus Christ hath shed for me. And seeing that he hath born the burden of that curse, 12which was due to my transgressions. O Lord, deliver me from my sins, and from all those judgments which hang over my head, as due unto me for them: and separate them as far
and as thou dost add days unto my life; so, good Lord, I beseech thee, add repentance and amendment to my days, that as I grow in years, so may I increase in grace, and favour with thee, and all thy people. And to this end, give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me, and necessary for me with an increase of all those good gifts, wherewith thou hast already endowed me; that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life, and honest conversation, as that thy Name may thereby be glorified, others may take good example by me, and my soul may more cheerfully feed on the peace of a good conscience, 1and be more replenished with the joy of the Holy Ghost. And hear, O Lord, according to my bounded duty, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks, for all those Blessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me. And namely, for that thou hast of thy free love, according to thine eternal purpose, 2elected me before the foundation of the world was laid,3 unto salvation in Jesus Christ: for that thou hast created me after thine own Image, 4and hast begun to restore that in me,5 which was lost in our first Parents:6 for that thou hast effectually called me by the working of thy Spirit, 7in the preaching of the Gospel, and receiving of the Sacrament, 8to ⟨p. 151⟩the knowledge of thy saving grace and cobedience of thy blessed will for that thou hast bought and redeemed me with the blood of thine only begotten Son,
Having thus read thy Chapter, as thou art about to pray, remember that God is a God of choliness, whereof he warneth us by repeating so often,d Be ye holy, for I am holy. ⟨p. 146⟩And when he devoured with a sudden fire, Nadab and Abihu, for offering unto him incense with* strange fire, (like those now-a-days, who offer Prayers from hearts fraught with the fire of lust and malice:) the Lord would give no other reason of his judgment but this, I will be sanctified in them that come near me. 4As if he should have said, If I cannot be sanctified by them who are my servants, in serving me with that holiness that they should, I will be sanctified on them, by confounding them with my just judgments, which, their lewdness doth deserve. God therefore cannot abide any wilful uncleanness, or filthiness in them, who serve him: insomuch that he commanded the Israelites, That when they were in Camp against their Enemies, they should dig a hole with a paddle, 5and cover their excrements: his reason is, For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst o• thy Camp, to deliver th•e, and to give thee thine Enemies before thee: therefore thy host shall be holy, that he see no filthy thing in thee, and turn away from thee. If he will have Men to be so holy in time of war in the Field, how much more holiness expecteth he at our hands in time of peace in our houses? therefore saith Zophar in Job: 6If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hand towards God to pray: if iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let no wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle. 7For, as Esay saith, If there be any uncleanness in our hands, (that ⟨p. 147⟩is, any sin whereof we have not repented) tho' we stretch not our hands unto him, and make many prayers, the Lord will hide his eyes from us, and will not hear our prayers. Therefore before thou prayest, let God see that thy heart is sorrowful for thy sin: and that thy mind is resolved (through the assistance of his grace) to amend thy faults. And then having washed thy self, and adorned thy body with appar•l which beseemeth thy calling, and the Image of God, which thou bearest;
And for these my sins,1 O Lord, I stand here guilty of thy curse, 2with all the miseries of this life,3 and everlasting torments in hell fire, 4when this wretched life is ended▪ if thou shouldest deal with me according to my deserts. Yea, Lord, I confess, that it is thy mercy which endureth for ever, 5and thy compassion which never fails, that is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed. But with thee, O Lord, 6there is mercy and plenteous redemption. 7In the mutitude therefore of thy Mercy, 8and confidence in Christ's Merits, I intreat thy divine Majesty, that thou wouldst not enter into judgment 9with thy servant, neither be extreme to mark what I have hitherto done amiss: for if thou dost, then then can no flesh be justified in thy sight, ⟨p. 149⟩nor any living stand in thy presence. But be thou merciful unto me,10 and wash away all the uncleanness of my sin, 11with the merits of that precious blood, which Jesus Christ hath shed for me. And seeing that he hath born the burthen of that curse, 12which was due to my transgressions. O Lord, deliver me from my sins, and from all those judgments which hang over my head, as due unto me for them: and separate them as far 13from thy presence, as the East is from the West: bury them in the burial of Christ, that they may never have power to rise up against14 me to shame me in this life, 15or to condemn me in the world which is to come. And I beseech thee, O Lord, not only to wash away my sins with the blood of thine immaculate Lamb; 16but also to purge my heart, by thy holy Spirit,17 from the dross of my natural corruption:18 that I may feel thy Spirit▪ more and more killing my sin in the power and practice thereof: so that I may with more freedom of mind, and liberty of will serve thee the everlasting God in righteousness 19and holiness this day. And give me grace, that by the direction and assistance of the same thy holy Spirit, I may presevere to be thy faithful and unfeigned servant unto20 my life's end: that when this mortal life is ended, I may be made a partaker of immortality, and everlasting happiness in thy heavenly kingdom. In the mean time, O Lord, whilst it is thy blessed will and pleasure, that I may continue to spend, and end that small number and remnant of days, which thou ⟨p. 150⟩hast appointed for me to live in this vale of misery:21 Teach me so to number my days, that I may apply my heart unto wisdom:
and as thou dost add days unto my life; so, good Lord, I beseech thee, add repentance and amendment to my days, that as I grow in years, so may I increase in grace, and favour with thee, and all thy people. And to this end, give unto me a supply of all those graces which thou knowest to be wanting in me, and necessary for me with an increase of all those good gifts, wherewith thou hast already endowed me; that so I may be the better enabled to lead such a godly life, and honest conversation, as that thy Name may thereby be glorified, others may take good example by me, and my soul may more chearfully feed on the peace of a good conscience, 1and be more replenished with the joy of the Holy Ghost. And hear, O Lord, according to my bounded duty, I give thee most humble and hearty thanks, for all those Bessings which of thy goodness thou hast bestowed upon me. And namely, for that thou hast of thy free love, according to thine eternal purpose, 2elected me before the foundation of the world was laid,3 unto salvation in Jesus Christ: for that thou hast created me after thine own Image, 4and hast begun to restore that in me,5 which was lost in our first Parents:6 for that thou hast effectually called me by the working of thy Spirit, 7in the preaching of the Gospel, and receiving of the Sacrament, 8to ⟨p. 151⟩the knowledge of thy saving grace and cobedience of thy blessed will for that thou hast bought and redeemed me with the blood of thine only begotten Son, 10from the torments of Hell, amd thrall of Satan; for that thou hast by faith in dChrist freely justified me,12 who am by nature the Child of wrath: 13for that thou hast in good measure 14sanctified me by thy holy Spirit, and given me so large a time to repent,15 together with the means of repentance.16 I thank thee likewise, good Lord, for my life, health, wealth, food, raiment, peace, prosperity and plenty: and for that thou hast preserved me this night from all perils and dangers of body and soul, and hast brought me lafe to the beginning of this day. And as thou hast now wakned my body from sleep; so I beseech thee waken my soul from sin, and carnal security: and as thou hast caused the light of the day to shine in my bodily eyes; so good Lord, cause the light of thy Word and holy Spirit, 17to illuminate my heart: and give me grace, as one of thy children of light, 18to walk in all holy obedience before thy face this day:19