The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please…

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