A27107:447
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
A27107:447
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.
Having thus begun, keep all the day after as diligent a watch as thou canst, over all thy thoughts, words, and actions, which thou mayest easily do, by craving the assistance of God's holy Spirit, 1and observing these few rules.
HAving thus begun, keep all the day after as diligent a watch as thou canst, over all thy thoughts, words, and actions, which thou maiest easily do, by craving the assistance of God's holy Spirit, 1and observing these few rules.
1. BEa careful to suppress every sin in the first motion Dashb Babylon's children, (whilst they are young) against the stones Tread (Betimes)c the Cockatrice's ⟨p. 163⟩egg, lest it break out into a Serpent. Let sin be to thy heart a stranger, not a home-dweller. Take heed of falling oft into the same sin, lest the custom of sinning †take away the conscience of sin, and then shalt thou was so impudently wicked, that thou wilt neither fear God nor reverence Man.
3. Desire not to fulfil thy mind in all things; but learn to deny thy self those desires (tho' never so pleasing to thy nature) which being attained, will draw either scandal on thy Religion, or hatred to thy Person. Consider in every thing the end before thou attempt the Action.
4. Labour daily more and more to see thine own miseri, through unbelief, self-love, and wilful Breaches of God's Law: and the necessity of God's mercy through the merits of Christ's Passion, to be such; that if thou wert demanded, What is the vilest creature upon earth? Thy Conscience may answer, Mine own self by reason of my great sins: and that if on the other side thou wert asked, What thou esteemest to be the m•st precious thing in the world? thy heart might answer, One drop of Christ's blood, to wash away my sins. And as thou tenderest the salvation of thy soul, live not ⟨p. 164⟩in any wilful filthiness. For true faith and the purpose of sinning, can never stand together.
5. Approve thy self to be a true servant of Christ, not only in thy general Calling, as in the frequent use of the Word and Sacraments; but also in thy particular, in making conscience to eschew every known sin, and to obey God in every one of his Commandments; like Josiah *who turned to God with all his heart, according to all the law of Moses: and Zechariah and Elizabeth, who walked in all the Commandments of God without reproof But if at any time through frailty, thou slippest into any sin, lie not in it, but speedily rise out of it by unfeigned repentance; praying for pardon, till thy conscience be pacified, thy hatred of sin increased, and thy purpose of amendment confirmed.
5. Approve thy self to be a true servant of Christ, not only in thy general Calling, as in the frequent use of the Word and Sacraments; but also in thy particular, in making conscience to eschew every known sin, and to obey God in every one of his Commandments; like Josias *who turned to God with all his heart, according to all the law of Moses: and Zachary and Elizabeth, who walked in all the Commandments of God without reproof But if at any time through frailty, thou slippest into any sin, lie not in it, but speedily rise out of it by unfeigned repentance; praying for pardo•, till thy conscience be pacified, thy hatred of sin encreased, and thy purpose of amendment confirmed.
6. Beware of affecting Popularity by adulation: the end never proves good; and though attained by due deserts, yet manage it wisely, lest it prove more dangerous than contempt. For States desire but to keep down, whom they contemn for their unworthiness, but to cut off, whom they envy for their greatness: He therefore is truly prudent who (considering the premises) neither affecteth nor neglecteth popularity. But in any wise take heed of harbouring a† discontented mind; for it may work thee more woe than thou art aware of. It is a special mercy, in the multitude of so many blessings, as thou dost enjoy, ⟨p. 165⟩to have some crosses. God gives thee many blessings, lest through want (being his child) thou shouldst despair: and he sends thee some crosses, lest by too much prosperity (playing the fool) thou shouldst presume. Many who have mounted to great dignities, would have contented themselves witha meaner, had they known their bgreat dangers: affect therefore competency, rather than eminency. And in all thy will, have ever an eye to God's will, lest thy self-action turn to thine own destruction. Happy the Man, who in this short life is cleast known of the World, so that he doth truly know God, and himself! whatsoever cross therefore thou hast to discontent thee, remember, that it is less than thy sins have deserved. Count therefore Christ▪ thy chiefest joy, 5and sin thy greatest grief: esteem no want, to the want of Grace; nor any loss, to the loss of God's favour: and then the discontentment for outward means shall the less perplex thine inward mind. And as oft as Satan shall offer any motion of discontentment to thy mind, remember Saint Paul's admonition,6 We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain, 7
7. Bestow no more thought upon worldly things than thou needs must, for the discharge of thy place, and thea maintenance of thy estate: but still let thy care be greater 2for* heavenly, than earthly things: and be more grieved for ab dishonour done to God, than for an injury offered to thy self: but if any private injury be offered unto thee,5 bear it as a Christian, with patience. Never was an innocent man wronged, but if he patiently bare his cross, he† overcame in the end. But thy good name in the mean while is wounded: bear that also with patience. For he that at the last day will give thy body a resurrection; will as sure in his good time, grant a resurrection to thy good name. If impatiently thou frettest and vexest at thy wrongs, the hurt which thou dost thy self, is more than that which thine enemy can do unto thee. Neither canst thou more rejoice him, than to hear that it thoroughly vexeth thee. But if thou canst show, patience on earth, God will show himself just from heaven. Pray for him; for, if thou be a good man thy self, thou canst not but rejoice, if thou shouldest see thy worst enemy to become a good man too. But if he still continueth in his malice, and increaseth in his mischief, give thou thy self unto Prayer, committing thy self, and commending thy cause unto ⟨p. 167⟩the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, saying with Jeremiah; 7O Lord of host that judgest righteously, and triest the reins and the heart: vengeance is thine, and unto thee have I opened my cause. In the mean while wait (with David) on the Lord: be of good-courage, and he shall comfort thine heart.
7. Bestow no more thought upon worldly things than thou needs must, for the discharge of thy place, and the
8. The more others commend thee for an excellent act,1 be thou the more humble in thine own thoughts. Affect not the vain praises of men: the blessed Virgin was troubled when she was truly praised of an Angel. They shall be praised of Angels in heaven, who have eschewed the praises of Men on Earth. Neither needest thou praise thy self; deal but uprightly,* others will do that for thee. Be not thou curious to know other mens doings, but rather be careful that no man know any ill dealings by thee.
8. The more others commend thee for an excellent act,1 be thou the more humble in thine own thoughts. Affect not the vain praises of men: the blessed Virgin was troubled when she was truly praised of an Angel. They shall be praised of Angels in heaven, who have eschew'd the praises of Men on Earth. Neither need'st thou praise thy self; deal but uprightly,* others will do that for thee. Be not thou curious to know other mens doings, but rather be careful that no man know any ill dealings by thee.
9. Esteem no sin little, for the curse of God is due to the least; and the least would have damned thee, had not the Son of God died for thee. Bewail therefore the misery of thine own state: and as occasion is ministeredc •orn for the iniquity of the time. Pray to God to amend it, and be not thou one of them that make it worse.
9. Esteem no sin little, for the curse of God is due to the least; and the least would have damned thee, had not the Son of God died for thee. Bewail therefore the misery of thine own state: and as occasion is minist•edc •orn for the iniquity of the time. Pray to God to amend it, and be not thou one of them that make it worse.
10. Lastly, Think often of thed shortness of thy life, and certainty of death: and wish rather a good life than a long. For,2 as one day of Man's life is to be preferred before the longest age of a Stag, 3or Raven? so one day spend religiously, is to be higher ⟨p. 168⟩valued, that a man's* whole life that is consumed in profaneness.
10. Lastly, Think often of thed shortness of thy life, and certainty of death: and wish rather a good life than a long. For,2 as one day of Man's life is to be preferred before the longest age of a Stag, 3or Raven? so one day spend religiously, is to be higher ⟨p. 168⟩valued, that a man's* whole life that is consumed in prophaneness.
Cast over therefore once every day, the number of thy days, by subtracting those that are past (as being vanished like yester-nights dream) contracting them that are to come, (since the one half must be slept out, the rest made uncomfortable, by the troubles of the World, 1thine own sickness, and the death of friends:) counting †only the present day thine; which spend, as if thou wert to spend no more.
Cast over therefore once every day, the number of thy days, by substracting those that are past (as being vanished like yester-nights dream) contracting them that are to come, (since the one half must be slept out, the rest made uncomfortable, by the troubles of the World, 1thine own sickness, and the death of friends:) counting †only the present day thine; which spend, as if thou wert to spend no more.