A27107:706
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
A27107:706
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.
When Prayers begin, lay aside thine own private meditations; and let thine heart join with the Minister, and the whole Church, as being one body of Christ;1 and because that God is the God of order, he will have all things to be done in the Church witha one heart and accord: and the exercises of the Church areb common and public. It is therefore an ignorant pride, for a man to think his own private prayers more effectual than the public prayers of the whole Church. Solomon therefore adviseth a man not to be rash, 4to utter a thing in the Church before God. Pray therefore when the Church prayeth, sing when they sing, and in the action of kneeling, 5standing, 6sitting, and such indifferent ceremonies (for the avoiding of scandal, the continuance ⟨p. 274⟩of Charity, and in testimony of thine obedience)† conform thy self to the manner of the Church wherein thou livest.
WHen Prayers begin, lay aside thine own private meditations; and let thine heart joyn with the Minister, and the whole Church, as being one body of Christ;1 and because that God is the God of order, he will have all things to be done in the Church witha one heart and accord: and the exercises of the Church areb common and publick. It is therefore an ignorant pride, for a man to think his own private prayers more effectual than the publick prayers of the whole Church. Solomon therefore adviseth a man not to be rash, 4to utter a thing in the Church before God. Pray therefore when the Church prayeth, si•g when they sing, and in the action of kneeling, 5standi•g, 6sitting, and such indifferent ceremonies (for the avoiding of scandal, the continuance ⟨p. 274⟩of Charity, and in testimony of thine obedience)† conform thy self to the manner of the Church wherein thou livest.
Whilst the Preacher is expounding and applying the Word of the Lord, look upon him; for it is a great help to stir up thine attention, and to keep thee from wandering thoughts: soa the Eyes of all that were in the Synagogues, are said to be fastened on Christ whilst he preached: and that ball the people hanged upon him when they heard him Remember that thou art there as one of Christ's Disciples, to learn the knowledge of Salvation, by the remission of sins, through the tender mercy of God, Luke 1. ver. 77.
Whilest the Preacher is expounding and applying the Word of the Lord, look upon him; for it is a great help to stir up thine attention, and to keep thee from wandering thoughts: soa the Eyes of all that were in the Synagogues, are said to be fastened on Christ whilst he preached: and that ball the people hanged upon him when they heard him Remember that thou art there as one of Christ's Disciples, to learn the knowledge of Salvation, by the remission of sins, through the tender mercy of God, Luke 1. ver. 77.
Be not therefore in the School of Christ, like an idle boy in a Grammar School, that often heareth, but never learneth his lesson: and still goeth to School, but profiteth nothing. Thou hatest it in a child. Christ detesteth it in thee. To the end therefore, that thou mayest the better profit by hearing, mark;
Be not therefore in the School of Christ, like an idle boy in a Grammar School, that often heareth, but never learneth his lesson: and still goeth to School, but pro•iteth nothing. Thou hatest it in a child. Christ detesteth it in thee. To the end therefore, that thou maist the better profit by hearing, mark;
1. The Coherence and Explication of the Text.
2. The chief Sum or Scope of the Holy Ghost in that Text.
3. The division or parts of the Text.
4. The doctrines; and in every doctrine the proofs, the reasons and the uses thereof.
A method of all others, easiest for the people (being accustomed thereto) to help them to remember the Sermon. and therefore much wished to be put in ⟨p. 275⟩practice of all faithful Pastors, who desire to edify their people in the knowledge of God, and his true Religion.
A method of all others, easiest for the people (being accustomed thereto) to help them to remember the Sermon. and therefore much wished to be put in ⟨p. 275⟩practice of all faithful Pastors, who desire to edifie their people in the knowledge of God, and his true Religion.
If the Preacher's method be too curious or confused, then labour to remember.
1. How many things he taught, which thou knewest not before: and be thankful.
2. What sins he reproved, whereof thy conscience tells thee that thou art guilty; and therefore must be amended.
3. What Virtues he exhorteth unto, which are not so perfect in thee, and therefore endeavour to practice them with more zeal and diligence.
3. What Vertues he exhorteth unto, which are not so perfect in thee, and therefore endeavour to practice them with more zeal and diligence.
But in hearing, apply every speech as spoken to thy self, rather by* God than by Man: and labour not so much to hear the words of the Preacher sounding in thine ear, as to feel the operation of the Spirit working in thy heart. Therefore it is said so often,† Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit speaks to the Church. And,3 Did not our hearts burn within as, whilst he opened unto us the Scriptures? And thus to hear the Word, hatha a blessing promised thereto. It is the acceptablest bsacrificing of our selves unto God. It is thec surest note of Christ's Saints; thed truest mark of Christ's sheep; thee apparentest sign of God's Elect; the very blood, as it were, which uniteth us to be the fspiritual kindred, brethren and sisters of the Son of God. This is the best art of Memory for a good hearer.
But in hearing, apply every speech as spoken to thy self, rather by* God than by Man: and labour not so much to hear the words of the Preacher sounding in thine ear, as to feel the opperation of the Spirit working in thy heart. Therefore it is said so often,† Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit speaks to the Church. And,3 Did not our hearts burn within as, whilst he opened unto us the Scriptures? And thus to hear the Word, hath
When the Sermon is ended, 1. Beware ⟨p. 276⟩thou depart not like the nine lepers, till that for thine instruction to saving health, thou hast returned thanks and praise to God by an after-prayer, and singing of a Psalm. And when the blessing is pronounced, stand up to receive thy part therein, and hear it,1 as if Christ himself (whose Minister he is) did pronounce the same unto thee;2 for in this case it is true; He that heareth you, heareth me: and the Sabbath-day is blessed, because God hath appointed it to be the day, wherein by the Mouth of his Ministers, he will bless his people, which hear his word, and glorify his Name. 3For tho' the Sabbath-day in it self be no more blessed than the other six days; yet (because the Lord hath appointed it to holy uses above others) it doth as far excel the other days of the week, as the consecrated bread, (which we receive at the Lord's Table) doth the common bread which we eat at our own Table.
When the Sermon is ended, 1. Beware ⟨p. 276⟩thou depart not like the nine lepers, till that for thine instruction to saving health, thou hast returned thanks and praise to God by an after-prayer, and singing of a Psalm. And when the blessing is pronounced, stand up to receive thy part therein, and hear it,1 as if Christ himself (whose Minister he is) did pronounce the same unto thee;2 for in this case it is true; He that heareth you, heareth me: and the Sabbath-day is blessed, because God hath appointed it to be the day, wherein by the Mouth of his Ministers, he will bless his people, which hear his word, and glorifie his Name. 3For tho' the Sabbath-day in it self be no more blessed than the other six days; yet (because the Lord hath appointed it to holy uses above others) it doth as far excel the other days of the week, as the consecrated bread, (which we receive at the Lord's Table) doth the common bread which we eat at our own Table.
2. If it be a Communion-day, draw near to the Lord's Table in the Wedding-Garment of a faithful and penitent heart to be partaker of so holy a banquet.