A27107:768
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.
This Penitency consists in Three things: First, an inward insight of sin, and sense of misery. Secondly, a bewailing of thy vile estate. Thirdly, an humble and particular confession of all thy known sins.
1. Of the inward insight of sin, and s••se of misery.
This sense and insight will be effected in thee: First, by considering thy sins, especially thy gross sins, according to the circumstances of the time when, place where, manner how, and persons with whom it was committed. Secondly, the Majesty of God against whom it was done: and the rather, because thou didst such things against him since he became a Father unto thee, and bestowed so many sweet blessings, in bountiful manner upon thee, Thirdly, in considering the curses which God hath threatened for thy sin: how grievously God hath plagued others for the same fault, and how that no means in Heaven or Earth could deliver thee from being eternally damned for them, had not the son of God so lovingly died for thee Lastly, That if God loves thee, he must chasten thee ere it be long, with some grievous affliction; 1unless thou dost prevent him by speedy and unfeigned repentance. Let these and the like considerations, so prick thy heart with sorrow, that melting for remorse within thee, it may be dissolved into a fountain of tears, trickling down thy mournful Cheeks. This mourning is the beginning of true fasting, and therefore oft-times* put for fasting, the first and principal part for the whole action.
This sense and insight will be effected in thee: First, by considering thy sins, especially thy gross sins, according to the circumstances of the time when, place where, manner how, and persons with whom it was committed. Secondly, the Majesty of God against whom it was done: and the rather, because thou didst such things against him since he became a Father unto thee, and bestowed so many sweet blessings, in bountiful manner upon thee, Thirdly, in considering the curses which God hath threatned for thy sin: how grievously God hath plagued others for the same fault, and how that no means in Heaven or Earth could deliver thee from being eternally damned for them, had not the son of God so lovingly died for thee Lastly, That if God loves thee, he must chasten thee ere it be long, with some grievous affliction; 1unless thou dost prevent him by speedy and unfeigned repentance. Let these and the like considerations, so prick thy heart with sorrow, that melting for remorse within thee, it may be dissolved into a fountain of tears, trickling down thy mournful Cheeks. This mourning is the beginning of true fasting, and therefore oft-times* put for fasting, the first and principal part for the whole action.
2. Of the bewailing of thine own estate.
bBewailing or lamentation, is the pouring ⟨p. 294⟩out of the inward mourning of the heart, by the outward means of the voice, and tears of the eyes. With such filial earnestness and importunity in prayer, is our heavenly Father well pleased. Nay, when it is the fruit of his Spirit, and the effect of our faith, he cannot be displeased with it. For if he heard the moans which extremity wrong fromc Ismael and Hagar; and heareth the cry of the dyoung ravens, and roaring ofe Lyons, how much rather will he hear the mournful lamentations which his own Children make unto him in their misery?
In this action thou must deal plainly with God, 1and acknowledge all the sins thou knowest, not only in general, but also in particular. This hath been the manner of all God's Children in their Fasts: first,2 because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy or forgiveness of sins. Secondly, That so thou mayest acknowledge God to be just, 3and thy self unrighteous. Thirdly, That by the numbering of thy sins, thy heart may be the more humbled and pulled down. Fourthly, That it may appear, that thou art truly penitent: for till God hath given thee grace to repent, thou wilt be more ashamed to confess thy fault, than to commit thy sin. The plainer thou deale•• in this respect with God, the more graciously will God deal with thee: for if thou dost acknowledge thy sins, 4God ⟨p. 295⟩is faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins: and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son shall cleanse thee from all thy sins.
In this action thou must deal plainly with God, 1and acknowledge all the sins thou knowest, not only in general, but also in particular. This hath been the manner of all God's Children in their Fasts: first,2 because that without Confession thou hast no promise of mercy or forgiveness of sins. Secondly, That so thou maist acknowledge God to be just, 3and thy self unrighteous. Thirdly, That by the numbring of thy sins, thy heart may be the more humbled and pulled down. Fourthly, That it may appear, that thou art truly penitent: for till God hath given thee grace to repent, thou wilt be more ashamed to confess thy fault, than to commit thy sin. The plainer thou deale•• in this respect with God, the more graciously will God deal with thee: for if thou dost acknowledge thy sins, 4God ⟨p. 295⟩is faithful and just to forgive thee thy sins: and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son shall clearse thee from all thy sins.
To help thee the better to perform these three parts of Penitency, thou must diligently read such Chapters and Portions of the holy Scriptures, as do chiefly concern thy particular sins: that thou mayest see God's curse and judgments on others for the like sins, and be the more humbled thy self.
To help thee the better to perform these three parts of Penitency, thou must diligently read such Chapters and Portions of the holy Scriptures, as do chiefly concern thy particular sins: that thou maist see God's curse and judgments on others for the like sins, and be the more humbled thy self.
Thus far of the first part of Repentance, which is penitency.
The other part which is Amendment of life, consists; First, in devout Prayer: Secondly, in devout Actions
This devout Prayer, which we make in time of Fasting, 1in either deprecation of evil, or craving needful good things.
Deprecation of evil, is, when thou beseechest GOD for Christ the Mediator's sake, to pardon unto thee those sins which thou hast confessed, and to turn from thee those judgments which are due unto there for thy sins. And as Benhadad, because the heard,1 That the King of Israel was merciful, prostrated himself unto him with a r•pe about his neck; so because thou knowest that the King of Heaven is merciful, cast down thy self in his presence, in all true signs of humiliation (especially,2 seeing h• calleth upon thee to come unto him in thy troubles) and doubtless thou shalt find him most merciful.
Deprecation of evil, is, when thou beseech•st GOD for Christ the Mediator's sake, to pardon unto thee those sins which thou hast confessed, and to turn from thee those judgments which are due unto there for thy sins. And as Benhadad, because the heard,1 That the King of Israel was merciful, prostrated himself unto him with a r•pe about his neck; so because thou knowest that the King of Heaven is merciful, cast down thy self in his presence, in all true signs of humiliation (especially,2 seeing h• calleth upon thee to come unto him in thy troubles) and doubtless thou shalt find him most merciful.
The craving of needful good things, is▪ First, a fervent and faithful begging of God, to seal by his Spirit in thy heart, the assurance of the forgiveness of all thy sins.1 Secondly, to renew thy heart by the Holy Ghost, so that sin may daily decay, and righteousness more and more increase in thee. 2Lastly, in desiring a supply of faith, patience, chastity, and all other graces which thou wantest: and an increase of those which God of his mercy hath bestowed upon thee already.
