A27107:771
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
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;