A27107:867
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
A27107:867
The practice of piety directing a Christian how to walk, that he may please God / amplified by the author
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.
O God and heavenly Father, when I consider the goodness which thou hast ever showed unto me,1 and the wickedness which I have committed against heaven and against thee, I am ashamed of my self, and confusion seems to cover my face as a veil; for which of thy Commandments have I not transgressed? O Lord, I stand here guilty of the breach of all thy holy Laws. For the love of my heart hath not so entirely cleaved unto thy *2 Majesty as to vain and earthly things: I have not feared thy judgments to debtor me from sins, nor trusted to thy promises, to keep me from doubting of my temporal, or from despairing of mine eternal state. I have made the rule of thy† divine worship, to be what my mind thought fit, not what thy Word prescribed; finding my heart more prone to remember my blessed Saviour in a painted Picture of Man's device, rather than to be behold him crucified in his Word and Sacraments, after his own ordinance. Where* I should never use thy Name (whereat all knees do bow) but with religious reverence; nor any part of thy worship, without due preparation and zeal: I have blasphemously abused thy holy ⟨p. 331⟩Name to rash and customary oaths; yea, I have used oaths by thy sacred name, as false covers of my filthy sins. And I have been present at thy Service oft-times more for ceremony than conscience, and to please Men more than to please thee my gracious God.
O God and heavenly Father, when I consider the goodness which thou hast ever shewed unto me,1 and the wickedness which I have committed against heaven and against thee, I am ashamed of my self, and confusion seems to cover my face as a veil; for which of thy Commandments have I not transgressed? O Lord, I stand here guilty of the breach of all thy holy Laws. For the love of my heart hath not so intirely cleaved unto thy *2 Majesty as to vain and earthly things: I have not feared thy judgments to deterr me from sins, nor trusted to thy promises, to keep me from doubting of my temporal, or from despairing of mine eternal state. I have made the rule of thy† divine worship, to be what my mind thought fit, not what thy Word prescribed; finding my heart more prone to remember my blessed Saviour in a painted Picture of Man's device, rather than to be behold him crucified in his Word and Sacraments, after his own ordinance. Where* I should never use thy Name (whereat all knees do bow) but with religious reverence; nor any part of thy worship, without due preparation and zeal: I have blasphemously abused thy holy ⟨p. 331⟩Name to rash and customary oaths; yea, I have used oaths by thy sacred name, as false covers of my filthy sins. And I have been present at thy Service oft-times more for ceremony than conscience, and to please Men more than to please thee my gracious God.
Where I should sanctify thy† Sabbath-day, by being present at* the public exercises of the Church, and by meditating privately on the word and works of God, and by visiting the sick anda relieving of my poor brethren: alas I have thought those holy Exercises a burden, because they hindered my vain sports: yea, I have spent many of thy Sabbaths in my own bprofane Pleasures, without being present at any part of thy divine worship.
Where I should sanctifie thy† Sabbath-day, by being present at* the publick exercises of the Church, and by meditating privately on the word and works of God, and by visiting the sick anda relieving of my poor brethren: alas I have thought those holy Exercises a burden, because they hindred my vain sports: yea, I have spent many of thy Sabbaths in my own bprophane Pleasures, without being present at any part of thy divine worship.
Where I should have given all due reverence to myc Natural, Ecclesiastical, and Politic Parents, I have not showed that measure of duty and affection to my Parents, which their care and kindness hath deserved. I have not had thy Ministers in such singular dlove for their works sake, as I ought: but I have taunted at their zeal, and hated them because they reproved me justly. And I have carried my self contemptuously against thye Magistrates and Ministers, though I knew that it is […] ordinance, that I should be obedient unto them.
Where I should have given all due reverence to myc Natural, Ecclesiastical, and Politick Parents, I have not shewed that measure of duty and affection to my Parents, which their care and kindness hath deserved. I have not had thy Ministers in such singular dlove for their works sake, as I ought: but I have taunted at their zeal, and hated them because they reproved me justly. And I have carried my self contemptuously against thye M•gistrates and Ministers, though I knew that it is 〈…〉 ordinance, that I should be obedient unto them.
fWhere I should beg sl•w to wrath, and hready to forgive offences, and not […] the Sun to go down upon my wrath, but to […] ⟨p. 332⟩good for evil, loving my very enemies for thy sake: I, alas, for one sorry word, have burst out into open rage; and harbouring thoughts of mischief in my heart, I have preferred to feed on mine own malice, rather than to eat of thy holy Supper,
fWhere I should beg sl•w to wrath, and hready to forgive offences, and not 〈…〉 the Sun to go down upon my wrath, but to 〈…〉 ⟨p. 332⟩good for evil, loving my very enemies for thy sake: I, alas, for one sorry word, have burst out into open rage; and harbouring thoughts of mischief in my heart, I have preferred to feed on mine own malice, rather than to eat of thy holy Supper,
Where I should keep my Mind from all filthy lusts, 1and my Body from all uncleanness: 2O Lord, I have defiled both, and made my Heart a Cage of all impure thoughts,3 and my Mind a very sty of the unclean Spirit. Yea, the remedy which thou (Lord) hast ordained for incontinency, could not contain me within the bounds of Chastity: for by doting on beauty, whose grounds is but dust, Satan hath bewitched my flesh to lust after strange flesh.
Where I should keep my Mind from all filthy lusts, 1and my Body from all uncleanness: 2O Lord, I have defiled both, and made my Heart a Cage of all impure thoughts,3 and my Mind a very st•e of the unclean Spirit. Yea, the remedy which thou (Lord) hast ordained for incontinency, could not contain me within the bounds of Chastity: for by doting on beauty, whose grounds is but dust, Satan hath bewitched my flesh to lust after strange flesh.
Where I should have lived in uprightness, 1giving every Man his due, being contented with mine own Estate, and living conscionably in my lawful Calling, should be ready (according to mine Ability) to lend anda give unto the Poor: O Lord, I have by oppression, extortion, bribes, cavillation, and other indirect dealings, under pretence of my Calling and Office, robbed and purloined from my fellow Christians: yea, I have received and suffered Christ, where I was trusted, many a time, in his poor members, to stand hungry, cold and naked at my Door, and hungry, cold and naked to go away succourless, as he came; and when the leanness of his checks pleaded ⟨p. 333⟩pity, the hardness of my heart would show no compassion.
Where I should have lived in uprightness, 1giv•ng every Man his due, being contented with mine own Estate, and living cons•ionably in my lawful Calling, should be ready (according to mine Ability) to lend anda give unto the Poor: O Lord, I have by oppression, extortion, bribes, cavillation, and other indirect dealings, under pretence of my Calling and Office, robbed and purloined from my fellow Christians: yea, I have received and suffered Christ, where I was trusted, many a time, in his poor members, to stand hungry, cold and naked at my Door, and hungry, cold and naked to go away succourless, as he came; and when the leanness of his checks pleaded ⟨p. 333⟩pity, the hardness of my heart would shew no compassion.
Where I should have made conscience toa speak the truth in simplicity, 2without any falsehood;b prudently imaging aright, and charitably con•••ing all things in the best part; and should have defended thec good name and credit of my Neighbour: alas, (vile wretch that I am) I have belied andd slandered my fellow-brother, and as soon as I heard an ill report, I made my tongue the Instrument of the Devil, to blazon that abroad unto others, before I knew the truth of it my self. I was so far from speaking a good word, in defence of his good name; that it tickled my heart in secret to hear one that I envied, to be taxed with such a blemish: tho' I knew that otherwise the graces of God shined in him in abundant measure. I made jests of officious, and advantage of pernicious lies: herein showing my self a right *Certain, rather than an upright Christian.
Where I should have made conscience toa speak the truth in simplicity, 2without any falsehood;b prudently imaging aright, and charitably con•••ing all things in the best part; and should have defended thec good name and credit of my Neighbour: alas, (vile wretch that I am) I have belyed andd slandered my fellow-brother, and as soon as I heard an ill report, I made my tongue the Instrument of the Devil, to blazon that abroad unto others, before I knew the truth of it my self. I was so far from speaking a good word, in defence of his good name; that it tickled my heart in secret to hear one that I envied, to be taxed with such a blemish: tho' I knew that otherwise the graces of God shined in him in abundant measure. I made jests of officious, and advantage of pernicious lies: herein shewing my self a right
And lastly (O Lord) where I should have rested† fully contented with that portion which thy Majesty thought m••r•st to bestow upon me in this Pilgrimage; and rejoiced in another's good as in mine own: alas my life hath been nothing else but a greedy lusting after this Neighbours house, and that Neighbours land; yea, secretly wishing such a man dead, that I might have his living or office, cov••i•g ⟨p. 334⟩rather those things which thou hast bestowed on another, rather than being thankful for that which thou hast given unto my self. Thus I, O Lord, who am a carnal sinner, and sold under sin, have transgressed all thy holy and spiritual Commandments, from the first to the last, from the greatest unto the least: and hear I stand guilty before thy Judgment-seat, of all the breaches of all thy laws; and therefore liable to thy curse, and to all the miseries that Justice can pour forth upon so cursed a creature. And whether shall I go for deliverance from this misery? Angels blush at my Rebellion, and will not help me: Men are guilty of the like transgression, and cannot help themselves. Shall I then despair with Cain, or make away my self with Judas? No, Lord, for that were but to end the miseries of this life, and to begin the endless torments of hell: I will rather appeal to thy Throne of Grace, 2where mercy reigns to pardon abounding sins; and out of the depth of my miseries, I will cry with* David, for the depth of thy mercies. Though thou shouldest kill me with afflictions, yet will I, like Job,b put my trust in thee. Though thou shouldest drown me in the Sea of thy displeasure, with Jonah, yet will I catch such hold on thy Mercy, that I will be taken up dead, clasping her with both my hands. And though thou shouldest cast me into the bowels of Hell, 5
and reach from Heaven thy helping hand to save me thy poor servant who am (like Peter) ready to sink in the Sea of my sins and misery. Wash away the multitude of my sins with the merits of that Blood which I believe that thou hast so abundantly shed for penitent sinners.
And now that I am to receive this day the blessed Sacrament of thy precious Body and Blood; O Lord I beseech thee, let thy holy Spirit, by thy Sacrament, seal unto my soul, that by the merits of thy Death and Passion, all my sins are so freely and fully remitted and forgiven, that the curses and judgments which my sins have deserved, may never have power either to confound me in this life, or to condemn me in the world which is to come. For my steadfast faith is, that thou hast died for my sins, 1and risen again for my justification. This I believe, O Lord, help mine unbelief. Work in me likewise, ⟨p. 336⟩I beseech thee, an unfeigned repentance, that I may heartily bewail my former sins, and loath them, and serve thee henceforth in newness of life, and greater measure of holy devotion. And let my soul never forget the infinite love of so sweet a Saviour, that hath laid down his life to redeem so vile a sinner. And grant, Lord, that having received these seals and pledges of my Communion with thee, thou mayest henceforth so dwell by the Spirit in me, and I so live by faith in thee, that I may carefully walk all the days of my li•e, in godliness and piety towards thee, and in Christian love and charity towards all my Neighbours: that living in thy fear I may die in thy favour, and after death he made partaker of eternal life through Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Saviour. Amen.
And now that I am to receive this day the blessed Sacrament of thy precious Body and Blood; O Lord I beseech thee, let thy holy Spirit, by thy Sacrament, seal unto my soul, that by the merits of thy Death and Passion, all my sins are so freely and fully remitted and forgiven, that the curses and judgments which my sins have deserved, may never have power either to confound me in this life, or to condemn me in the world which is to come. For my stedfast faith is, that thou hast died for my sins, 1and risen again for my justification. This I believe, O Lord, help mine unbelief. Work in me likewise, ⟨p. 336⟩I beseech thee, an unfeigned repentance, that I may hear•ily bewail my former sins, and loath them, and serve thee henceforth in newness of life, and greater measure of holy devotion. And let my soul never forget the infinite love of so sweet a Saviour, that hath laid down his life to redeem so vile a sinner. And grant, Lord, that having received these seals and pledges of my Communion with thee, thou maiest henceforth so dwell by the Spirit in me, and I so live by faith in thee, that I may carefully walk all the days of my lie, in godliness and piety towards thee, and in Christian love and charity towards all my Neighbours: that living in thy fear I may die in thy favour, and after death he made partaker of eternal life through Jesus Christ, my Lord and only Saviour. Amen.
These means are duties of Two sorts: the former respecting God; the latter our Neighbour Those which respect God, are Three: First sound Knowledge: Secondly, true Faith: Thirdly, unfeigned Repentance. That which respecteth our Neighbour, is but one sincere Charity.
THese means are duties of Two sorts: the former respecting God; the latter our Neighbour Those which respect God, are Three: First sound Knowledge: Secondly, true Faith: Thirdly, unfeigned Repentance. That which respecteth our Neighbour, is but one sincere Charity.
Sound aKnowledge is a sanctified understanding of the first Principles of Religion. As first, Of the Trinity of Persons in the unity ⟨p. 337⟩of the God-head. Secondly, Of the creation of Man, and his Fall. Thirdly, Of the curse and misery due to sin. Fourthly, Of the Natures and Offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death, especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments, sealing the same unto us. For as an house cannot be built unless the foundation he first laid; so no more can Religion stand, unless it be first grounded upon the certain knowledge of God's Word. Secondly, If we know not God's Will, we can neither believe nor do the same. For as worldly businesses cannot be done but by them who have skill therein; so without knowledge must men be much more ignorant in divine and spiritual matters. And yet in temporal things a Man may do much by the light of nature: but in religious mysteries, the more we rely upon *natural reason, the further we are from comprehending spiritual Truth. Which discovers the fearful estate of those who receive without knowledge, and the more fearful estate of those Pastors who minister unto them without Catechising.
Sound aKnowledge is a sanctified understanding of the first Principles of Religion. As first, Of the Trinity of Persons in the unity ⟨p. 337⟩of the God-head. Secondly, Of the creation of Man, and his Fall. Thirdly, Of the curse and misery due to sin. Fourthly, Of the Natures and Offices of Christ, and redemption by faith in his death, especially of the doctrine of the Sacraments, sealing the same unto us. For as an house cannot be built unless the foundation he first laid; so no more can Religion stand, unless it be first grounded upon the certain knowledge of God's Word. Secondly, If we know not God's Will, we can neither believe nor do the same. For as worldly businesses cannot be done but by them who have skill therein; so without knowledge must men be much more ignorant in divine and spiritual matters. And yet in temporal things a Man may do much by the light of nature: but in religious misteries, the more we rely upon
And lastly (O Lord) where I should have rested† fully contented with that portion which thy Majesty thought m••r•st to bestow upon me in this Pilgrimage; and rejoyced in anothers good as in mine own: alas my life hath been nothing else but a greedy lusting after this Neighbours house, and that Neighbours land; yea, secretly wishing such a man dead, that I might have his living or office, cov••i•g ⟨p. 334⟩rather those things which thou hast bestowed on another, rather than being thankful for that which thou hast given unto my self. Thus I, O Lord, who am a carnal sinner, and sold under sin, have transgressed all thy holy and spiritual Commandments, from the first to the last, from the greatest unto the least: and hear I stand guilty before thy Judgment-seat, of all the breaches of all thy laws; and therefore liable to thy curse, and to all the miseries that Justice can pour forth upon so cursed a creature. And whether shall I go for deliverance from this misery? Angels blush at my Rebellion, and will not help me: Men are guilty of the like transgression, and cannot help themselves. Shall I then despair with Cain, or make away my self with Judas? No, Lord, for that were but to end the miseries of this life, and to begin the endless torments of hell: I will rather appeal to thy Throne of Grace, 2where mercy reigns to pardon abounding sins; and out of the depth of my miseries, I will cry with* David, for the depth of thy mercies. Though thou shouldest kill me with afflictions, yet will I, like Job,b put my trust in thee. Though thou shouldest drown me in the Sea of thy displeasure, with Jonas, yet will I catch such hold on thy Mercy, that I will be taken up dead, clasping her with both my hands. And though thou shouldest cast me into the bowels of Hell, 5as Jonas into the belly of the Whale: yet from thence would I ⟨p. 335⟩cry unto thee; O God the Father of heaven, O Jesus Christ the Redeemer of the World, O Holy Ghost my Sanctifier, three Persons, and one eternal God, have mercy upon me a miserable sinner. And seeing the goodness of thine own Nature first moved thee to send thine only begotten Son to die for my sins, that by his Death I might be reconciled to thy Majesty: O reject not now my penitent Soul, who being displeased with her self for sin, desireth to return to serve and please thee in newness of life;