A27107:932
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
A27107:932
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.
THE duties to be performed jointly with the Church, are Three. First, public thanksgiving, both by Prayers, and asinging of Psalms; Thus Christ himself and his Apostles did. Secondly, joining with the Church, bin giving (every man ⟨p. 361⟩according to his ability) towards the relief of the poor. This was the manner of the Primitive Churches, to make Collections and* Love Feasts after the Lord's Supper, for the relief of the poor Christians. Thirdly, when thanks and praise is ended, then with all reverence to stand up, and to receive the blessing of God, by the mouth of his Minister; and to receive it, as if thou didst hear God himself pronouncing it unto thee from Heaven. For by their blessing, 4God doth bless his people.
THE duties to be performed joyntly with the Church, are Three. First, publick thanksgiving, both by Prayers, and asinging of Psalms; Thus Christ himself and his Apostles did. Secondly, joining with the Church, bin giving (every man ⟨p. 361⟩according to his ability) towards the relief of the poor. This was the manner of the Primitive Churches, to make Collections and* Love Feasts after the Lord's Supper, for the relief of the poor Christians. Thirdly, when thanks and praise is ended, then with all reverence to stand up, and to receive the blessing of God, by the mouth of his Minister; and to receive it, as if thou didst hear God himself pronouncing it unto thee from Heaven. For by their blessing, 4God doth bless his people.
The Duties which thou art to practise after that thou art departed home, are three. First, to observe diligently, whether thou hast truly received Christ in the Sacrament. Which thou mayest thus easily perceive: for seeing his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, 1and that he is so full of grace, that no man ever touched him by faith, but he received virtue from him; it cannot possibly be, that if thou hast eaten his flesh, or drunk his blood, but thou shalt receive grace and power to be cleansed from thy sins and filthiness. For if the Hemorrhoise that did but touch his garment, 2had her bloody issue that continued so long, forthwith stanched; how much more will the bloody issue of thy sin be stanched, if thou then hast truly eaten and drunk the very flesh and blood of Christ? But if thy issue still runneth, thou ⟨p. 362⟩mayest justly suspect thou hast never yet truly touched Christ?
The Duties which thou art to practise after that thou art departed home, are three. First, to observe diligently, whether thou hast truly received Christ in the Sacrament. Which thou maist thus easily perceive: for seeing his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, 1and that he is so full of grace, that no man ever touched him by faith, but he received virtue from him; it cannot possibly be, that if thou hast eaten his flesh, or drunk his blood, but thou shalt receive grace and power to be cleansed from thy sins and filthiness. For if the Hemorrhoise that did but touch his garment, 2had her bloody issue that continued so long, forthwith stanched; how much more will the bloody issue of thy sin be stanched, if thou then hast truly eaten and drunk the very flesh and blood of Christ? But if thy issue still runneth, thou ⟨p. 362⟩maist justly suspect thou hast never yet truly touched Christ?
Secondly, seeing thou hast now reconciled thy self to God, and renewed thy Covenant, and vowed newness and amendment of life; thou must therefore have a special care, that thou dost not yield to commit thy former sins any more: knowing that the* unclean spirit, if ever he can get into thy Soul again, after that it is swept and garnished: he will enter forcible possession with seven other devils worse than himself: So that the end of that man shall be worse than his beginning. Be ye not therefore like the Dog †that returns to his vomit, or the washed Sow that walloweth in the mire again. And return not to thy malice, like to the Adder, who laying aside her poison while she drinks, takes it up again when she hath done. But when either the devil or thy flesh shall offer to tempt and move thee to relapse into thy former sins, answer them as the Spouse doth in the Canticles, aI have put off my coat (of my former corruption) how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them again?
Secondly, seeing thou hast now reconciled thy self to God, and renewed thy Covenant, and vowed newness and amendment of life; thou must therefore have a special care, that thou dost not yield to commit thy former sins any more: knowing that the* unclean spirit, if ever he can get into thy Soul again, after that it is swept and garnished: he will enter forcible possession with seven other devils worse than himself: So that the end of that man shall be worse than his beginning. Be ye not therefore like the Dog †that returns to his vomit, or the washed Sow that walloweth in the mire again. And return not to thy malice, like to the Adder, who laying aside her poyson while she drinks, takes it up again when she hath done. But when either the devil or thy flesh shall offer to tempt and move thee to relapse into thy former sins, answer them as the Spouse doth in the Canticles, aI have put off my coat (of my former corruption) how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them again?
Lastly, If ever thou hast found either joy or comfort in receiving the holy Sacrament; let it appear by the eager desire of receiving it† often again. For the Body of Christ as it was banointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows; so doth it yield a sweeter savour than all the ointments of the world: The fragrant smell whereof allureth all Souls who have once ⟨p. 363⟩tasted the sweetness thereof, ever after to desire oftener to taste thereof again.c Because of the savour of thy good Ointments, therefore do the Virgins love thee. Od taste therefore often, and see how good the Lord is, saith David. This is the Commandment of Christ himself, Do this in remembrance of me; and in doing this, thou shalt show thy self best mindful and thankful for his death. For as oft as ye shall eat this bread and drink this cup, ye shall show the Lord's death until he came. And let this be the chief end whereunto both thy receiving and living tendeth:5 that thou mayest be a holy Christian, zealous of good works, purged from sin, to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; that thou mayst be acceptable to God, profitable to thy brethren, and comfortable unto thine own soul.
Lastly, If ever thou hast found either joy or comfort in receiving the holy Sacrament; let it appear by the eager desire of receiving it† often again. For the Body of Christ as it was banointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows; so doth it yield a sweeter savour than all the ointments of the world: The fragrant smell whereof allureth all Souls who have once ⟨p. 363⟩
Thus far of the manner of glorifying God in thy life.
AS soon as thou perceivest thy self to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thy self.
1. That misery cometh not forth of the dust; 1neither doth affliction spring out of the earth. 2Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their Mice and Emerods came,) but from mans wickedness, which as sparkles breaketh ⟨p. 364⟩out. Man suffereth (saitha Jeremiah) for his sins. Fools (saithb David) by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities are afflicted. As therefore Solomon adviseth a man to carry himself towards an earthly Prince;5 If the Spirit of him that ruleth, rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness pacifieth great sins: so counsel I thee to deal with the Prince of Princes: If the spirit of him that ruleth heaven and earth, rise up against thee, let not thy heart despair, for repentance pacifieth great sins.6 And who soever returneth in his affliction to the Lord God of Israel, and seeks him, he will be found of him.
1. That misery cometh not forth of the dust; 1neither doth affliction spring out of the earth. 2Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their Mice and Emrods came,) but from mans wickedness, which as sparkles breaketh ⟨p. 364⟩out. Man suffereth (saitha Jeremy) for his sins. Fools (saithb
2.c Shut to thy Chamber door; dExamine thine own heart upon thy bed; esearch and try thy ways. Search as diligently for thy capital sin, asf Joshua did for Achan, till thou findest it: For albeit God, when he beginneth to chasten his Children, hath respect to all their sins: yet when his anger is incensed, he chiefly taketh occasion to chasten, and enter with them into judgment, for some one grievous sin, wherein they have lived without Repentance.
3. When thou hast thus considered all thy sins, put thy self before the Judgment-Seat of God, as a Felon or Murderer, standing at the Bar of an earthly Judge: and with grief and sorrow of heart confess unto God all thy known sins, especially thy Capital Offences, wherewith ⟨p. 365⟩God is chiefly displeased. Lay them open, with all the circumstances of the time, place, and manner how they were committed, as may most serve to aggravate the heinousness of thy sins, and to show the contrition of thy heart for the same. Lift up thine hand, and acknowledge thy self before the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, guilty of eternal death and damnation, for those thy heinous sins and transgressions. And having thus accused and judged thy self: cast down thy self before the† Footstool of his Throne of grace: assuring thy self, that whatsoever the* Kings of Israel be, yet the God of Israel is a merciful God: And cry unto him from a penitent and faithful heart, for mercy and forgiveness, as eagerly and earnestly, as ever thou knewest a malefactor, being to receive his sentence, crying unto the Judge for favour and pardon; vowing amendment of life, and (by the assistance of his grace) never to commit the like sin any more. All which thou mayest do in these or the like words.
3. When thou hast thus considered all thy sins, put thy self before the Judgment-Seat of God, as a Felon or Murtherer, standing at the Bar of an earthly Judge: and with grief and sorrow of heart confess unto God all thy known sins, especially thy Capital Offences, wherewith ⟨p. 365⟩God is chiefly displeased. Lay them open, with all the circumstances of the time, place, and manner how they were committed, as may most serve to aggravate the hainousness of thy sins, and to shew the contrition of thy heart for the same. Lift up thine hand, and acknowledge thy self before the righteous Judge of Heaven and Earth, guilty of eternal death and damnation, for those thy hainous sins and transgressions. And having thus accused and judged thy self: cast down thy self before the†
O Most righteous Judge, yet in JESUS CHRIST my gracious Father: I wretched sinner do here return unto thee (though driven with pain and sickness) like the prodigal Child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pai• comes not by blind chance ⟨p. 366⟩or fortune, but by thy divine providence, and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved:1 and the things that I feared, are now fallen upon me. Yet I do well perceive, 2that in wrath thou rememberest mercy, when I consider how many, and how heinous are my sins, and how few and easy are thy corrections. Thou mightest have strucken me with some fearful and sudden death, whereby I should not have had either time or space to have called upon thee for grace and mercy; and so I should have perished in my sins, and have been for ever condemned in hell.
O Most righteous Judge, yet in JESUS CHRIST my gracious Father: I wretched sinner do here return unto thee (though driven with pain and sickness) like the prodigal Child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pai• comes not by blind chance ⟨p. 366⟩or fortune, but by thy divine providence, and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved:1 and the things that I feared, are now faln upon me. Yet I do well perceive, 2that in wrath thou remembrest mercy, when I consider how many, and how hainous are my sins, and how few and easie are thy corrections. Thou mightest have strucken me with some fearful and sudden death, whereby I should not have had either time or space to have called upon thee for grace and mercy; and so I should have perished in my sins, and have been for ever condemned in hell.