A27107:998
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
A27107:998
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.
IT freeth thee from a corruptible Body, which was conceived in the weakness of flesh, the heat of lust, the stain of sin, and born in the blood of filthiness, a living Prison of thy Soul, a lively instrument of •in, a very sack of stinking dung: the excrements of whose Nostrils, Ears, Pores, and •ther passages (duly considered) will seem more loathsome than the uncleanest sink •r vault. Insomuch that whereas Trees and Plants bring forth Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, •nd sweet smells; man's body brings forth naturally nothing but Lice, Worms, Rottenness and filthy stinks. His affections are altogether corrupted: 1and the imaginations […] heart are only evil continually. 2Hence […] is that the ungodly is not satisfied with ⟨p. 396⟩profaneness, nor the voluptuous with pleasures, nor the ambitious with preferments, nor the curious with preciseness, nor the malicious with revenge, nor the lecherous with uncleanness, nor the covetous with gain, nor the drunkard with drinking. New passions and fashions do daily grow: new Fears and Afflictions do still arise; here Wrath lies in wait, there Vain-glory vexeth: here pride lifts up, there disgrace casts down; and every one waiteth who shal• arise in the ruin of another. Now a Ma• is privily stung with Back-biters like fiery Serpents, anon he is in danger to be openly devoured of his enemies, like Daniel's Lions• And a godly man where ere he liveth shall ever be vexed (like Lot) with Sodom's uncleanness.
IT freeth thee from a corruptible Body, which was conceived in the weakness of flesh, the heat of lust, the stain of sin, and born in the blood of filthiness, a livi•g Prison of thy Soul, a lively instrument of •in, a very sack of stinking dung: the ex••ements of whose Nostrils, Ears, Pores, and •ther passages (duly considered) will seem more loathsome than the uncleanest sink •r vault. Insomuch that whereas Trees and Plants bring forth Leaves, Flowers, Fruits, •nd sweet smells; man's body brings forth ••turally nothing but Lice, Worms, Rotten•ss and filthy stinks. His affections are al•ogether corrupted: 1and the imaginations 〈…〉 heart are only evil continually. 2Hence 〈…〉 is that the ungodly is not satisfied with ⟨p. 396⟩prophaneness, nor the voluptuous with pleasures, nor the ambitious with perferments, nor the curious with preciseness, nor the malicious with revenge, nor the leacherous with uncleanness, nor the covetous with gain, nor the drunkard with drinking. New passions and fashions do daily grow: new Fears and Afflictions do still arise; here Wrath lies in wait, there Vain-glory vexeth: here pride lifts up, there disgrace casts down; and every one waiteth who shal• arise in the ruine of another. Now a Ma• is privily stung with Back-biters like fiery Serpents, anon he is in danger to be openly devoured of his enemies, like Daniel's Lions• And a godly man where ere he liveth shall ever be vexed (like Lot) with Sodom's uncleanness.
2. Death brings unto the godly an end of* sinning, and of all the miseries which ar• due unto sin:2 so that after Death there sha•• be no more sorrow, nor crying; neither shal• there be any more pain, for God shall wipe a• way all tears from their eyes. Yea, by death we are separated from the company of wicked Men,3 and God taketh away merciful […] righteous men from the evil to come. So […] dealt with Josiah: 4I will gather thee to th• Fathers: and thou shalt be put into thy gr•• in peace, and thine eyes shall not see all the […] which I will bring upon this place▪ And Go• hides them for a while in the grave, 5until […] indignation pass over. So that as Paradise […] the Heaven of the soul's joy; so the Gra•• may be termed the Heaven of the bodies […]
2. Death brings unto the godly an end of* sinning, and of all the miseries which ar• due unto sin:2 so that after Death there sha•• be no more sorrow, nor crying; neither shal• there be any more pain, for God shall wipe a• way all tears from their eyes. Yea, by death we are separated from the company of wicked Men,
3. Whereas this wicked Body lives in a world of wickedness, so that the poor Soul cannot look out at the Eye, and not be infected; nor hear by the Ear, and not be distracted; nor smell at the Nostrils, and not be tainted; nor taste with the Tongue, and not be allured; nor touch by the Hand, and not be defiled; and every sense upon every temptation is ready to betray the Soul; by death the Soul shall be delivered from this Thraldom, and this corruptible body shall put on incorruption, and this mortal immortality, 1 Cor. 15. 53. O blessed, thrice blessed be that Death in the Lord, which delivers us out of so evil a World, and freeth us from such a body of bondage and corruption.
1. DEATH bringeth the godly Man's Soul to enjoy an immediate Communion with the blessed Trinity in everlasting bliss and glory.
1. DEATH bringeth the godly Man's Soul to enjoy an immediate Communion with the blessed Trinity in everlast•ng bliss and glory.
2. It translates the Soul from the Miseries of this world, the contagion of sin, and ••ciety of Sinners, to the City of the living •ed, the Celestial Jerusalem,1 and the company of innumerable Angels, and to the assembly and congregation of the first-born, which […] written in Heaven, and to God the Judge […] all, and to the Souls of just Men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant.
2. It translates the Soul from the Mise•ies of this world, the contagion of sin, and ••ciety of Sinners, to the City of the living •ed, the Celestial Jerusalem,1 and the com•any of innumerable Angels, and to the assem•ly and congregation of the first-born, which 〈…〉 written in Heaven, and to God the Judge 〈…〉 all, and to the Souls of just Men made per•ect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new •ovenant.
3. Death putteth the Soul into the actual ⟨p. 398⟩and full possession of all the inheritance and happiness which Christ hath either promised unto thee in his Word, or purchased for thee by his blood.
3. Death putteth the Soul into the aactual ⟨p. 398⟩and full possession of all the inheritance and happiness which Christ hath either promised unto thee in his Word, or purchased for thee by his blood.
This is the good and happiness whereunto a blessed death will bring thee. And what truly Religious Christian that is young, would not wish himself old, that his appointed time might the sooner approach to enter into this celestial Paradise; where thou mayest exchange thy Brass for Gold, thy Vanity for Felicity, thy Vileness for Honour, thy Bondage for Freedom, thy Lease for an Inheritance, and thy mortal State for an immortal Life? He that doth not daily desire this blessedness above all things, of all others he is less worthy to enjoy it.
This is the good and happiness whereunto a blessed death will bring thee. And what truly Religious Christian that is young, would not wish himself old, that his appointed time might the sooner approach to enter into this celestial Paradise; where thou maist exchange thy Brass for Gold, thy Vanity for Felicity, thy Vileness for Honour, thy Bondage for Freedom, thy Lease for an Inheritance, and thy mortal State for an immortal Life? He that doth not daily desire this blessedness above all things, of all others he is less worthy to enjoy it.
If† Cato Uticensis, and Cleombrotus, two Heathen-men, (reading Plato's Book o• the Immortality of the Soul) did voluntarily, the one break his Neck, the other run upon his Sword, that they might th• sooner (as they thought) have enjoyed those joys: what a shame is it for Christian• (knowing those things in a more excellent measure and manner out of God's ow• Book) not to be willing to enter into these heavenly Joys? especially when their Master calls for them thither.2 If therefore there be in thee any love of God, or desire of thine own happiness or salvation, whe• the time of thy departing draweth near• that time, I say, and manner of Death which God in his unchangeable Counsel hath appointed, and determined before ⟨p. 399⟩thou wast born; yield and surrender up (willingly and cheerfully) thy Soul into the merciful hands of Jesus Christ thy Saviour. And to this end, when the time is come,3 as the Angel in the •ight of Manoah and his Wife, ascended from the Altar up to heaven in the flame of the sacrifice, so endeavour thou, that thy spirit in the sight of thy friends, may from the altar of a contrite heart, ascend up to Heaven, in the sweet perfume of this or the like spiritual Sacrifice of Prayer.
If† Cato Vticensis, and Cleombrotus, two Heathen-men, (reading Plato's Book o• the Immortality of the Soul) did voluntarily, the one break his Neck, the other run upon his Sword, that they might th• sooner (as they thought) have enjoyed those joys: what a shame is it for Christian (knowing those things in a more excellent measure and manner out of God's ow Book) not to be willing to enter into these heavenly Joys? especially when their Master calls for them thither.
O Heavenly Father, who art* the Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, and hast made us these souls, and h•stb appointed us the time,3 as to come into this World, so (having finished ourc course) to go out of the same: thed number of my days which thou haste determined, are now expired,7 and I am come to the utmost bounds which thou hast appointed, beyond which I cannot pass. I know (O Lord) that if thou enterest into judgment, 8no flesh can be justified in thy sight: And I (O Lord) of all others should appear most impure and unjust;9 for I have not fought that good •ight for the defence of thy Faith and Religion, with that zeal and constancy that I should: but for fear of displeasing the World, I have given way unto sins and errors; and for desire to please my flesh, ⟨p. 400⟩I have broken all thy Commandments, in thought, 10word, and deed; so that my sins have taken such hold on me, that I am not able to look up, and they are more in number than the hairs on my head. †If thou wilt straitly mark mine iniquities, O Lord, where shall I stand? *
Strengthen, O Christ,1 my Faith that I may put the whole confidence of my salvation in the merits of thy obedience and Blood. Increase, O holy Spirit, my patience, lay no more upon me than I am able to bear: 2and enable me to bear so much, as shall stand with thy blessed will and pleasure. O blessed Trinity in Unity, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, vouchsafe, that as my outward man doth decay; so my inward man may more and more by thy grace and consolation, increase and gather strength. O Saviour, put my Soul in a readiness, that (like aa wise Virgin, having theb Wedding Garment of thy Righteousness and holiness) she may be ready to meet thee at thy coming, with Oil in her Lamp cMarry her unto thy self; that she may bed one with thee in everlasting love and fellowship O Lord, ereprove Satan, and chase him away:f Deliver my soul from the power of the Dog. Save me from the Lyon's mouth. I thank thee, O Lord, for all thy blessings both spiritual and temporal, bestowed upon me: especially for my Redemption by the death of my Saviour Christ. I thank thee that thou hast protected me with thy holy* Angels from my youth up until now.10 Lord, I beseech thee give them a charge to attend upon me till thou callest for my soul; and then to carry her (as they did the soul ofa Lazarus) into ⟨p. 402⟩
Our Father which art in Heaven, &c.
IT is found by continual experience that near the time of Death (when the Children of God are weakest) then Satan makes the greatest flourish of his strength, and assails them with his strongest temptations. For he knoweth that either he must now or never prevail: for if their souls once go to Heaven, he shall never vex nor trouble them any more. And therefore he will now bestir himself as much as he can, and labour to set before their eyes all the gross sins which ever they committed, and the Judgments of God which are due unto them: thereby ⟨p. 403⟩to drive them, if he can, unto despair, which is a grievouser sin than all the sins hat they committed, or he can accuse them of.
O Heavenly Father, who art* the Lord God of the spirits of all flesh, and hast made us these souls, and h•stb appointed us the time,3 as to come into this World, so (having finished ourc course) to go out of the same: thed number of my days which thou haste determined, are now expired,7 and I am come to the utmost bounds which thou hast appointed, beyond which I cannot pass. I know (O Lord) that if thou enterest into judgment, 8no flesh can be justified in thy sight: And I (O Lord) of all others should appear most impure and unjust;9 for I have not fought that good •ight for the defence of thy Faith and Religion, with that zeal and constancy that I should: but for fear of displeasing the World, I have given way unto sins and errours; and for desire to please my flesh, ⟨p. 400⟩I have broken all thy Commandments, in thought, 10word, and deed; so that my sins have taken such hold on me, that I am not able to look up, and they are more in number than the hairs on my head. †If thou wilt straitly mark mine iniquities, O Lord, where shall I stand? *if thou weighest me in the balance, I shall be found too light. For I am void of all righteousness, that might merit thy mercy;13 and loaden with all iniquities that most justly deserve thy heaviest wrath. Bu•, O my Lord, and my God,14 for Jesus Christ thy Son's sake, in whom only thou art well pleased with all penitent and believing sinners; take pity and compassion upon me, who am thea chief of sinners. Blot out all my sins out of thy *remembrance, andb wash away all my transgressions out of thy sight, with the cprecious blood of thy Son, which I believe that he (as an undefiledd Lamb) hath shed for the cleansing of my sins. In this faith I lived; in this faith I die: believing thate Jesus Christ died for my sins, and rose again for my justification. 21And seeing that he hath endured that Death, andf born the burthen of that Judgment, which was due unto my sins; O Father, for his Death and Passion's sake, now (that I am coming to appear before thy Judgment-seat) acquit and deliver me from that fearful Judgment, which my sins have justly deserved. And perform unto me that gracious and comfortable Promise which thou hast made in thy Gospel: ⟨p. 401⟩That whosoever believeth in thee, 23hath everlasting life, and shall not come into Judgment, but shall pass from death unto life.
Strengthen, O Christ,1 my Faith that I may put the whole confidence of my salvation in the merits of thy obedience and Blood. Encrease, O holy Spirit, my patience, lay no more upon me than I am able to bear: 2and enable me to bear so much, as shall stand with thy blessed will and pleasure. O blessed Trinity in Unity, my Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, vouchsafe, that as my outward man doth decay; so my inward man may more and more by thy grace and consolation, increase and gather strength. O Saviour, put my Soul in a readiness, that (like aa wise Virgin, having theb Wedding Garment of thy Righteousness and holiness) she may be ready to meet thee at thy comming, with Oyl in her Lamp cMarry her unto thy self; that she may bed one with thee in everlasting love and fellowship O Lord, ereprove Satan, and chase him away:f Deliver my soul from the power of the Dog. Save me from the Lyon's mouth. I thank thee, O Lord, for all thy blessings both spiritual and temporal, bestowed upon me: especially for my Redemption by the death of my Saviour Christ. I thank thee that thou hast protected me with thy holy* Angels from my youth up until now.10 Lord, I beseech thee give them a charge to attend upon me till thou callest for my soul; and then to carry her (as they did the soul ofa Lazarus) into ⟨p. 402⟩thy Heavenly bKingdom. And as the time of my departure shall approach nearer unto me, so grant, O Lord, that my Soul may draw nearer unto thee, and that I may joy fully commend my Soul into thy hands, as into the hands of a loving Father, and merciful cRedeemer, and at that instantd O Lord graciously receive my Spirit. All which that I may do, assist me I beseech thee, with thy Grace: and let thy holy spirit continue with me unto the end, and in the end, for Jesus Christ his sake, thy Son my Lord, and only Saviour: In whose Name I give thee the glory, and beg these things at thy hand, in that Prayer which Christ himself hath •aught me, saying,