From Bayly. 6. Consider how God’s mercy is renewed unto thee every morning, in giving thee, as it were, a new life (Lam. iii. 23; Psal. xix. 5), and in causing the sun, after his incessant race, to rise again to give thee light. Let not, then, this glorious light burn in vain; but prevent… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations for the Morning – 6

From Bayly. 5. As thou art putting on thine apparel, remember that they were first given as coverings of shame, being the effects of sin; and that they are made but of the offals of dead beasts. Therefore, whether thou respect the stuff, or the first institution, thou hast so little cause to be proud… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations for the Morning – 5

From Bayly. 4. Remember that Almighty God is about thy bed, and seeth thy down-lying, and thy up-rising; under-standeth thy thoughts, and is acquainted with all thy ways (Psal. cxxxix. 2, 3.) Remember likewise that his holy angels, who guarded and watched over thee all night, do also behold how thou wakest and risest (Gen.… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations for the Morning – 4

From Bayly. 3. If thou hearest the cock crow, remember Peter, to imitate him (Luke xxii. 61, 62;) and call to mind that cock-crowing sound of the last trumpet, which shall waken thee from the dead. And consider in what case thou wert, if it sounded now, and become such as thou wouldst then wish… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations for the Morning – 3

From Bayly. 2. Thou knowest not how near, the evil spirit which night and day, like a roaring lion, walketh about seeking to devour thee (1 Pet. v. 8; Job i. 7) was to thee while thou wast asleep and not able to help thyself; and thou knowest not what mischief he would have done… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations for the Morning – 2

From Bayly. 1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Mediations for the Morning – 1

From The Practice of Piety: Directing a Christian How to Walk That He May Please God, Lewis Bayly (1575-1631), Bishop of Bangor, with additional Scripture passages and emphases in bold supplied* As soon as ever thou awakest in the morning, keep the door of thy heart fast shut, that no earthly thought may enter, before… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Introduction