From Bayly. 2. Forget not that the Holy Ghost puts it down as a special note of reprobates, “They call not upon the Lord, they call not upon God.” (Psal. xiv. 4; liii. 4.)  And when Eliphaz supposed that Job had cast off the fear of God, and that God had cast Job out of… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations to stir us up to morning prayer – 2: Special note to reprobates

From Bayly: 1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Meditations to stir us up to morning prayer – 1

From Bayly: O most mighty and glorious God! full of incomprehensible power and majesty; whose glory the very heaven of heavens is not able to contain! Look down from heaven upon me, thine unworthy servant, who here prostrate myself at the footstool of thy throne of grace. But look upon me, O Father, through the… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – A Prayer for the Morning

From Bayly: In a word; apply all that thou readest in holy Scripture, to one of these two heads chiefly; either to confirm thy faith, or to increase thy repentance: for, as sustine et abstine*, bear and forbear, was the epitome of a good philosopher’s life**; so crede et resipisce***, believe and repent, is the… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Brief Directions how to Read the Holy Scriptures Once Every Year Over with Ease, Profit, and Reverence – Application or Excuses

From Bayly. But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word of God, are the parents of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the morning, first read a chapter in the word of God; then meditate awhile with thyself, how many excellent things thou canst remember out of it.… Read More Morning Piety: How A Private Man Must Begin the Morning with Piety – Brief Directions how to Read the Holy Scriptures Once Every Year Over with Ease, Profit, and Reverence – 6 Areas of Focus

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