Practical Piety, Treatise · Preface – Part 1
The Preface.
IT is one of thoſe faithful and joyful ſayings of Scripture that are worthy of all acceptation a1 Tim. 1. 15., that, Godlineſs is profitable to all things, having the promiſes of the life which now is, and that which is to come b1 Tim. 4. 8..
But then we muſt conſider, that as Godlineſs hath the Promiſes, ſo the Promiſes will have Godlineſs; and bind thoſe that have them, to cleanſe themſelves from all filthineſs both of fleſh and ſpirit, and to perfect holineſs in the fear of God c2 Cor. 7. 1..
The promoting of this Holineſs is the purpoſe of this Treatiſe; which propoundeth, recommendeth, and pleadeth for, divers ſuch Chriſtian, and Family-duties, as are the wayes and means appointed of God for the improving of godlineſs.
Thereunto the Reading of the Word, (which in the firſt Part and place is mentioned) much availeth, becauſe the Doctrine of the Word is the Doctrine which is according to godlineſs d1 Tim. 6. 3. Tit. 1. 1.; it is the ground and guide of godlineſs.—As alſo an often and prepared receiving of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, the ſpiritual nouriſhment whereof is for the growth of Godlineſs; The Miniſtry likewiſe makes much for Piety, for that's the School of Godlineſs ePſal. 43 11. 1 Sam 12. 23.—And the religious obſerving of the Lords-day-Sabbath, for that's the ſupport of the Trade of Godlineſs; as Market, and Fair-dayes are of ordinary Trading.
The four Houſhold duties, deſcribed in the Second Part, aim at no other but the very ſame end, that is, the advantage and advancement of Godlineſs; For, By Family-Catechiſing, Godlineſs ſpreadeth fGen 18. 19. 2 Tim. 2. 2.; By Family-Prayer, it (and every thing elſe) proſpereth: By Repetition of Sermons (as by whetting gDeut. 6. 7.,) it is ſharpened (hath a better edge);—And by ſinging of Pſalms it is ſweetned, for thereby not only the heart is more holy, but all other good exerciſes and aſsiſtances of godlineſs are leſs heavy.
I hope therefore that they that look after godlineſs (and in vain do they look for heaven who look not after it), will accept of theſe Helps; for, albeit I willingly grant, that ſome of theſe means of godlineſs may be uſed by thoſe that are not truly godly (Hypocriſie being the Ape of Sincerity), yet I may boldly affirm (on the other ſide) that all that are truly good, will be afraid to omit hWhat is ſaid of Prayer, is true of all the reſt, Every one that is godly will pray, Pſal. 32. 6.them, and none but they can well uſe them, Joh. 15. 5.
I ſhall not detain the Reader with a longer Preface, having ſaid ſo much already in the precedent Epiſtles, but haſten to that which comes firſt in order to be handled.
The Firſt Part.
CHAP. I.
The ſum of this Chapter is nothing elſe but—
A Call to Chriſtians, &c. (as in the next page).—