Vol 01 - Chapter 14 - Rules for leading a Christian and devout life

Chapter 14 - Rules for leading a Christian and devout life
“Exercise thyself unto godliness; for godliness is profitable unto all things; having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come," 1 Timothy 4:7-8
IN this admonition of the apostle, there is contained a brief description of the Christian life By which we are taught, that a Christian ought not to spend his time in studies which profit but little or nothing; but to exercise himself" in the noblest and most profitable study, which is that of true Christian piety. For a Christian is one that is exercised "unto godliness," after the image of him whom he serveth; and who is one inwardly and in spirit, not outwardly, and in chew.
For "bodily exercise," or discipline, and exterior acts of religion, can profit but little; and sometimes may hurt, where the spirit and life. are overlooked, as too frequently they are. Wherefore it behoveth us highly to attend hereunto, and not to spend our whole time in the study of an interior and godly life, earnestly pursuing after piety, according to the charge here given; which is a compendium of all Christian virtues; and that, first, because it is °G profitable for all things," and in all things in all our words and deeds, blessing them and sanctifying them: and next, because the most gracious God does reward it, both in this life and in the life to come. And for our encouragement in this exercise, let us endeavor to keep in remembrance these following rules.
I If you can not live so holily and perfectly as the Word of God commandeth thee, and as thy heart, moved by the Holy Ghost, gladly would, nevertheless despond not: if you can not do what you wishest to do, yet you must never cease to wish ardently for it. For after this manner the holy desires of the saints have been always acceptable to God. These God alloweth, and approves, because he is the respecter of the hearts; not merely of the works.
II. In all things you either thinkest or doest, be diligent to preserve thine heart pure, and set a watch over it, lest you be defiled with proud thoughts, or evil imaginations. For the desire of the flesh is the door of the devil. Therefore have an especial care of this one thing, namely, to crucify thy flesh, and not suffer it to domineer over the spirit. See that thy heart be clean, and that nothing unclean do enter into it to pollute it. Beware of pride, selfishness, and wrath, and such like devilish operations, in the soul; forasmuch as by these the heart of man is set open to the devil, and shut up from God.
III. See you avoid; with all diligence, the care and sorrow of this world. Be not solicitous for that which perisheth; but for that which endures for ever. Because as worldly sorrow engendereth death, so godly sorrow begetteth life. Indeed, a man ought to bear the loss of no worldly goods so heavily as the loss of the heavenly substance. By avarice, envy, or overmuch care of a family, see that you forget not this main care: but embrace you the work of patience, and lay hold on that blessed mourning, which proceeds from meditation on thy sins, and on future punishments, and thereby works a stable salvation in the soul, with a solid peace and joy in God.
IV. Hold fast to the cross, and bear it as you art directed. If you can not bear thy cross with such cheerfulness as many of the saints have done; at least take it from the hand of God with patience and humility, acquiescing in his Divine will and pleasure: for the will of GOD, you art sure, is always good; neither does it respect any other thing than thy salvation. Whatsoever then God shall appoint in his wisdom for thee, whether you be poor or rich, high or low, vile or excellent, let this always be in thy mind, "Thus it has seemed good unto GOD, and is expedient and profitable for me.
His will, not mine, be done." Let not that therefore which pleases GOD, displease thee; but rather rejoice You, if he carry all things according to his will and thy salvation; whatever thy own silly heart may dictate to the contrary. For t` all the works of God arc good;" and nothing is more sure and certain than that " the Lord is just in all his ways, and holy in all his works." Hence, far better it is that GOD, who does always good, and who can never swerve from his own end, which is perfect goodness, should in thee do all his will, and you willingly submit to the same; than that You, who art by nature always inclinable to evil, and can of thyself do nothing that is good,' should do and follow thine own will.
V. Receive Divine consolations with humble thankfulness, taking heed that you be not therewith exalted and if you art not visited with joy and comfort, then, know for a certainty that the mortification of the flesh will be of more profit to thee than joy in the Spirit. For, by reason of great spiritual consolations many fall into spiritual pride. But the Lord knows who are fit to be led in a pleasant way, and who in a stony path. Think it always best for thee to arrive at life by that way which the Divine wisdom has chosen for thee, however different it may be from thine own opinion, or the devising of thine own heart. Remember that " sorrow is better than laughter; for by it the heart is made better." And forget not his admonition, who tells thee, That "the heart of the wise will be in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools in the house of mirth."
VI. Make an offering to God of all that you bast; and dedicate to him all that is in thy power. And if you can not bring great offerings of devotion, prayer and thanksgiving, offer at least to him that which you hast. The will and desire is an acceptable sacrifice to GOD, for the sake of his beloved Son. He requires nothing of thee, but that his grace may work in thee: nor can you return him more than he has first conferred on thee. In the mean time, desire you of the Lord Jesus, with humble and sincere prayer, that he would graciously supply thy sacrifices with his own most perfect sacrifice; because he, and he only, is the perfection of thy religious service. Thine, on the contrary, even all that is of thine own, is most lame and imperfect. Say therefore in faith, " O my God and my Father, let my devotion and dedication of myself unto thee, be accepted by thee: let all my acts of faith, and hope, and love, be received up before thee as sweet incense: let all my prayers, and praises, and thanksgivings ascend up before thine heavenly altar, and be acceptable in thy sight.
Graciously behold them all in thy beloved Son, and esteem them not for their own worth, but for the merit of his all-sufficient sacrifice. O look upon that, and upon all that he wrought for me in the flesh; and it cannot be but that his most perfect works should be pleasing to thee, and mine also, for the sake of them. For he, O GOD, shall abundantly supply whatsoever is wanting in me." And thus, how imperfect soever thy prayer and thanksgiving may be, there is given in exchange for the merit of CHRIST, the greatest weight of glory and heavenly dignity.
VII. Let not injuries, reproaches, and revilings provoke thee; take them as trials of thy heart, whereby God designs to prove thee, that he may make. appear what is in thee, and what does he hid in the secret of thy mind. If thine heart be indeed endued with meekness and lowliness, you wilt easily bear all contempts and injuries. Nay, whatsoever shall happen, you wilt, after the example of David, when he was reviled by Shimei, accept it as a Divine punishment for thy desert, saying, "
God has commanded, or in his providence wisely ordered, such or such an one to revile me, and thus despitefully use me: and I will take it as from the hand of GOD, against whom I have sinned." Moreover, you must think the contempt which you endurest from men, to be a part of the reproach of Jesus CHRIST; which a living member of him ought to be a partaker of, according to that warning of the Holy Ghost; " Let us go forth therefore unto him, bearing his reproach." Let us go to CHRIST, bearing our infirmities and crosses, not being unmindful with what lowliness of mind he did, for our sake, bear his reproach; that for him You, in like manner, may bear thine. Say not You, " Shall I suffer these things from him, or her"
If you wouldst be his disciple,- all things must be moderately borne by thee, even as he bore all that was contrary to flesh and blood. And furthermore, you art to consider, that his mercy towards all that suffer reproach for his sake, is so great, that he is ready to reward one reproach that an innocent person does suffer, with many goodly gifts and favors. Thus David knew in spirit, when he received the revilings of Shimei, that this was a pledge of honor to come.
Wherefore he said, " The Lord Math bidden him: it may be that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day." Let not then the calumnies of the world disturb thee; but rather rejoice You, in that the glory of God's' Spirit does rest upon what is accounted vile by the world; remembering the words of the apostle Peter, " If ye be reproached for the name of CHRIST, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of; but on your part he is glorified." 1 Peter 4:14.
VIII. Study to overcome thine enemies, and them that speak evil of thee, and persecute thee, with benefits and kindness. Exercise thyself in pacifying an adversary and a bitter detractor, with gentleness and long-suffering; conquer him with goodness, and generosity: not with wrath, or revenge, or returning evil for evil. As one devil dotli not drive out another, so one evil never driveth away another evil. A man that is wounded, and is afflicted with many sores and bruises, is not to be healed with blows._ And if he be so mad as to beat and cut himself, he is to be pitied and taken car of; and not treated in the way, in which he treats either Iriniself or others.
So in like manner, if a person be evil affected towards you, and in his frantic humor treat you barbarously both by word and deed; he is nevertheless to be handled by you with lenity, and not with cruelty; and by sweet and gentle means to be pacified, Since this is that very method which God himself takes to overcome us by; so conquering our malice with his goodness, and our wrath with his love. And St. Paul has recommended the same art unto us, saying, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
IX. When you observe a gift in thy neighbor which God has adorned him with, before and above thee, and others, take you heed not to envy this in him; but rejoice and give rood thanks for it. On the contrary, if you perceives any misery in thy neighbor, lament it even as if it were thine own; as considering that the condition of all men is equal, and alike subject to evil; and that the weakness of all flesh is the same, without the grace and power of God. CHRIST has set the example. And he that has no compassion on his neighbor, let him pretend whatever he will, he is no member of CHRIST.
For he looked upon our state as his own; and by bearing the infirmities of our nature, delivered us from all our enemies, and all our miseries. To which appertains that of St. Paul, " Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of CHRIST," even that law of love and mercifulness which he imposed on himself to fulfill towards us.
X. Think all men frail, but none more frail than thyself. For before God all men are. of equal condition; forasmuch as we have all sinned, neither have we any thing of which we may boast before God. How great soever a sinner then thy neighbor may be, believe not that you art any better before God. Remember this warning, " Let him that standeth, take heed lest he fall." You can never be too- low in thine own eyes.
He that makes himself the lowest of all men, keeps the grace of God. And certain it is you no less standest in need of the mercy of GOD, than the very greatest sinner. Wherefore blessed Paul accounted himself as the chief of sinners; and says, that for this cause he obtained mercy, that in him CHRIST might spew forth all long-suffering. And with this agrees what he elsewhere declares, saying, « As for myself I will glory in nothing but my infirmities, that so the power of CHRIST may rest upon me," 2 Corinthians 12:9.