Prison-pietie, or, Meditations divine and moral digested into poetical heads, on mixt and various subjects : whereunto is added a panegyrick to the right reverend, and most nobly descended, Henry Lord Bishop of London / by Samuel Speed ...

HOLY RULES FOR The Devout Christian.

IF thou art learned, be also pious: for Learning sanctified, is an Ornament to Grace; but Learning corrupted, is an Advocate for the Devil.

Call to minde, and oftentimes exa∣mine thy self, accounting thy thoughts, thy words, and deeds, especially after much business, discourses, pastime, &c.

Silence is commendable in things that appertain not to thee; to the end thou mayest the better call to minde the suf∣ferings of a crucified Saviour.

If God hath blessed thee with an E∣state, relieve thy Brother; and so live as having little, yet possessing all things: For remember that Meat, Drink, and Cloath, are the Riches of a Christian;

and since Christ gave himself for thee, well may'st thou give some Fruits of thy labour unto his.

Let Death be oftentimes the subject of thy Meditations; yield thy self wholly to God. If thou art poor, and hast nothing to requite him with but thy prayers and thy self, yet if thou givest thy self to his disposal, thou then givest all thou hast. The Apostles left their Ships and their Nets: The poor Widow gave only her two Mites to the poor mans box, and she was preferred before a wealthy Croesus. He easily despiseth all things of this world, that doth but remember he must die.

In open Assemblies use not ordinarily all spiritual things, lest thou shalt be thought to be singular; except thou may'st edisie others, and by thy example stir them up to the like.

On all occasions prefer the glory of God and his service above all things.

Be a comfort to the Afflicted, reconcile Dissentions, visit the Sick and the Impri∣soned, and forget not to relieve the Poor and needy: Above all things, have ser∣vent love, for love shall cover a multitude of sins.

Fast one day in each month, or oftner if the strength of thy body will bear it; and remember to distribute thy Alms: for Fasting and Alms are the wings of Prayer.

If perturbation or discontents arise in thy minde, apply thy self to Prayer. Go not to thy rest in wrath, lest thou givest the common enemy to mankinde an op∣portunity to surprize thee.

Beware of immoderate Cares, lest you dishonour or deny God: for such cares are

• 1. Needless,
• 2. Bruitish,
• 3. Bootless,
• 4. Heathenish.

1. Needless. What need we care, when Our heavenly Father knoweth we have need of these things? And saith, Be careful for nothing, but let us cast our cares on him, for he careth for us.

2. Bruitish. Consider the fowls of the air, and ravens that he feeds, they toyl not.

3. Bootless, and in vain. Which of you by taking thought, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one cubit to his stature, or peny to his estate 〈◊〉〈◊〉

4. Heathenish. For after all these things the Gentiles seek.

Repent dayly; let not the Devil have the Flour of thy age, and God the Bran.

The Spirit of Prayer is far more pre∣tious than Treasures of Gold and Silver.

Despise not the Ministers of Christ; for Christ is the Word, and they are his Embassadors.

God requires we should mortisie our lusts; for Prayer, without that, is the ser∣vice of a Hypocrite.

Sin bringeth shame and sorrow; but Piety hath the portion of everlasting joys.

Let us cloath our selves with Righte∣ousness; it is the safest Armour against the darts of Satan.

The two Roads that lead to Heaven, are Innocence and Repentance.

Sin is the Christians greatest sore, and Repentance his surest salve: who then would want the rare Jewel of Repentance? since, If ye seek, ye shall finde.