Holy living in which are described the means and instruments of obtaining every virute, and the remedies against every vice, and considerations serving to the resisting all temptations : together with prayers containing the whole duty of a Christian, and the parts of devotion occasians [sic], and furnished for all necessities / by Jer. Taylor.

Rules for our intentions.

1. In every action reflect upon the end; and in your undertaking it, consider why you doe it, and what you propound to your self for a reward, and to your action as its end,

2. Begin every action in the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: the meaning of which is, that we be careful, that we doe not the action without the per∣mission or warrant of God. 2. That we de∣signe it to the glory of God, if not in the di∣rect action, yet at least in its consequence; if not in the particular, yet at least in the whole order of things and accidents. 3. That it may be so blessed, that what you intend for innocent and holy purposes, may not by any chance or abuse, or misunderstanding of men be turned into evil, or made the occa∣sion of sin.

3. Let every action of concernment be be∣gun with prayer, that God would not only blesse the action, but sanctifie your purpose; and make an oblation of the action to God: holy and well intended actions being the best oblations and presents we can make to God; and when God is entitled to them, he will the rather keep the fire upon the Altar bright and shining.

4. In the prosecution of the action, renew and reinkindle your purpose by short ejacu∣lations to these purposes: [Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name let all praise be given:] and consider, [Now I am working the work of God: I am his servant, I am in a happy imployment, I am doing my

Masters business I am not at my own dispose, I am using his talents, and all the gain must be his:] for then be sure, as the glory is his, so the reward shall be thine. If thou bringest his goods home with increase, he will make thee ruler over Cities.

5. Have a ca••e that while the Altar thus sends up a holy fume, thou doest not suffer the birds to come and carry away the Sacri∣fice: that is, let not that which began well, and was intended for Gods glory, decline and end in thy own praise, or temporal sa∣tisfaction, or a sin. A story told to represent the vilenes of unchastity is well begun; but if thy female auditor be pleased with thy language, and begins rather to like thy person for thy story, then to dislike the crime:* 1.1 be watchful, lest this goodly head of gold de∣scend in silver and brasse, and end in iron and clay, like Nebuchadnezzars image, for from the end it shall have its name and re∣ward.

6. If any accidental event which was not first intended by thee can come to passe, let it not be taken into thy purposes, nor at all be made use of; as if by telling a true story you can doe an ill turn to your enemy, by no means doe it; but when the temptation is found out, turn all thine enmity upon that.

7. In every more solemn action of Reli∣gion, joyn together many good ends, that the consideration of them may entertain all your affections, and that when any one ceases, the purity of your intention may be supported by another supply. He that fasts only to tame a rebellious body, when he is provided of a

remedy either in Grace or Nature, may be tempted to leave off his fasting. But he that in his fast intends the mortification of every unruly appetite, an accustoming himself to bear the yoke of the Lord a contempt of the pleasures of meat and drink, humiliation of all wilder thoughts, obedience and humility, austerity and charity, and the convenience and assistance to devotion, and to doe an act of repentance; whatever happens, will have reason enough to make him to continue his purpose, and to sanctifie it. And certain it is, the more good ends are designed in an acti∣on, the more degrees of excellency the man obtains.

8. If any temptation to spoil your purpose happens in a religious duty, doe not present∣ly omit the action, but rather strive to rectifie your intention and to mortifie the tempta∣tion. S. Bernard taught us this rule: For when the Devil observing him to preach ex∣cellently, and to doe much benefit to his hea∣rers, tempted him to vain glory, hoping that the good man to avoid that, would cease preaching, he gave his answer only. I nei∣ther began for thee, neither for thee will I make an end.

9. In all actions which are of long conti∣nuance, deliberation and abode, let your holy and pious intention be actual, that is, that it be by a special prayer, or action, by a peculiar act of resignation or oblation given to God: but in smaller actions, and little things, and indifferent, fail not to secure a pious habitual intention, that is, that it be included within your general care, that no

action have an ill end; and that it be com∣prehended in your general prayers, whereby you offer your self and all you doe to Gods glory.

10. Call not every temporal end, a defiling of thy intention, but only, 1. When it con∣tradicts any of the ends of God, or 2. When it is principally intended in an action of re∣ligion. For sometimes a temporal end is part of our duty: and such are all the actions of our calling, whether our imployment be re∣ligious or civil: we are commanded to pro∣vide for our family: but if the Minister of Divine offices shall take upon him that holy calling for covetous or ambitious ends, or shall not design the glory of God principally and especially, he hath polluted his hands and his heart; and the fire of the Altar is quenched, or it sends forth nothing but the smoke of mushroms, or unpleasant gums. And it is a great unworthiness to preferre the interest of a creature before the ends of God the Almighty Creator.

But because many cases may happen in which a mans heart may deceive him, and he may not well know what is in his own spi∣rit; therefore by these following signes we shall best make a judgment whether our in∣tentions be pure, and our purposes holy.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Qui su••atur ut mae••he••t••r, maechas est magis quàm su•• Arist. Eth.