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Tag Archives: Joshua 1:8

Paul Baynes, Brief Directions Unto a Godly Life, Chapter Nineteen

21 Wednesday May 2014

Posted by memoirandremains in Biblical Counseling, Discipleship, Obedience, Paul Baynes

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1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 11:31, 1 Corinthians 7:20, 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Timothy 6:9, 10; Proverbs 13:4, 2 Thessalonians 3:6., 2 Timothy 3:12, Acts 10:2, Biblical Counseling, Brief Directions Onto a Godly Life, Daniel 6:10, Ephesians 4:18, Genesis 18:16, Genesis 3:19, Hebrews 12:11, James 1:2, Job 11:8, Job 1:6, Joshua 1:8, Joshua 24:15, Lamentations 2:27, Lamentations 3:33, Matthew 6:6, Paul Bayne, Paul Baynes, Philippians 3:14, Preaching, Proverbs 6:22, Puritan, Romans 5:5, Romans 8:29

The previous post in this series may be found here: https://memoirandremains.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/paul-baynes-brief-directions-unto-a-godly-life-chapter-eighteen/

CHAPTER NINETEEN: GENERAL RULES FOR DAILY LIFE

Concerning outward actions, no certain rules can be given in particular, because they are variable and diverse. Yet some outward duties there are, although not necessary to be done daily, yet commonly to be observed; very profitable and helpful to live well and happily, by settling us in the practice of a daily direction. Such are these that follow:

How to Go About our Daily Business

1. That we walk with God, that is, that as soon as we have broken off our sleep, we set God before our eyes and our hearts upon him, resolving to walk with him that day. Proverbs 6:22. This accustoming ourselves to thoughts at the first awakening, by setting our hearts upon some holy and heavenly things, would be a good entrance to the well spending of the day, and a preventing of various evils.

2. That in some manner, if it may be, before we enter upon other affairs, we offer up our morning prayer to God, confessing our especial sins, remembering his particular favors; requesting both pardon for things passed and assisting us with blessings for time to come, especially for that day. Daniel 6:10. For the helping forward of this duty, it is fit that some holy meditation be joined with it. This being joined a hearty renewing of our covenant will so season us in the morning, that we shall retain the flavor, and hold the strength of such gracious beginning all the day after.

3. That event (it shall be expedient) we with our minds still kept well-ordered, betake ourselves to our calling and vocation. Wherein we must not so much mind our profit, that we cool any grace thereby or quench holy affections in us. That we must have a calling, see Genesis 3:19,  Ephesians 4:18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6. But that we must labor diligently therein, 1 Corinthians 7:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 10; Proverbs  13:4, 11 & 18:9, & 24:30.

But that the walking and are calling may diligently please God, we must so use earthly dealings that we neglect not spiritual duties; we must avoid worldly mindedness on the one part as idleness on the other: both which we shall be encouraged on to, if we consider that it is the Lord who sets us in our callings, and has promised to be us, and to give us good success, and to help us to bear all tediousness therein; and further, that he wills us to do all such duties for his sake, in such manner, as if we did that to him; and from him to look for reward. Joshua 1:8.

4. That in all company we behave ourselves as we are taught of God and as it becomes us, especially so as [to] leave no ill favor behind us. We must not therefore rush unadvisedly into it, as most but do, but determined before to do good onto others, as we be able, or to take good of others[1] as occasion is offered. Colossians 4:6; Joshua 1:8; one Timothy 4:12. We must take heed of the danger which will come from fruitless and hurtful talking and behavior, which in most company we shall meet with.

Occasions of good speech must not be only taken, but sought and waited for. Acts 26:28.

If  the company be so desperate that there is no place for God, yet we must keep ourselves from their unfruitful works of darkness, by giving of apparent tokens of our dislike, leaving them also as soon as we can, attending them afterwards as much as we may conveniently [do].

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Paul Baynes, Brief Directions Unto a Godly Life, Chapter 12, Meditation

12 Monday May 2014

Posted by memoirandremains in Biblical Counseling, Meditation, Paul Baynes, Spiritual Disciplines

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2 Chronicles 5:16, Brief Directions Onto a Godly Life, Godly Disciplines, Jeremiah 17:9, John 13:23, Joshua 1:8, Meditation, Paul Bayne, Paul Baynes, Prayer, Preaching, Psalm 110:57, Psalm 119:97, Psalm 15:4, Psalm 55:17, Psalms, Public Prayer, Public Worship, Puritan, Singing, Spiritual Disciplines

The previous post in this series may be found here: https://memoirandremains.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/paul-baynes-brief-directions-unto-a-godly-life-chapter-eleven/

CHAPTER TWELVE: PRIVATE DISCIPLINES, MEDITATION

Meditation

The second private help is meditation; and that is when we do of purpose separate ourselves from all other things, and consider as we are able and think of some points of instruction necessary to lead us forward to the kingdom of heaven, and the better strengthening us against the Devil and this present evil world, and to the well-ordering of our lives. This heavenly communion with God and ourselves is that which the Fathers called soliloquies: which must be distinguished from ordinary thinking of good things and pondering of words and actions, which yet in Scriptures is called meditation: Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97. For that [careful consideration of things] ought never to be wanting [lacking], beinga part of watchfulness, and is exercised together with prayer; but this is more solemn: when a man of set purpose does separate himself from other business to solace himself in these holy and heavenly thoughts.

The matter of this meditation may be on any part of God’s Word, of God himself and his works of mercy and judgment, or our own estate, the vanity and misery of this world and of the manifold privileges which we with the rest of God’s children and joy (but [it should be] especially of those things which we have most special need of).

The great and necessary use of this duty may well appear even in the hearts of good Christians, in which there is much naughtiness;[1] so many rebellions and [such] loathsome filthiness that [it] makes some despair of reforming; and therefore they cease to endeavor it. Yet if such noisome poisons be suffered to lurk and remain in them, they will not only as sour weeds choke the plants of grace within us, but also grow up themselves, and bring forth most noisome and dangerous fruit, as by woeful experience men feel and try.

The Great Benefit of Meditation

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