The Works of Jeremy Taylor (Volume 5) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1831. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... SUMMARY OF HOLY LIVING. Chap. I.--Consideration of the general instruments and means serving to a holy life, by way of introduction. The excellent faculties and abilities which God hath given to man considered, and his corresponding obligations to employ them. Sect. I.-- The first general instrument of holy living, care of our time.--He that is choice of his time, will also be choice of his company, and choice of his actions. God hatlt given to man a short time on earth; yet on that eternity depends. We must remember that we have a great work to do, many enemies to conquer, many evils to prevent, much good to do, &c. God hath given every man work enough, so that there shall be no room for idleness; and yet hath so ordered the world, that there shall be space for devotion. Dangers and evils of idleness pointed out. Rules given for employing our time;--in the morning, in the pursuing of our employment, in the intervals of rest, in festivals, in the avoiding of bad company, in the avoiding of trifling, in offering up short prayers and ejaculations during our employment, in pursuing such employment as becomes reasonable persons, such as is fitted to our calling, such as becomes Christians, in the case of persons of great quality, in that of women of noble birth and fortune, in the avoiding of delicacy and niceness in clothing and diet, in the avoiding of curiosity, in the cutting off impertinent and useless occupations, in avoiding lavish recreations and amusements, in setting apart some portions of the day for devotion, in doing the work of God diligently, in measuring the returns of devotion, in redeeming diligently time lost, in setting apart solemn seasons for confession, &c, in examining ourselves before we lie down to sleep, in doing all these things ...