Tuesday 13 January 2009

A Threefold Alphabet of Rules Concerning Christian Living

by Thomas Taylor
[ TT was knocking around in the 16th and 17th Centuries .... so I have tried to lightly edit his work so that it is easier for a ‘modern’ like myself to read. I hope that this has not changed his meaning in any significant way.]

This was gathered at a friend’s request in this particular way to help with memorisation.

The first precept of every letter concerns our duty towards God; the second our duty towards our neighbours; the third our duty towards ourselves.

Awake with God in the morning, and before all things give him your first fruits and calves of your lips, in:
(a) confession of sin
(b) petition of necessities for the body and Soul
(c) thankfulness for mercies received, especially your late preservation, rest and the protection of you and yours.
Account it not enough that you yourself serve God, unless that you see all in your charge do the same.
Arm yourself against whatsoever the day may bring forth. And upon all occasions think on your happy redemption, with much thankfulness at so happy conjunction of justice and mercy.



Beware of occasions of sin, and wisely inure yourself in subduing the least, that at length the greater may be foiled.
Believe all that God speaks to you in his word, but not all that men tell you; nor tell to any other all that you hear, but only the truth, and that neither all, nor always.
Before you take in hand anything, counsel with God’s word if it be lawful, and then perform it with prayer, that it may be as successful as lawful.

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