The Practice Of Piety: A Puritan Devotional

by Lewis Bayly

The Practice of Piety presents the substance of several sermons Lewis Bayly preached while minister at Eversham. It was made into a devotional manual and soon became one of the most popular books in England. It was translated into Welsh, French, Hungarian, Polish, and several other languages.

The Practice of Piety is filled with scriptural and practical guidelines on the pursuit of holy living. Bayly begins his work with “a plain description of God in His essence, person, and attributes,” understanding this to be the basis for piety; every grace that sinners need springs from the gracious character of God. He emphasizes the necessity of true faith and holy living, and explains how to attain and maintain readiness for Christ’s second advent. Bayly then shows how to overcome obstacles to the pious life, stresses how piety is to be cultivated, and offers wise advice on the spiritual disciplines. He shows how to guide our thoughts, words, and actions in times of health as well as in times of sickness and affliction. He even provides directives to protect us from despair and the fear of death. In short, this is a book about how to live godly and die well.

Genres: Theology, Christian Living, Christian, Devotional

343 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1611

About the author

Lewis Bayly was a Puritan bishop of the Church of England.

Bayly is thought to have been born in either Carmarthen or Biggar, Scotland, the curate of Carmarthen, Thomas Bayly, may have been his father. He was educated at Oxford, and became vicar of Evesham, Worcestershire. Later, likely in 1604, he became rector of St Matthew Friday Street. He was then chaplain to Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, and was later chaplain to King James I, who, in 1616, appointed him Bishop of Bangor. Bayly was an ardent Puritan. He died in Bangor in 1631.

Bayly's fame rests on his book "The Practice of Piety, directing a Christian how to walk that he may please God." It reached its 74th edition in 1821 and has been translated into French, German, Dutch, Italian, Polish, Hungarian, Romansh, Welsh, and into the language of the Massachusetts Indians.

Reviews

[Jesse Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this Puritan reprint felt long-winded at first, I realised that I needed to slowly reflect upon these very winds—winds that blew with theologically-enriching and heart-piercing force. Laying in my bed at night, the blind spots of my sin were exposed as the brightness of God’s holiness stung my soul! This then paved the way for a greater glimpse into God’s grace. +Lewis illustrates this grace beautifully:, “The cry of the most grievous sins that ever we read of, could never reach up higher than unto heaven, as the cry of the sins of Sodom; but the mercy of God, saith David, reacheth up higher than the heavens, and so overtoppeth all our sins” (p.297). Amen!

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I would have given this book 3.5 stars if I could. There was some beautiful theology (especially on the Lord's Table) and prayers, but Bayly fell short in a poor argument for Sabbatarianism. In general, the book was just difficult to read and it was not the older English.

Regardless, this book has had some major impacts on the Church in the UK as it was in nearly every English household. I am thankful for God's use of it to aid men like John Bunyan to faith.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an extremely well done and well thought out book on the Christian's quest to be more like God. He does miss the target on a couple of points, but that does not distract from the overall point of this book.

[Matheus Silvestre · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro entrega o que ele anuncia: ensina a viver e a morrer em Cristo. Tem explicações teológicas incríveis para assuntos complicados, frases arrebatadoras, dados históricos relevantes, aplicações para a vida, guias de oração e muitas outras coisas. Recomendadíssimo!

[Rafael · Rating 5 out of 5]

O tipo de livro que deveria ser lido, pelo menos, uma vez ao ano. Esse livro desperta no crente o temor e a dúvida de sua salvação, bem como se suas obras estão sendo aceitas diante de Deus. Não é difícil ler este livro e achar que será lançado no inferno. No entanto, tal leitura nos permite enxergar, pela lente do Espírito, nossa real situação, nos dando oportunidade de arrependimento.

[Dustin Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can be kind of salty and entertaining at times, redundant others.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps more like 3.5 stars. Some parts were better than others. It might be better to use for reference and occasional reading rather than reading straight through.

[Joseph McBee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with The Practice of Piety. In fact, I almost set it aside multiple times, but it's a thin enough volume that I thought I should power through it and I did. I don't think the book itself is "bad" I just found it a bit tedious and heavy handed. I know what you're thinking, "What do you expect from a Puritan writer?!" But I have often found books from Puritans to be filled with joy. Maybe, I am not reading this at the right time in my life. I'm going to keep it on my shelf. I may visit it again someday.

[Denise Kettering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic of devotional and edification literature that offers readers insight into faith in the early 17th century. In a classical reformed tradition, Bayly urges the reader to contemplate his own position of sinfulness and decay in light of God's grace. The book centers on ways to meditate and pray in the face of death, illness, and the challenges of everyday life. While the approach may seem foreign to people today (e.g. contemplate on your body's decay), there is much that can still enrich one's spiritual and devotional life today.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book on the pursuit of holiness or piety. Bayly's book is a helpful reminder that the pursuit of holiness doesn't take place in a vacuum but rather in the context of every day life. And every day life is filled with challenges and, at times, pain.

[Gabriel Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A

[Vallery Powell]

I would like to read the book the Practice of Piety.

[Alex]

Only read Bayly's brief section in Chapter 20 on alms giving.