Praxis I

Praxis pietatis, to jest O cvičení se v pobožnosti pravé knížka milostná: Kterak by křesťanský člověk v pravé a spasitedlné známosti jak Boha, tak i sebe samého platně prospívati a život svůj v bázni Boží dobře spořádaje, potěšeně v svědomí pokojném stráviti i naposledy jej po dokonání běhu blahoslaveně zavříti mohl, vyučující

Praxis pietatis, that is, On practising piety, a little book affectionate: teaching the means by which a Christian person in true and redeemable knowledge of both God and of his self might beneficially arrange himself and his life in fear of God, happy in the knowledge of peaceful occupation and lastly how to end the race in bliss once it is run.

Origin of the work:
1629 – 1630 Leszno

Editions:
  (1630 Leszno), undated, place of publication not given.

1641 probably at Trenčín, parts I&II

1877 Prague, parts I&II

1922 Brno, parts I & II

Contents:

A religious educational text on the need to hold to maintain discipline, on the obligations of Man towards God, and on the order of justice. This is not an original work by Comenius, but rather a translation and emendation of a popular treatise by the English theologian Lewise Bayley (1565 – 1631).

Comenius initially calls upon the Czech nation, among whom Hus first lit the fire of God’s truth and among whom that fire has ceased to burn, to follow the road of repentance and true piety. He speaks of God`s perfection, of the imperfection of mankind and how it may be overcome, how to piously comport oneself through the whole day, during meals, on holy days, in church, during divine services, sermons and the Eucharist, during illness, convalescence and at death. The work became a favourite for its ardency and engaging style, as did its second part  (the Praxis pietatis II).

For further study, see also:

J. V. Novák & J. Hendrich, Jan Amos Komenský, jeho život a spisy. Prague 1932, pp175-1770

Vybrané spisy J. A. Komenského, vol. VII. Prague 1974, p48

Jan Kumpera, Jan Amos Komenský, poutník na rozhraní věků. Prague & Ostrava 1992, p288