A17410:146
The rules of a holy life. Or A treatise containing the holy order of…
The rules of a holy life. Or A treatise containing the holy order of our lives, prescribed in the Scripture concerning our carriage: towards God, towards men, towards our selves. With general rules of preparation, that concern either the helps, or the manner of a holy conversation. By N. Bifield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.The rules of a holy life. Or A treatise containing the holy order of our liues, prescribed in the Scripture concerning our carriage: towards God, towards men, towards our selues. With generall rules of preparation, that concerne either the helps, or the maner of a holy conuersation. By N. Bifield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.
London: printed by George for Ralph Rounthwaite, 1619
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1.1 We must exclude out of our thoughts all likenesses, so as men do not think of God, representing ⟨p. 85⟩him by the similitude of any creature: He that forbids Images of him in Churches, forbids it also in our heads, Commandment 2. Isaiah 40. Deut. 4.
1.1 Wee must exclude out of our thoughts all likenesses, so as men do not thinke of God, representing ⟨p. 85⟩him by the similitude of any creature: Hee that forbids Images of him in Churches, forbids it also in our heads, Commandement 2. Esay 40. Deut. 4.
- 11. We must cast out all likenesses.
2. We must strive to conceive of him according to his praises declared by his works,1 or in his Word. This is an excellent, and easy way to think of God. Since our hearts cannot conceive his Nature, we should fill them with the impression of his praises, and according to them direct our affection, and service to him: As I would bring this mind to ⟨p. 86⟩prayer, or any other service of God, I cannot make any resemblance of the Divine Substance, whom I am about to serve: yet this will I do, I will remember that he that I pray unto, is most wise, most omnipotent, most just, most gracious, &c. Thus God proclaims himself by his praises,