A17410:24
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.
Contents: The Contents of the whole Book.Contents: The Contents of the whole Booke.
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.
Avoid domestical unquietness. Cleanse thy self. 2. The celebration of it, where is prescribed: 1. Rest from all work. 2. Readiness and delight. 3. Care and watchfulness. 4. Sincerity to be showed: ⟨image 19⟩By doing Gods works with as much care as our own. By observing the whole day. By avoiding the lesser violations of the Sabbath. 5. Faith, by trusting upon his blessing. 6. Discretion. Chap. 19. p. 204. to 209. Hitherto of the rules that concern our carriage towards God: Towards man follows; and so either towards all men, or towards some men. The rules that order us in our carriage towards all men, concern either righteousness, or mercy. The rules that concern righteousness, either order in company, or out of company. ⟨image 20⟩In company we must be ordered, either in respect of Religion, or the sin of others, or the way how to carry our selves inoffensively: For matter of Religion look to it: 1. That thou take not up the name of God in vain. 2. That thou avoid vain janglings, about doubtful disputations, or curious questions, or unprofitable reasonings. 3. If thou be asked a reason of thy hope, answer with all reverence and meekness. 4. Let thy communication be yea, yea, and nay, nay. Chap. 20. p. 209. to 216. AS for the faults of others, 1. Justify not the wicked, ⟨image 20⟩nor condemn the righteous. 2. Converse, without judging. 3. Walk not about with tales. 4. Reprove, but hate not. 5. Pass by mere frailties. 6. Give soft answers. Chap. 21. p. 216. to 229. That thou mayest converse inoffensively, thou must look to three things, humility, discretion, and purity. Unto the humility of thy conversation belong these rules. 1. Be soft, show all meekness to all men. 2. Hearken to the words of those that are wise. 3. Stand not in the place of great men. Unto the discretion of thy conversation belong these rules. ⟨image 21⟩1. Speak what is acceptable. 2. Avoid those that cause divisions. 3. Make no friendship with the angry man. 4. In the evil time be silent. 5. And communicate not thy secrets. 6. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbours house. 7. Restrain thy passions. 8. Bless not thy friend with a loud voice. Unto the purity of thy conversation belong these rules: 1. Refrain thy tongue from evil. 2. Especially avoid filthy speaking, foolish talking and jesting, 3. Avoid revelling and drinking.