A17410:243
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.
8. We must get Catalogues of Gods praises in particular, and fill our hearts with the knowledge & contemplation of them.
8. VVee must get Catalogues of Gods praises in particular, and fill our hearts with the knowledge & contemplation of them.
9 If we would be preserved in the love of God, we must labour to attain to the ability to rejoice in God, and delight our selves in God. A wife that would ⟨p. 127⟩increase her love to her husband, must strive to solace her self often with her husband, and to form in her heart a special delight in him: So must we do to God. This is miserably neglected, and yet exceeding necessary: Nor is it an ordinary joy we should take in God, but we should joy in him, first, with all our hearts: 2. not for a time, but always, every day; nor with common, but with exceeding joys, Phi. 4. 4. Ps. 37. 4. & 68. •, 4. & 105. 3.1 Now that this point may be the better understood, I will consider of two things: first, ⟨p. 128⟩what it is to delight and •oy in God: secondly, what we should do that might delight, and take pleasure in God.
9 If we would be preserued in the loue of God, wee must labour to attaine to the ability to reioyce in God, and delight our selues in God. A wife that would ⟨p. 127⟩increase her loue to her husband, must striue to solace her selfe often with her husband, and to forme in her heart a speciall delight in him: So must wee doe to God. This is miserably neglected, and yet exceeding necessary: Nor is it an ordinary ioy we should take in God, but we should ioy in him, first, with all our hearts: 2. not for a time, but alwaies, euery day; nor with cōmon, but with exceeding ioyes, Phi. 4. 4.