A17410:364
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.
Hitherto of the Rules, that concern the most usual parts of Gods service: There are other parts of Gods service, which are to be used, but at certain times, and upon special occasions, & these are Vows, and Oaths, and Fasting.
HItherto of the Rules, that concerne the most vsuall parts of Gods seruice: There are other parts of Gods seruice, which are to be vsed, but at certaine times, and vpon speciall occasions, & these are Vowes, and Oathes, and Fasting.
1. First, Before thou vowest, consider: consider, I say, thine own strength, whether thou be able to do it: and consider also the end, that it be to Gods glory; and consider the matter, that thou vow not things unlawful: and consider what may be the events of thy Vow, for all Vows being made before the Angel, that takes notice of all Covenants, it will be in vain afterwards to plead, it was an error, thou wast mistaken: God may be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands: Be not rash therefore, to cause ⟨p. 188⟩