A17410:37
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.
If I have made the rules no more in number then God hath made them in his Word, thou mayest not find fault with me.
If I haue made the rules no more in number then God hath made them in his Word, thou maist not finde fault with me.
Secondly, no man that is to learn any Trade, or Science, but he meeteth with more directions, then he can on the sudden reach to, or practise, and yet he rejects not his Trade or Science, because in time he hopes to learn it all. Would we put on a resolution to serve a Prenticeship ⟨p. 8⟩to Religion, and to work hard one whole seven years: oh, what work would we dispatch! How many Rules and Knowledges would we grow skilful in! But alas, after many years profession of Christianity, the most of us, if all were put together, have not done the work, that might have been done in few days.
Secondly, no man that is to learne any Trade, or Science, but hee meeteth with more directions, then hee can on the suddaine reach to, or practise, and yet hee reiects not his Trade or Science, because in time he hopes to learne it all. Would we put on a resolution to serue a Prentiship ⟨p. 8⟩to Religion, and to worke hard one whole seuen yeeres: oh, what work would we dispatch! How many Rules and Knowledges would wee grow skilfull in! But alas, after many yeeres profession of Christianity, the most of vs, if all were put together, haue not done the worke, that might haue bene done in few daies.
Thirdly,1