A17410:394
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.
First, by doing Gods work with as much care, as we would do our own, or rather showing more care for the service of GOD. They had their double sacrifices on the Sabbath, in the time of the Law, and we should study, how we might please GOD in especial manner on that day, choosing out the things that might delight him: God hath taken but one day of seven for his work; and shall we not do it willingly? Further, if we respect our selves, shall we not be as careful to provide ⟨p. 200⟩for our souls on the Sabbath, as for our bodies on the week days?
First, by doing Gods worke with as much care, as we would doe our own, or rather shewing more care for the seruice of GOD. They had their double sacrifices on the Sabbath, in the time of the Law, and wee should studie, how wee might please GOD in especiall manner on that day, choosing out the things that might delight him: God hath taken but one day of seuen for his worke; and shall wee not doe it willingly? Further, if wee respect our selues, shall we not bee as carefull to prouide ⟨p. 200⟩for our soules on the Sabbath, as for our bodies on the weeke daies?
2. By observing the whole day, as well as a part, and keeping the Sabbath in our dwellings, as well as in Gods house: God requires the whole day, and not a part. As we would not be contented our servants should work for us only an hour, or two in the six days: so neither should we yield less unto God, then we require for our selves. Nor will it suffice to serve God by public duties in his House, unless we serve him also by ⟨p. 201⟩private duties in our own dwellings, Commandment 4. Levit. 23. 3.
2. By obseruing the whole day, as well as a part, and keeping the Sabbath in our dwellings, as well as in Gods house: God requires the whole day, and not a part. As wee would not be contented our seruants should worke for vs onely an houre, or two in the six daies: so neither should wee yeeld lesse vnto God, then wee require for our selues. Nor will it suffice to serue God by publike duties in his House, vnlesse wee serue him also by