A17410:417
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, we must never in our discourse justify the wicked, or condemn the righteous; all excess in words is evil, but this is an abomination to the Lord: We must ever honour those that ⟨p. 210⟩fear the Lord, and as for vile persons, they are to be contemned, Psal. 15. 4. Amos 5. 15. Prou▪ 17. 15.
First, wee must neuer in our discourse iustifie the wicked, or condemn the righteous; all excesse in words is euill, but this is an abomination to the Lord: We must euer honour those that ⟨p. 210⟩feare the Lord, and as for vile persons, they are to bee contemned, Psal. 15. 4. Amos 5. 15. Prou▪ 17. 15.
Secondly, let thy conversation and discourse be without judging, Math. 7. 1. lam. 3. 17. It is time exceeding ill-spent, that is spent in censuring of others. And the rather should we take heed of judging, if we consider how the holy Ghost hath matched that sin in that place of James, we must be without judging, without hypocrisy: as if he would signify, that great Censurers are commonly great Hypocrites; and as ⟨p. 211⟩any are more wise, they are more sparing of their Censures.
Secondly, let thy conuersation and discourse be without iudging,