A17410:439
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.
Sixthly, with-draw thy ⟨p. 223⟩feet from thy neighbours house, left he be weary of thee and hate thee: This is an excellent rule given by Solomon, Pro. 25. 17. If thou wouldest converse with reputation, take heed of idle gadding from house to house, when thou hast no occasion or employment: Thou mayest draw hereby much secret contempt, and loathing of thee, when thy emptiness and vanity shall be thereby discovered. An empty conversation, that hath in it no exercise of piety or virtue, if it be frequent, occasioneth secret, and unutterable scorn.
Sixthly, with-draw thy ⟨p. 223⟩feete from thy neighbours house, left hee bee weary of thee and hate thee: This is an excellent rule giuen by Salomon, Pro. 25. 17. If thou wouldest conuerse with reputation, take heed of idle gadding from house to house, when thou hast no occasion or employment: Thou maist draw hereby much secret contempt, and loathing of thee, when thy emptinesse and vanity shal be thereby discouered. An empty conuersation, that hath in it no exercise of piety or vertue, if it be frequent, occasioneth secret, and vnutterable scorne.
7. Restrain thine own passions in conversing. There are none so wise, but if they show their passions of immoderate anger, fear, grief; yea, or joy, but they discover much weaknesses in their disposition, which would be covered if thou didst bridle the excess of thy passions. A wise man covereth shame, when a fool is presently known: It is the best praise not to have such weaknesses; but the next to this, is by discretion to bridle our selves, so as we may hide our weaknesses from breaking out.
7. Restraine thine owne passions in conuersing. There are none so wise, but if they shew their passions of immoderate anger, feare, griefe; yea, or ioy, but they discouer much weakenesses in their disposition, which would bee couered if thou didst bridle the excesse of thy passions. A wise man couereth shame, when a foole is presently knowne: It is the best praise not to haue such weakenesses; but the next to this, is by discretiō to bridle our selues, so as wee may hide our weakenesses from breaking out.