A17410:440
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.
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.
Lastly, thou mayest make good use of that direction of Solomon about thy friend, Bless not thy friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning; for it may be accounted a curse to thee: Take heed of flattery, which in stead of effecting thine own ends, may bring thee out of all respect. He doth not forbid the just praise, and encouragement of friends, but the intending of praise of purpose to the uttermost notice of thy friend (this is to praise him with a loud voice) and the affectation of preventing others ⟨p. 226⟩in praising; and of doing it in such things as are not yet sufficiently known to be praise-worthy, and to set ones self so to praise, as if he studied to do nothing else, but humour his friends, especially if it be but once perceived, that thou dost it but for thy own ends. It is a great part of wisdom, to know how to speak of the praise of others, so as neither sinister ends be intended, nor the humouring of those we praise: to do it sparingly and seasonably, is a great discretion.
Lastly, thou maist make good vse of that direction of Salomon about thy friend, Blesse not thy friend with a loud voyee, rising early in the morning; for it may bee accounted a curse to thee: Take heed of flattery, which in stead of effecting thine owne ends, may bring thee out of all respect. Hee doth not forbid the iust praise, and encouragement of friends, but the intending of praise of purpose to the vttermost notice of thy friend (this is to praise him with a loud voice) and the affectation of preuenting others