A17410:459
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.
Mercy followeth. Now in showing mercy, divers things are charged upon us.
Mercy followeth. Now in shewing mercie, diuers things are charged vpon vs.
First,1 Willingness. We must give cheerfully: For the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. We must love mercy, as well as show mercy. Our hearts should be ever answerable to our power. We must be ready, and prepared to show mercy, abhorring delays, and putting off of time, or seeking excuses: Our ears should be open to the cries of the poor, rather then be behind hand; we should sell, that we might give alms, ⟨p. 233⟩Mich. 6. 8. 1. Tim. 6. 18. 2. Cor. 9. 4, 5, 6, 7. Pro. 22. 23, 13. Luke 12. 33. Pro. 3. 27, 28.
First,1 Willingnesse. We must giue cheerefully: For the Lord loueth a cheerefull giuer. We must loue mercy, as well as shew mercy. Our hearts should bee euer answerable to our power. We must be ready, and prepared to shew mercy, abhorring delaies, and putting off of time, or seeking excuses: Our eares should bee open to the cries of the poore, rather then bee behinde hand; we should sell, that wee might giue almes, ⟨p. 233⟩