A17410:46
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.
1 He must examine himself about his faith and repentance; he must be sure he is reconciled to God, and hath truly repented himself of his sins, 2. Cor. 13. 5. For unless he be a new creature, he is no creature, but a dead man, and so utterly unable for the practice of these rules following: And without God we can do nothing; and without God we are, till we live by faith: Besides, the pollution of our hearts or lives drawn upon us by the custom of sin past ⟨p. 15⟩and present, will so infect all we do, that it will be abominable to God, and so lost labour.
1 He must examine himselfe about his faith and repentance; hee must bee sure hee is reconciled to God, and hath truely repented himselfe of his sinnes, 2. Cor. 13. 5. For vnlesse hee bee a new creature, hee is no creature, but a dead man, and so vtterly vnable for the practice of these rules following: And without God we can do nothing; and without God we are, till we liue by faith: Besides, the pollution of our hearts or liues drawne vpon vs by the custome of sinne past ⟨p. 15⟩and present, will so infect all we do, that it will bee abominable to God, and so lost labour.
This is the first Rule.
2 His next care must be to learn the knowledge of the rules of life; we can never practise what we know not, and therefore our next care and pains must be to get the knowledge of Gods ways distinctly, and effectually, into our heads and hearts; Our direction must not be in our books, but in our heads; and a Christian must have his rules always before him, that so he