A17410:524
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 strive to be like minded in matters of opinion; many discords or abatements of affection grow among Christians for their differences of opinion in divers things. It is true, that difference of Judgement should not cause difference in affection: If we cannot be of one mind, yet we should be of one heart; yet we see the contrary, and therefore every Christian should make conscience of it, to be so wary and so humble in his opinions, ⟨p. 273⟩especially in things doubtful, or not so necessary, as to take heed of admitting, who might show dissent from the godly; or if he must needs dissent, yet to be very wary how he discover it to the vexation, or entanglement of others. Now because this is very hard to persuade Christians unto, mark how vehemently the Apostle speaks of it, Rom. 15. 5, 6. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded, that ye may with one mouth and one mind glorify God. We must learn of the Apostle ⟨p. 274⟩to pray fervently for this, that our natures, and the natures of others, with whom we converse, may be fitted hereunto: and 1. Cor. 1. 10. the Apostle adjures them by the name of Jesus: I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions amongst you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement. And in the Epistle to the Philippians cha. 2. ver. 1, 2, 3. He urgeth them with strange vehemency to import ⟨p. 275⟩the necessity of this duty: If, saith he, there be any consolation in Christ, or any fellowship of the Spirit, or any bowels of mercy, be like minded, having the same love, being of one mind. And certainly, this earnestness in requiring this duty, imports, that some perverse Christians will smoke one day, for their presumption and waywardness, and pride of opinions.
First, wee must striue to be like minded in matters of opinion; many discords or abatements of affection grow among Christians for their differences of opinion in diuers things. It is true, that difference of Iudgement should not cause difference in affection: If wee cannot bee of one minde, yet wee should bee of one heart; yet wee see the contrary, and therefore euery Christian should make conscience of it, to bee so wary and so humble in his opinions,