A17410:70
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.
He must study to be quiet,1 and follow peace with all men, meddling with his own business, and avoiding all occasion of contention, ⟨p. 36⟩that might distract him in his own course: A busybody is as good as no body in respect of sound progress in sanctification: It is an excellent skill to be able to avoid the entanglements of discord; especially he must provide to have perfect peace with the godly. Though GOD be able to sanctify the oppositions of unreasonable men, yet we must take heed of drawing needless troubles upon our selves; for that makes us neither to be, nor to be accounted the more holy, but contrariwise. ⟨p. 37⟩The Apostle could not speak unto the Corinthians, as unto spiritual men, but as unto carnal; at the best, but Babes in Christ; and the reason was, because there was strife and envy, and division amongst them, Romans 9. 19. Hebrews 12. 14. Mark 9. ult. I. Cor. 3. 3.
He must study to be quiet,1 and follow peace with all men, meddling with his own businesse, and auoiding all occasion of contention, ⟨p. 36⟩that might distract him in his owne course: A busybody is as good as no body in respect of sound progresse in sanctification: It is an excellent skill to bee able to auoide the intanglements of discord; especially hee must prouide to haue perfect peace with the godly. Though GOD bee able to sanctifie the oppositions of vnreasonable men, yet wee must take heed of drawing needlesse troubles vpon our selues; for that makes vs neither to be, nor to be accounted the more holy, but contrariwise. ⟨p. 37⟩The Apostle could not speake vnto the Corinthians, as vnto spirituall men, but as vnto carnall; at the best, but Babes in Christ; and the reason was, because there was strife and enuy, and diuision amongst them,