I not for certain, but I think I remember reading William Law wrote this when he was a teenager.
Rules Of Holy Living
By William Law
1. The greatness of human nature consists in nothing else but in being a channel for the Divine nature of God to express Itself, and show forth It's fruits, which all stem from Love, for God is love.
2. Love, that is, God's love, never fails, it bears all things, it is always patience, it is always kind, and God's love never fails!
3. Love, pity, and wish well to every soul in the world; dwell in love, and then you dwell in God. Hate nothing but the evil that stirs in your own heart
4. Be patient in all things, and in all circumstances, and with everyone. When you are patient, you are resisting the Devil, when you are not patient, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God!
5. Be meek at all times, instead of argumentative, and wrathful. When you are meek, you are resisting the Devil, when you are not meek, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God!
6. Be humble in all situations, don't allow pride in anything to rise up in you, for this is allowing the Devil to rise up in you. When you are humble, you are resisting the Devil, When you are not humble, you are resisting the Holy Spirit of God!
7. With humility of mind, always regard others as more important than yourself.
8. Be wholly resigned to all of the will of God, at all times and under all circumstances.
9. Never allow a lie to escape from your mouth, or actions.
10. Always remember that if you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end, make no difference what you have chosen instead.
11. Do not want or lust for anything, but only desire the things you truly need; food, drink, and clothing. With these things the Lord has said we are to be satisfied.
12. Think nothing great, or desirable, because the world thinks it so, but form all of your judgments from the infallible word of God, and then direct your life accordingly.
13. Be always fearful of letting your time slip away without some fruit.
14. Spend time in giving an account of your day, previous to your evening prayer, as to how you have spent the day.
15. Avoid all concerns with the world, or the ways of the world, except where serving God requires it.
16. Fix it deep in your mind that you have only one important business in this life, and that is to seek for eternal happiness, by doing the will of God, and to examine everything, as it serves, or obstructs this one purpose of your life.
17. Nothing has separated us from God but our own will; or rather our own will is our separation from God.
18. Remember often, and impress it upon your mind deeply, that no condition or circumstances of this life is for enjoyment, but that all conditions and circumstances of this life are a trial, a test!
19. Be intent on the perfection of the present day.
20. Avoid all concerns with the world, or the ways of the world, except where true Christianity requiresit.
21. Spend as little time as you possibly can among such persons that cannot receive any benefit from you, nor you from them.
22. Do not worry about anything, instead, always pray with supplication, and with a thankful heart to God. When you do this you can always count on the results, which is; the peace of God, that will always surpass all comprehension, and will guard your heart, and your mind, in Christ Jesus. You never receive this kind of peace when you worry about the problems and situations in your life. Remember, you won't be able to pray this way, without faith, which is a true trust in the Living God!
23. Self is the root, the tree, and the branches of all the evils of our fallen state. All that is sweet, delightful, and amiable in this world, in the serenity of the air, the fineness of seasons, the joy of light, the melody of sounds, the beauty of colors, the fragrance of smells, the splendor of precious stones, is nothing else but Heaven breaking through the veil of this world, manifesting itself in some degree, and darting to and fro in many varieties of its own nature.
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Patrick Ersig
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