The grounds of a holy life: or The way by which many who were heathens came to be Christians ... To which is added, Paul's speech to the Bishop of Crete ... The fourteenth edition

The Grounds of a Holy Life was originally composed by the English Quaker Hugh Turford in the late 17th century. It emerged during a period when the Religious Society of Friends sought to codify their quietist theology, emphasizing an inward spiritual transformation over outward ritualism. The text served as a foundational guide for those seeking to understand the Quaker doctrine of the 'inner light' and the practical application of holiness in daily existence, finding a persistent audience among nonconformists throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

This specific edition represents the longevity and enduring popularity of Turford's devotional writing within the publishing landscape of the era. The fourteenth edition is indicative of the work's transition from a regional pamphlet to a staple of religious household literature. Its design is typical of pocket-sized devotional volumes of the time, produced with modest typography and sturdy binding intended for repeated study rather than display, reflecting the austere aesthetic and humble purpose favored by its original Quaker readership.