A69028:102
The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…
The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as it affordeth both milk for babes, and strong meat for such as are at full age / by ... Nicholas Bifield ; ... now published ... by his son, Adoniram Bifield.The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as it affordeth both milke for babes, and strong meat for such as are at full age / by ... Nicholas Bifield ; ... now published ... by his sonne, Adoniram Bifield.
London: printed by G.M. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith, 1626
THE CREED. › Article 1 › I Believe.THE CREEDE. › Article 1 › I Beleeue.
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.
Now, because some of these things in believing may be found in reprobates as well as the Elect, and that the heart of man is exceeding deceitful in the point of faith, and the devil applied his temptations, with all subtlety and power, to deceive men in their believing, therefore unto these things which are comprehended within the nature of the believing here mentioned, I add the distinct consideration of such things as must be found in the manner of our believing: we must look to it how we believe these Articles, for we may be many ways deceived: for,
Now, because some of these things in beleeuing may bee found in reprobates as well as the Elect, and that the heart of man is exceeding deceitfull in the point of faith, and the diuell applied his temptations, with all subtilty and power, to deceiue men in their beleeuing, therefore vnto these things which are comprehended within the nature of the beleeuing heer mentioned, I adde the distinct consideration of such things as must bee found in the manner of our beleeuing: wee must looke to it how we beleeue these Articles, for we may be many waies deceiued: for,
1. We must believe them with the heart, and not confess them with the mouth only, Rom. 10. 10. and to believe them with our hearts, is to believe them in deed, not in show; to believe them voluntarily, not upon compulsion; to believe them affectionately, not coldly, or dully: our faith must be a lively faith, not a dead faith.
1. We must beleeue them with the heart, and not confesse them with the mouth onely, Rom. 10. 10. and to beleeue them with our hearts, is to beleeue them in deede, not in shew; to beleeue them voluntarily, not vpon compulsion; to beleeue them affectionately, not coldely, or dully: our faith must be a liuely faith, not a dead faith.