A69028:106
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.
4. We must believe all the Articles of the faith totally, not in some parts only; faith is copulative here: we must believe all or none. He cannot be sound in the faith, that is corrupted in his judgement about any these Articles: faith, that is, a sound faith believes all that is written.
4. We must beleeue all the Articles of the faith totally, not in some parts onely; faith is copulatiue heere: we must beleeue all or none. He cannot be sound in the faith, that is corrupted in his iudgement about any these Articles: faith, that is, a sound faith beleeues all that is written.
5. We must believe with application. It is not enough to believe, that these doctrines are true, or good, but we must believe that they belong to each of us in particular, or else we shall have little profit or comfort by them. What can it comfort us to believe that these things are, or that others shall have the benefit of them, if they belong not to us? Thus I must believe that I have the benefit of Gods power or providence, and of Christs Incarnation and Passion, and exaltation, and that I am a member of the Church, and have my part in his privileges. This is a main thing to be attained; for a reprobate may go so far, to believe that these doctrines are true.
5. We must beleeue with application. It is not inough to beleeue, that these doctrines are true, or good, but wee must beleeue that they belong to each of vs in particular, or else we shall haue little profit or comfort by them. What can it comfort vs to beleeue that these things are, or that others shall haue the benefit of them, if they belong not to vs? Thus I must beleeue that I haue the benefit of Gods power or prouidence, and of Christs Incarnation and Passion, and exaltation, and that I am a member of the Church, and haue my parte in his priuiledges. This is a maine thing to be attained; for a reprobate may goe so farre, to beleeue that these doctrines are true.