A69028:110
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.
8. We must believe with perseverance: we must so give entertainment to these sacred truths, now, as that we also mean to live and die in this faith. The faith that is temporary will little avail us, we must so provide that our faith may last to the end. And therefore the word is I do believe, ⟨p. 22⟩in the present time, not I have believed, or I will believe, to note, that there must be no time wherein a Christian may truly say now I believe not. Now that we may not be deceived herein, we must look to three things. First, that we cast off all carnal ends in our profession of faith: and look to it that we take not up the profession of religion for sinister respects, as many have done, for such ends as these, to wit, to get credit, and the favour of men, or to make themselves capable of the preferment of this world, or to show their gifts; or, which is worse, to cover secret wicked practises, or open faults.
8. We must beleeue with perseuerance: we must so giue entertainement to these sacred truthes, now, as that wee also meane to liue and die in this faith. The faith that is temporarie will little auaile vs, we must so prouide that our faith may last to the end. And therefore the word is I do beleeue, ⟨p. 22⟩in the present time, not I haue beleeued, or I will beleeue, to note, that there must be no time wherein a Christian may truely say now I beleeue not. Now that we may not be deceiued herein, we must looke to three things. First, that we cast off all carnall ends in our profession of faith: and looke to it that wee take not vp the profession of religion for sinister respects, as many haue done, for such ends as these, to wit, to get credit, and the fauour of men, or to make themselues capable of the preferment of this world, or to shew their gifts; or, which is worse, to couer secret wicked practises, or open faults.
Secondly, that we build not our Faith upon wrong Causes or grounds, such as are the respect of any mans person or opinion or the enticing words of mens wisdom, or the mere colours and probabilities of mens arguments; but be sure we place our Faith upon the Word of God.