A69028:115
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.
Lastly, we must believe these Articles, but not all with one kind of faith: for some of these things we believe in; that is, place our trust and confidence, and all hope of happiness ⟨p. 24⟩in them; so we believe in God, and in Jesus Christ, and in the holy Ghost: but other things we do not believe in, but believe, as the properties and privileges of the Church, as we may discern by the difference of speaking in the Creed. We say I believe in God, but do not say, I believe in the holy Church, &c.
Lastly, we must beleeue these Articles, but not all with one kinde of faith: for some of these things we beleeue in; that is, place our trust and confidence, and all hope of happinesse ⟨p. 24⟩in them; so we beleeue in God, and in Iesus Christ, and in the holy Ghost: but other things wee doe not beleeue in, but beleeue, as the properties and priuiledges of the Church, as wee may discerne by the difference of speaking in the Creed. Wee say I beleeue in God, but doe not say, I beleeue in the holy Church, &c.
The use may be first, for information: we may hence gather that there are but few sound Christians in any place: there are but few that believe their Creed, observing all the duties and conditions required in belief, and consequently, but few that receive the benefit of the Gospel, or that shall be saved. This will appear if a Trial could be made even in the places that are most populous, and abound most with Christians in name. For, if all the sorts of men be cast out, that have not a faith agreeable to this doctrine, there will be but a few left: as for instance.
The vse may be first, for information: we may hence gather that there are but few sound Christians in any place: there are but few that beleeue their Creed, obseruing all the duties and conditions required in beliefe, and consequently, but few that receiue the benefit of the Gospell, or that shall be saued. This will appeare if a Tryall could bee made euen in the places that are most populous, and abound most with Christians in name. For, if all the sorts of men bee cast out, that haue not a faith agreeable to this doctrine, there will bee but a few left: as for instance.