A69028:120
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. Cast out such as believe that all the doctrines be true, but it is by such a saith as the devils have: for the devils believe the doctrines to be true, but so, as they hate it, and the teaching of it, and all such as thrive in knowledge and profession of it. Are there not multitudes of people with us, that discover this kind of devilish quality? do they not from their hearts loath preaching? do they not from their hearts ⟨p. 25⟩hate such as are the best believers? do they not readily and spitefully speak evil of such as fear God in every place? these cannot be right, that believe loathing.
4. Cast out such as beleeue that all the doctrines be true, but it is by such a saith as the diuells haue: for the diuells beleeue the doctrines to be true, but so, as they hate it, and the teaching of it, and all such as thriue in knowledge and profession of it. Are there not multitudes of people with vs, that discouer this kinde of diuellish quality? doe they not from their hearts loath preaching? doe they not from their hearts ⟨p. 25⟩hate such as are the best beleeuers? doe they not readily and spitefully speake euill of such as feare God in euery place? these cannot be right, that beleeue loathing.
5. Cast out such as believe with a dead faith: that is such as find no manner of fear, nor virtue, nor operation in these doctrines: but can take in a great deal of the literal knowledge of these truths, and yet it hath no power to work upon their hearts: These have not so much faith as the devils have; for they believe and tremble, that is they are affrighted and extremely amazed at the thought of the fulfilling and accomplishment of these truths, considering their own misery. Whereas multitudes of Christians, hear of belief, and talk of these things, and are not a whit moved either with fear or sorrow.