A69028:121
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.
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.
5. Cast out such as beleeue with a dead faith: that is such as finde no manner of feare, nor vertue, nor operation in these doctrines: but can take in a great deale of the literall knowledge of these truthes, and yet it hath no power to worke vpon their hearts: These haue not so much faith as the diuells haue; for they beleeue and tremble, that is they are afrighted and extreamely amazed at the thought of the fulfilling and accomplishment of these truthes, considering their owne misery. Whereas multitudes of Christians, heare of beliefe, and talke of these things, and are not a whit moued either with feare or sorrowe.
6. Cast out such as have but a temporary faith. And in them consider: first, what they have in their faith, and then by what things it may be manifest that their faith is insufficient: for the first, these men are not altogether without faith, they have knowledge of the meaning of the doctrine of the Gospel, they assent to it and are assured it is the truth and can prove it, and they hate not the doctrine but rather like it and love it. And besides, their belief of these things worketh much upon them: for they hear the Word with Joy, Mat. 13. yea and are moved and persuaded to reform their lives, and by it escape much filthiness which is in others and was in themselves, 2. Pet. 2. 20. and they do join themselves to, and keep company openly with such as fear God, as Judas and Demas did with the Apostles: and do spend much time in reading the Scriptures and good books, and may be forward to reprove or punish vice and wickedness in other men as Jehu was, and yet all this notwithstanding their faith is vain: which will appear to their consciences if they consider these things in them: