A69028:1214
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
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.
Fourthly, wicked men are bitterly reproved in Scripture by the very consideration of the Beasts of the Field, and that two ways: either because they are in some things worse then the beasts, or else because they make themselves like the beasts. They are worse then the beasts, for not acknowledging God. The Ass knows his owner, and the Ox his Masters Crib, but wicked men do not know God who yet provideth daily for them, Isaiah 1. 3. Sluggards are likewise shamed by the very Pismire, which worketh when it hath none to command it to work, and provideth in Summer against Winter, Prou. 6. 6, 7, 8. Drunkards and Gluttons shall have the beasts of the field to rise up in judgement against them, because they, if they come to a River, will drink no more then may suffice nature. They are likened to beasts in general for their uncapablenesse, and want of understanding in spiritual things, and for their ignorance of their own dangers, or carelessness of their own ruin to come. Thus men are called brutish, Psal. 49.
Fourthly, wicked men are bitterly reproued in Scripture by the very consideration of the Beasts of the Field, and that two wayes: either because they are in some things worse then the beasts, or else because they make themselues like the beasts. They are worse then the beasts, for not acknowledging God. The Asse knowes his owner, and the Oxe his Masters Crib, but wicked men doe not know God who yet prouideth dayly for them, Esay 1. 3. Sluggards are likewise shamed by the very Pismire, which worketh when it hath none to command it to worke, and prouideth in Summer against Winter, Prou. 6. 6, 7, 8. Drunkards and Gluttons shall haue the beasts of the field to rise vp in iudgement against them, because they, if they come to a Riuer, will drinke no more then may suffice nature. They are likened to beasts in generall for their vncapablenesse, and want of vnderstanding in spirituall things, and for their ignorance of their owne dangers, or carelesnesse of their owne ruine to come. Thus men are called brutish, Psal. 49.