A69028:155
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.
2. A combat with the unregenerate part: If these doctrines be rightly believed, a man shall find in himself, that these truths do resist and fight against the corruptions of our own nature, even the most secret evils of our hearts, and will not rest till they have mastered the flesh wi•h the lusts thereof, or else they cause unspeakable sighs and groans and sorrow after God, for the presence and power of rebellious corruptions: The true faith will by no means brook the polluted and evil disposition of the heart, Acts 15. 9.
2. A combat with the vnregenerate parte: If these doctrines be rightly beleeued, a man shall finde in himselfe, that these truthes doe resist and fight against the corruptions of our owne nature, euen the most secret euills of our hearts, and will not rest till they haue mastered the flesh wi•h the lusts thereof, or else they cause vnspeakeable sighes and groanes and sorrow after God, for the presence and power of rebellious corruptions: The true faith will by no meanes brook the polluted and euill disposition of the heart, Acts 15. 9.
3. The liberty of the heart from that banishment and imprisonment in which it lived before without God: so as now by the light and encouragement of these truths, the heart discerns Gods free grace in calling us to his presence, and is well persuaded of God, and therefore daily with an holy boldness goeth unto God in the use of his ordinances by the direction and assistance of his spirit, Ephes. 3. 12. Rom. 5. 2. & 8. 38.