A69028:1572
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.
From the Doctrine of Christs Incarnation, we may be informed of divers things: as
From the Doctrine of Christs Incarnation, wee may be informed of diuers things: as
1 Concerning the wonder of the person of our Saviour: for here mortality and immortality meet together in the same person: It is truly affirmed, that he is created and uncreated; without beginning, and yet did begin in time; a Jew according to the flesh, and yet GOD blessed over all for ever: GOD before all ages, and yet man living amongst us; God before the flesh, God in flesh, and God with flesh. By his Miracles showing his Divinity, and by his Sufferings showing his Humanity. Having one generation without beginning, and another generation without example. In the one he makes man, and in the other he delivers man. The one was before man, and the other above man. Gods Son becomes mans Son, and yet not changed from what he was, but assuming what he was not. The taking of our low estate did not diminish the Majesty of his high estate, for he so took what was ours, as he lost not what was his own, joining both natures in such a bond, as neither Majesty consumed the inferior, nor assumption diminished the superior in man changing the condition of other men, and yet in himself remaining unchangeable. The manner of this union in the Incarnation being a mystery to be believed, not discussed. That the Word was made flesh I know, but how he was made so I know not: nor do any creature ⟨p. 257⟩know. The mystery hid from ages was revealed in this last age, revealed, I say, that there was such a thing done, but not revealed how it was done.
1 Concerning the wonder of the person of our Sauiour: for here mortality and immortality meet together in the same person: It is truly affirmed, that hee is created and vncreated; without beginning, and yet did beginne in time; a Iew according to the flesh, and yet GOD blessed ouer all for euer: GOD before all ages, and yet man liuing amongst vs; God before the flesh, God in flesh, and God with flesh. By his Miracles shewing his Diuinity, and by his Sufferings shewing his Humanity. Hauing one generation without beginning, and another generation without example. In the one hee makes man, and in the other hee deliuers man. The one was before man, and the other aboue man. Gods Sonne becomes mans Sonne, and yet not changed from what he was, but assuming what he was not. The taking of our low estate did not diminish the Maiesty of his high estate, for he so tooke what was ours, as he lost not what was his owne, ioyning both natures in such a bond, as neither Maiesty consumed the inferiour, nor assumption diminished the superiour in man changing the condition of other men, and yet in himselfe remaining vnchangeable. The manner of this vnion in the Incarnation being a mystery to bee beleeued, not discussed. That the Word was made flesh I know, but how he was made so I know not: nor doe any creature