A69028:1625
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.
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.
Now concerning the Birth of Christ, we must know that he is said to be borne three ways: Of his Father, and of his Mother, and in the mind of Man; of his Father he is borne eternally, of his Mother temporally, in the mind of man spiritually: In Christ there are three things which have Relation to his Nativity, Deity, Flesh, and Spirit: of his Father, he is borne God, of his Mother, Flesh, and in the mind of Man, Spirit, so as this latter way be understood Metaphorically: of his Father he was borne ever, of his Mother he is borne once, and in the mind of Man he is borne often. According to divine Nativity he hath a Father without a Mother: according to humane Nativity he hath a Mother without a Father: and according to his spiritual Nativity he hath both Father and Mother, according to that saying of his, he that ⟨p. 270⟩doth my Fathers will, is my Father and my Mother.
Now concerning the Birth of Christ, we must know that hee is said to be borne three waies: Of his Father, and of his Mother, and in the minde of Man; of his Father hee is borne eternally, of his Mother temporally, in the minde of man spiritually: In Christ there are three things which haue Relation to his Natiuity, Deity, Flesh, and Spirit: of his Father, he is borne God, of his Mother, Flesh, and in the minde of Man, Spirit, so as this latter way be vnderstood Metaphorically: of his Father hee was borne euer, of his Mother he is borne once, and in the minde of Man he is borne often. According to diuine Natiuity he hath a Father without a Mother: according to humane Natiuity he hath a Mother without a Father: and according to his spirituall Natiuity hee hath both Father and Mother, according to that saying of his, he that ⟨p. 270⟩doth my Fathers will, is my Father and my Mother.
In the birth of Christ God was manifested in the flesh, 1. Tim. 3. 16. manifested I say three ways: as he was before three ways hid; first, from out of the bosom of his Father in whom he was covered: secondly, from under the shadows of the Law in which he was prefigured: thirdly, from the womb of his Mother in which he was formed.
In the birth of Christ God was manifested in the flesh, 1. Tim. 3. 16. manifested I say three waies: as he was before three waies hid; first, from out of the bosome of his Father in whom he was couered: secondly, from vnder the shadowes of the Law in which he was prefigured: thirdly, from the wombe of his Mother in which he was formed.
The effects of the Nativity of Christ were divers: for first, in respect of God himself, the effect was his glory, Luke 2. 14. The glory I say of his truth, wisdom, goodness, and Justice: secondly, in respect of godly men, the effect is, their Salvation, because he was borne to be a Prophet, Priest, and King, even to effect all things that might tend to their Salvation, Acts 4. 12. and in particular, peace was a special effect of his Manifestation in the flesh, Luke 2. 14. Peace I say above us with God, Peace within, with our own consciences, and peace about us with men and neighbours, and peace below us in respect of Satan and Hell, because we are delivered from their power and fury. What shall I say, he was borne into natural life, that we might be borne again into eternal life: thirdly, in respect of the wicked, the effect of his Birth was their Judgement: for he was borne for the falling of many in Israel, Luke 2. 34. and this is the condemnation of the world, that light is come into the world, and the world comprehended it not, Joh. 1. and that God should send his own Son to be the light, and yet men loved darkness more then light, Joh. 3. 19.
The effects of the Natiuity of Christ were diuers: for first, in respect of God himselfe, the effect was his glory, Luke 2. 14. The glory I say of his truth, wisedome, goodnesse, and Iustice: secondly, in respect of godly men, the effect is, their Saluation, because he was borne to be a Propher, Priest, and King, euen to effect all things that might tend to their Saluation, Acts 4. 12. and in particular, peace was a speciall effect of his Manifestation in the flesh, Luke 2. 14. Peace I say aboue vs with God, Peace within, with our owne consciences, and peace about vs with men and neighbours, and peace below vs in respect of Sathan and Hell, because we are deliuered from their power and furie. What shall I say, he was borne into naturall life, that we might be borne againe into eternall life: thirdly, in respect of the wicked, the effect of his Birth was their Iudgement: for he was borne for the falling of many in Israel,
The place where our Saviour was borne was Bethlehem, which howsoever it fell out by accident to be there in respect of the mother, which did not by any purpose of her own choose that place, yet indeed it was the place forespoken of by the Prophet, Mich. 5. 2. and was appointed of purpose by the Counsel and providence of God, that even hence the godly might be warned of the fulfilling of the promise made to David the Bethlemite, Luke 2. 4.
The place where our Sauiour was borne was Bethlehem, which howsoeuer it fell out by accident to be there in respect of the mother, which did not by any purpose of her owne choose that place, yet indeed it was the place forespoken of by the Prophet, Mich. 5. 2. and was appointed of purpose by the Counsell and prouidence of God, that euen hence the godly might bee warned of the fulfilling of the promise made to Dauid the Bethlemite, Luke 2. 4.
The time when he was borne, was the time agreeing with the prophetical Oracles, called the fullness of time, Gal 4. 4. The time when the Sceptre was departed from Judah, an Idumaean now sitting at the Sterne, Gen. 49. 10. A time when the Jewish Church and Common-wealth was brought so low, as there was ⟨p. 271⟩no help to be expected but from Heaven.
The time when he was borne, was the time agreeing with the propheticall Oracles, called the fulnesse of time, Gal 4. 4. The time when the Scepter was departed from Iudah, an Idumaean now sitting at the Sterne, Gen. 49. 10. A time when the Iewish Church and Common-wealth was brought so low, as there was ⟨p. 271⟩no helpe to be expected but from Heauen.
The entertainment he had at the time of his birth was very poor and mean, he was borne of a poor Mother, and he was borne so poor, that he might make us rich, 2 Cor. 8. and that he might thereby trample under his feet as vile that vain pride of worldly men, that so much brag of their worldly glory, and nobility of their birth. And when he might not have a place in the Inn, he was not ashamed to lye in a Manger, that by choosing the weak things of this world, he might confound the mighty, and might prepare a place for us, and many Mansions in his Fathers house.
The entertainment hee had at the time of his birth was very poore and meane, he was borne of a poore Mother, and hee was borne so poore, that he might make vs rich, 2 Cor. 8. and that he might thereby trample vnder his feet as vile that vaine pride of wordly men, that so much bragge of their worldly glory, and nobility of their birth. And when he might not haue a place in the Inne, hee was not ashamed to lye in a Manger, that by choosing the weake things of this world, he might confound the mighty, and might prepare a place for vs, and many Mansions in his Fathers house.
In the manifestation of the Nativity of Christ God showed marvellous wisdom, who to show himself to be no respectre of persons, and that he brought this light into the world for all sorts of men: He showed it both to the Shepherds and to the wise men, the one Israelites, the other Gentiles, the one poor and simple, the other rich and wise, the one near, the other far of, both sorts to be joined upon the same corner stone. The same light appeared to Anna, a woman, as well as to Simeon, that just man, that it might be evident, that in him that was then borne there was neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, Jew nor Gentle, Male nor Female, Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11.
In the manifestation of the Natiuity of Christ God shewed maruellous wisdome, who to shew himselfe to be no respecter of persons, and that he brought this light into the world for all sorts of men: He shewed it both to the Shepherds and to the wise men, the one Israelites, the other Gentiles, the one poore and simple, the other rich and wise, the one neere, the other farre of, both sorts to be ioyned vpon the same corner stone. The same light appeared to Anna, a woman, as well as to Simeon, that iust man, that it might be euident, that in him that was then borne there was neither circumcision nor vncircumcision, Iew nor Gentle, Male nor Female, Gal. 3. 28. Col. 3. 11.
Thus of his birth in general, his birth of a Virgin follows. Now that he was born of a Virgin is evidently proved, not only by the History of the Gospel, but by the Prophecy of God himself in Paradise, when he said, The seed of the woman should break the Serpents head, Gen. 3. 15. And by the prophecy of Jacob the Patriarch, Gen. 49. 10. Where Christ is named Shiloh, that is, the Son of his Secundines, not the Son of his loins; now the Secundines belong to the Nature of the woman, not to the man: and by the Prophecy of Isaiah, who said, Behold, a Virgin shall conceive, Isaiah 7. 14. And it was prefigured by the stone cut out of the Mountain without any hands, Dan. 2. And it was published by the Angel Gabriel, Luk. 1. 31. The reasons why he was borne of a woman without a man have been showed before. It is a work most wonderful: He is borne in the arms of a woman, that himself bears up the whole world in the hand of his power.
Thus of his birth in generall, his birth of a Virgin followes. Now that he was born of a Virgin is euidently proued, not only by the History of the Gospell, but by the Prophesie of God himselfe in Paradise, when he said, The seede of the woman should breake the Serpents head, Gen. 3. 15. And by the prophesie of Iacob the Patriarke, Gen. 49. 10. Where Christ is named Shiloh, that is, the Sonne of his Secundines, not the Sonne of his loynes; now the Secundines belong to the Nature of the woman, not to the man: and by the Prophesie of Esay, who said, Behold, a Virgin shall conceiue, Esay 7. 14. And it was prefigured by the stone cut out of the Mountaine without any hands, Dan. 2. And it was published by the Angell Gabriel, Luk. 1. 31. The reasons why hee was borne of a woman without a man haue beene shewed before. It is a worke most wonderfull: He is borne in the armes of a woman, that himselfe beares vp the whole world in the hand of his power.
Men hath been produced four ways: First, without either man or woman, as Adam was. 2. Without woman, as Eve was. 3. Without man, as Christ was. 4. With man and woman, as all other men were.
Men hath beene produced foure wayes: First, without either man or woman, as Adam was. 2. Without woman, as Eue was. 3. Without man, as Christ was. 4. With man and woman, as all other men were.
Christ was to the Virgin a Son and her first borne. He was called her first borne, not because she had any sons afterwards, but because he was borne first, though he were her only Sonne. Christs brethren were his Kinsmen; nor doth the term first borne import any following, for the first borne in Law were so called before they knew whether they should have a second child; and it is a godly profession of Divines in all ages, that she was a Virgin before birth, and in the birth, and after the birth: though this latter be no Article of faith or principle of Religion.
Christ was to the Virgin a Sonne and her first borne. Hee was called her first borne, not because she had any sonnes afterwards, but because he was borne first, though he were her onely Sonne. Christs brethren were his Kinsmen; nor doth the terme first borne import any following, for the first borne in Law were so called before they knew whether they should haue a second childe; and it is a godly profession of Diuines in all ages, that she was a Virgin before birth, and in the birth, and after the birth: though this latter be no Article of faith or principle of Religion.
The Bread of Life was borne in the house of bread, and the most fruit-bearing Nativity was performed in Bethlehem, Ephratah, (.i.) In a most fruitful place, and he was borne in a strange place, as he might bring us banished men into our true Country.
The Bread of Life was borne in the house of bread, and the most fruit-bearing Natiuity was performed in Bethlehem, Ephratah, (.i.) In a most fruitfull place, and he was borne in a strange place, as he might bring vs banished men into our true Country.
To conclude, the Birth of Christ was both ordinary and wonderful: It was ordinary, that he was carried in the womb of his Mother the ordinary time, and was brought forth at the ordinary time: but it was wonderful both in respect of the signs that fell out about the time of it, and most of all, that his Mother was a Virgin. The signs were very miraculous, as the rising of the Star in the East, the Angelical Music in the Air, and the great Light, and the publication of it by Angels. Yea, the signs were very strange among the Gentiles: for a public voice was heard, the great God is now about to be borne. At Rome was the likeness of a woman carrying a child in her arms seen about the Sun. And when Augustus asked Sibilla about a Comet was then seen: she answered, This Child is greater then thou, adore thou him: many such strange things are observed by Writers.
To conclude, the Birth of Christ was both ordinary and wonderfull: It was ordinary, that he was carried in the wombe of his Mother the ordinary time, and was brought forth at the ordinary time: but it was wonderfull both in respect of the signes that fell out about the time of it, and most of all, that his Mother was a Virgin. The signes were very miraculous, as the rising of the Star in the East, the Angelicall Musicke in the Ayre, and the great Light, and the publication of it by Angels. Yea, the signes were very strange among the Gentiles: for a publike voice was heard, the great God is now about to be borne. At Rome was the likenesse of a woman carrying a childe in her armes seene about the Sunne. And when Augustus asked Sibilla about a Comet was then seene: she answered, This Childe is greater then thou, adore thou him: many such strange things are obserued by Writers.
The end of the third Article.
ISAIAH 53. 4. First part of the Verse. He suffered under Pontius Pilate.
ESAY 53. 4. First part of the Verse. He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate.
Hitherto of the Title and Incarnation of our Redeemer: his Humiliation follows, in the next Articles: where the Creed proceeds in this order. First his abasement is set down in the sum or general consideration of it, in these words, He suffered under Pontius Pilate. Then is mentioned divers of the chief parts of his sufferings, viz. He was crucified, dead, and buried, and descended into Hell. In the sum of all, he shows what befell him, and when: what befell him, and so he suffered, meaning that he was put to endure misery: and when he suffered, and that was under▪ Pontius Pilate: and that time is especially mentioned for two Reasons: 1. Because the chiefest parts of his sufferings then fell out. 2. Because thereby the Christian Churches have occasion to observe the fulfilling of the old Prophecies at the time of Christs coming, and suffering in the flesh: for Jacob said, that Shiloh must come when the Sceptre was departed from Judah, Gen. 49. And the Prophet Isaiah ⟨p. 302⟩said, that the bud or branch should arise and grow, when the tree of Jesse and his house was so wasted, as nothing was left but the bare stock or root, Isaiah 11. 1. This was now fulfilled, for Pontius Pilate was Governor of Judah under the Roman Emperor, and none of the Tribe or Stock of David bare any office of government in that State: God is true in his words, and when the Church seems to be most afflicted and forlorn, God can make salvation to appear: and therefore in the most desperate afflictions we should learn to trust upon God, who will not forsake his people for ever: and yet another thing may be noted too, and that is, that when God did send his Son to deliver his people, it was not to deliver them from temporal distress, but to bring them spiritual and eternal salvation, and yet they had no cause to complain. So it may be with us: it is enough in desperate distresses, if God will do good to our souls, though he do not for the time release or free our bodies. Thus of that circumstance of the time, only for the titles here given to this Ruler, know that Pilate was his proper name, and Pontius he is called of the place where he was borne, which was Pontia, an Island that lay near to Italy: This man was Governor after Valerius Cratus, and come into his place about eight years before Christ died upon the Cross.
HItherto of the Title and Incarnation of our Redeemer: his Humiliation followes, in the next Articles: where the Creed proceeds in this order. First his abasement is set down in the summe or generall consideration of it, in these words, He suffered vnder Pontius Pilate. Then is mentioned diuers of the chiefe parts of his sufferings, viz. He was crucified, dead, and buried, and descended into Hell. In the summe of all, hee shewes what befell him, and when: what befell him, and so he suffered, meaning that he was put to endure misery: and when he suffered, and that was vnder Pontius Pilate: and that time is especially mentioned for two Reasons: 1. Because the chiefest parts of his sufferings then fell out. 2. Because thereby the Christian Churches haue occasion to obserue the fulfilling of the old Prophecies at the time of Christs comming, and suffering in the flesh: for Iacob said, that Shiloh must come when the Scepter was departed from Iudah,
