A69028:1631
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.
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,