A69028:1651
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 4 › TenetTHE CREEDE. › Article 4 › Tenet
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.
3. We may hence gather how hateful sin is, that can make God suffer, that can abase so fearfully (as you shall hear afterwards) the very Son of God, who yet did no sin, but was only a surety (as is to be showed) yea it makes him suffer from his own natural Father: so vile a thing is sin, and so just is God. What can be more senseless than the heart of man, that from hence doth not clearly see the ugly and monstrous nature of sin, and the most unavoidable justice of God, in punishing sin? Doth Christ suffer, and from his own Father, and is it possible any of us should be so bewitched as to go on in sin, and yet think there is such mercy in God as to spare him, though he forsake not his evil ways?
3. We may hence gather how hatefull sinne is, that can make God suffer, that can abase so fearefully (as you shall heare afterwards) the very Sonne of God, who yet did no sinne, but was only a surety (as is to be shewed) yea it makes him suffer from his owne naturall Father: so vile a thing is sin, and so iust is God. What can be more senselesse than the heart of man, that from hence doth not clearely see the vgly and monstrous nature of sinne, and the most vnauoidable iustice of God, in punishing sinne? Doth Christ suffer, and from his owne Father, and is it possible any of vs should be so bewitched as to go on in sinne, and yet think there is such mercy in God as to spare him, though he forsake not his euill wayes?
4. Is Gods Son thus abased for us, and do not we pity him? Are not our stony hearts melted with compassion towards him? Oh why do we not more mourn for him suffering, than we would for our own and only sons? This we should do, and must never have the praise of good Nature, till we can be more affected with his abasement, that was so high and excellent in his own Person.
4. Is Gods Sonne thus abased for vs, and doe not wee pitie him? Are not our stony hearts melted with compassion towards him? Oh why doe we not more mourne for him suffering, than we would for our owne and only sonnes? This wee should doe, and must neuer haue the praise of good Nature, till we can be more affected with his abasement, that was so high and excellent in his owne Person.