A69028:1817
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.
1. Whereas he was examined both of his doctrine and his Disciples, he answers to the point of his doctrine, but saith nothing of his Disciples, and yet he might have answered that one of them betrayed him, and another denied him, and the rest ran away from him: To teach us that no extremity befalling our selves, should make us discover the weaknesses of others to the Enemies of Religion, when it may any way do hurt to the honour of the profession of Religion. And again, we may learn to be patient under the aspersion of Schism, & not to be unquiet at it. Our Saviour was examined about his Disciples, upon pretence that he had made a Schism in the Church, by admitting so many followers, and such concourse of people to hear him, with intimation that he might intend sedition in the State: Now to all this he gives no answer, ⟨p. 361⟩but rests satisfied, as knowing that the consciences of his adversaries were persuaded otherwise of him.
1. Whereas he was examined both of his doctrine and his Disciples, he answers to the point of his doctrine, but saith nothing of his Disciples, and yet he might haue answered that one of them betrayed him, and another denied him, and the rest ranne away from him: To teach vs that no extremity befalling our selues, should make vs discouer the weaknesses of others to the Enemies of Religion, when it may any way doe hurt to the honour of the profession of Religion. And againe, we may learne to be patient vnder the aspersion of Schisme, & not to be vnquiet at it. Our Sauiour was examined about his Disciples, vpon pretence that he had made a Schisme in the Church, by admitting so many followers, and such concourse of people to heare him, with intimation that he might intend sedition in the State: Now to all this he giues no answer, ⟨p. 361⟩but rests satisfied, as knowing that the consciences of his aduersaries were perswaded otherwise of him.
2. When he answers about his doctrine, it is in general, and sparingly, to teach us wisdom in evil times, and to learn how to bridle our tongues, when we speak before men in authority, especially if they be enemies to Religion.