A69028:1887
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 Action, Pilate pronounceth our Saviour innocent, by using solemnly the Ceremony of washing his hands, and expoundeth his meaning, thereby to signify, that he was innocent, and did not consent to our Saviours death. It seems that he had borrowed this Ceremony from the Jews, who ⟨p. 377⟩had an ancient use of it in some cases, as appears Deut. 21. 6. and did thereby think the more to affect them with remorse, see Psal. 26. 6. Though this Ceremony were not necessary, yet Judges and public Officers of State should have clean hands, hands (I say) clean from bribes and corruption, and hearts fearing God, and hating covetousness: and so all solemn service in Piety, as well as Justice, requires the washing of the hands in innocency, Psal. 26. 6. for if the Civill seat of Justice must not be compassed but with integrity of heart and life, much less should we dare to compass Gods Altar, unless we have washed our hands in true innocency. But further observe what poor shifts a troubled and ill conscience flies to. What will it justify Pilate, that he washeth his hands, and yet by and by do that which himself condemns? The baseness of his mind cannot be scoured off, with the water on his fingers. An ill conscience is often attended with a senseless mind. To conclude, Note one fearful thing that fell out upon this Action: Pilate said, I am innocent from the blood of this man: Immediately the mad Jews shout it out, that for his blood, let it light upon them and their children, Matth. 27. 25. How suddenly did the Judge of the world take up this Imprecation; He ratified it in heaven: This direful curse fell upon them, and yet lieth upon them to this day, as a standing monument to warn all cursing Caitiffs, such as wish death and damnation or desperate diseases to themselves or others, God may say Amen before they be aware.
In Action, Pilate pronounceth our Sauiour innocent, by vsing solemnly the Ceremony of washing his hands, and expoundeth his meaning, thereby to signifie, that he was innocent, and did not consent to our Sauiours death. It seemes that he had borrowed this Ceremony from the Iewes, who