A69028:1891
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.
The fourth thing in the Story is the consequent of the Judgement, or what followed immediately upon the sentence, and that was most vile usage by the Soldiers of the Governor: for they took him into the common Hall, and gathered unto him the whole band, and they stripped him, and put on a Scarlet Robe, and a Crown of Thorns upon his head, and a Reed in his right hand, and bowed the knee, and mocked him, saying, Hail King of the Jews, and spit up-upon him, and smote him on the head with the Reed; and after they had mocked him, they took off the Scarlet Robe, and put his own raiment on him, Matth. 27. 27. to 32. Now whereas Saint John, Chap. 19. 1, 2, 3. mentioneth that divers of these things were done before the sentence, to move the people to pity, we may suppose that they were twice done, once by Pilates commandment before sentence, and then by the profane rage and storm of the Soldiers after sentence: howsoever, to us it is sufficient to know they were done, and why he endured such things we should chiefly inquire.
The fourth thing in the Story is the consequent of the Iudgement, or what followed immediatly vpon the sentence, and that was most vile vsage by the Souldiers of the Gouernour: for they tooke him into the common Hall, and gathered vnto him the whole band, and they stripped him, and put on a Scarlet Robe, and a Crowne of Thornes vpon his head, and a Reed in his righthand, and bowed the knee, and mocked him, saying, Haile King of the Iewes, and spit vp-vpon him, and smote him on the head with the Reed; and after they had mocked him, they tooke off the Scarlet Robe, and put his owne rayment on him, Matth. 27. 27. to 32. Now whereas Saint Iohn, Chap. 19. 1, 2, 3. mentioneth that diuers of these things were done before the sentence, to moue the people to pitie, we may suppose that they were twice done, once by Pilates commandement before sentence, and then by the prophane rage and storme of the Souldiers after sentence: howsoeuer, to vs it is sufficient to know they were done, and why hee endured such things wee should chiefly inquire.
Now out of this part of the Story some things may be learned in general, and somethings from the signification of some special things here mentioned.
Now out of this part of the Story some things may be learned in generall, and somethings from the signification of some speciall things here mentioned.
In general we must inquire after the Reason of two things.
In generall wee must inquire after the Reason of two things.
1. Why he is here showed in the habit of a King, and scorned by the representation of the ornaments & reverence of a King. He is crowned, and clothed with a Robe, and a Reed put into his hand like a Sceptre, and saluted as a King, all in scorn. Consider first, that God did by his special providence acknowledge the regal dignity of his Son, even in the middest of his greatest abasement: that which Pilate and the Soldiers did in scorn, God did in earnest; for all these things are ensigns of his ⟨p. 380⟩Kingdom. Secondly, hence we may gather how senselessly and scornfully the men of this world do judge of the Kingdom and glory of Jesus Christ. It is so far removed out of their sense and judgement, that they account it but foolishness and scorn, yea as lies, being only capable of that glory can run into their senses. Especially it is impossible for the men of this world to see the glory of Christs Kingdom in the days of tribulation and affliction. And therefore Christians should be content with the excellency of their estate, though the world will not acknowledge their glory as the sons of God. Thirdly, herein he pays for our affectation of Gods own Kingdom, when in Paradise our hearts would not be content unless they were gods, or like the Almighty in Majesty. Fourthly, hereby he merited for us an eternal kingdom, and made us Princes and Kings before God, Revel. 1. 6.
1. Why he is here shewed in the habit of a King, and scorned by the representation of the ornaments & reuerence of a King. He is crowned, and clothed with a Robe, and a Reed put into his hand like a Scepter, and saluted as a King, all in scorne. Consider first, that God did by his speciall prouidence acknowledge the regall dignity of his Sonne, euen in the middest of his greatest abasement: that which Pilate and the Souldiers did in scorne, God did in earnest; for all these things are ensignes of his ⟨p. 380⟩
2. Why did he suffer these strange indignities, as to be stripped of his clothes, spit upon, and beaten on the head, and all so publicly? Answ. First, that hereby he might bear that ignominy and shameful disgrace, and loathing, which was due unto us for our sins: he herein carries our filth, and suffers that abomination was due to us, and so satisfies for the many and base injuries which we have done to God, and to his holy Name. Secondly, that he might here leave us an ensample to learn of him, and so might be armed and fenced against all the scorns and base usages we may find in the world, especially when wicked men do therefore deal shamefully with us, because abhor it, that we should profess the hope and expectation of a kingdom from God in heaven. We should never account any indignity strange, that have had a Saviour that suffered so unspeakable mean and base usage.
2. Why did he suffer these strange indignities, as to be stripped of his cloathes, spit vpon, and beaten on the head, and all so publikely? Answ. First, that hereby he might beare that ignominie and shamefull disgrace, and loathing, which was due vnto vs for our sinnes: hee herein carries our filth, and suffers that abomination was due to vs, and so satisfies for the many and base iniuries which wee haue done to God, and to his holy Name. Secondly, that he might here leaue vs an ensample to learne of him, and so might be armed and fenced against all the scornes and base vsages we may finde in the world, especially when wicked men doe therefore deale shamefully with vs, because abhorre it, that we should professe the hope and expectation of a kingdome from God in heauen. Wee should neuer account any indignity strange, that haue had a Sauiour that suffered so vnspeakable meane and base vsage.
Thus in general: Now almost every one of these particular things done to Jesus, have their special use and signification: These things were done in a Mystery: as
Thus in generall: Now almost euery one of these particular things done to Iesus, haue their speciall vse and signification: These things were done in a Mysterie: as
1. He is stripped of his clothes, that thereby he might expiate ⟨p. 381⟩our fall in Adam, that by sinning lost our garments of original Righteousness.
1. He is stripped of his cloathes, that thereby he might expiate ⟨p. 381⟩our fall in Adam, that by sinning lost our garments of originall Righteousnesse.
2. They put upon him a Scarlet Robe, that thereby it might appear that he was that excellent Warrior, so lively foretold and described, Isaiah 63. 1, to 7.
2. They put vpon him a Scarlet Robe, that thereby it might appeare that he was that excellent Warriour, so liuely foretold and described, Esay 63. 1, to 7.
3. He was crowned with Thorns, that thereby he might merit for us a crown of glory in heaven; and that he might take upon him our cares, and bear that malediction which God had laid upon us in our bodily labours, and that he might thereby signify that he should make unto himself a royal and divine people, that should compass about when he spake in the name of the Lord. For out of men that were like Briers and Thorns, for injustice and hurtfulness, doth he gather a People, which in the public assemblies do compass him about, in the honour of his Name, and public profession of his Truth, as the King and Lord of heaven and earth.
3. He was crowned with Thornes, that thereby hee might merit for vs a crowne of glory in heauen; and that hee might take vpon him our cares, and beare that malediction which God had laid vpon vs in our bodily labours, and that he might thereby signifie that he should make vnto himselfe a royal and diuine people, that should compasse about when he spake in the name of the Lord. For out of men that were like Briers and Thorns, for iniustice and hurtfulnesse, doth he gather a People, which in the publike assemblies do compasse him about, in the honour of his Name, and publike profession of his Truth, as the King and Lord of heauen and earth.
4. He had a Reed in his hand as a Sceptre, to signify that it was he that should break the old Serpents head: for they write that a Reed is mortiferous to Serpents: and therefore now that he was in the Chase of the old Dragon, he takes a Reed into his hand, that we might be delivered from the power of that Serpent.
4. He had a Reed in his hand as a Scepter, to signifie that it was he that should breake the old Serpents head: for they write that a Reed is mortiferous to Serpents: and therefore now that he was in the Chase of the old Dragon, he takes a Reed into his hand, that wee might be deliuered from the power of that Serpent.
5. That face of his, that was to be reverenced of Angels, was dishonoured with the loath some spittle of these base wretches, that thereby he might cleanse the face of our souls (once made in the likeness of God) from the filth and loathsome foulness that temptations and sins had left upon them.
5. That face of his, that was to be reuerenced of Angels, was dishonoured with the loath some spittle of these base wretches, that thereby he might cleanse the face of our soules (once made in the likenesse of God) from the filth and loathsome foulenesse that temptations and sinnes had left vpon them.
6. They took off his purple garment, whereby was signified that his kingdom of grace should be laid down, and put off.
6. They tooke off his purple garment, whereby was signified that his kingdome of grace should be laid downe, and put off.
7. His own garments were put upon him again, to signify that as he clothed his own body, so should we be clothed with his own garments of Righteousness, and life, and immortality.
7. His owne garments were put vpon him againe, to signifie that as he clothed his owne body, so should we be clothed with his owne garments of Righteousnesse, and life, and immortalitie.
1 COR. 2. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
1 COR. 2. 2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, saue Iesus Christ, and him crucified.
Hitherto of the Arraignment of Christ. The parts of his Passion after his Arraignment follow in the Creed: and so his crucifying is the first to be considered of. And about the crucifying of our Saviour six things are memorable in the story.
HItherto of the Arraignment of Christ. The parts of his Passion after his Arraignment follow in the Creed: and so his crucifying is the first to be considered of. And about the crucifying of our Sauiour six things are memorable in the storie.
