A69028:199
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 1 › I Believe.THE CREEDE. › Article 1 › I Beleeue.
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.
Secondly, men must carefully avoid all the lets of faith, and mark what keeps them from believing: Whether it be any beloved sin, or some venomous objections, or the cares of the world, and the fond excuses that belong thereunto, or carnal wisdom and self conceitedness in hearing the Word, or procrastination, or corrupt opinions, about the possibility or necessity of believing, or the like: and in particular some Christians must be warned of that strange impediment, namely, when men judge themselves unworthy of Eternal life, and so put off the promises of God through unbelief.
Secondly, men must carefully auoid all the lets of faith, and marke what keepes them from beleeuing: Whether it bee any beloued sinne, or some venomous obiections, or the cares of the world, and the fond excuses that belong thereunto, or carnall wisedome and selfe conceitednesse in hearing the Word, or procrastination, or corrupt opinions, about the possibility or necessity of beleeuing, or the like: and in particular some Christians must bee warned of that strange impediment, namely, when men iudge themselues vnworthy of Eternall life, and so put off the promises of God through vnbeliefe.
Thirdly, men must attend upon the means of begetting Faith, they must compel upon themselves the care thereof: They must pray God to give them the spirit of Faith, and to help their unbelief: They must cry to God with tears for this thing, Mark 9. 24. and withal, they must attend to the Word of Faith, which is the Gospel, so waiting upon the public Ministry, as they study the promises of God exactly, and seek resolution of their doubts, and direction about Faith in private.
Thirdly, men must attend vpon the meanes of begetting Faith, they must compell vpon themselues the care thereof: They must pray God to giue them the spirit of Faith, and to helpe their vnbeliefe: They must cry to God with teares for this thing, Marke 9. 24. and withall, they must attend to the Word of Faith, which is the Gospel, so waiting vpon the publike Ministerie, as they studie the promises of God exactly, and seeke resolution of their doubts, and direction about Faith in priuate.