A69028:2010
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.
For the first: The person converted was one of the two Thieves: whence we may gather, That notorious malefactors may repent and be saved: for God is abundant in mercy, and the blood of Christ is of unspeakable value: which as it should teach us to admire Gods goodness, so it should keep us from despairing of any, though their course be never so vile, so long as God continues the day of his grace, and prolongs his patience towards them.
For the first: The person conuerted was one of the two Theeues: whence we may gather, That notorious malefactors may repent and be saued: for God is abundant in mercie, and the bloud of Christ is of vnspeakable value: which as it should teach vs to admire Gods goodnesse, so it should keepe vs from despairing of any, though their course be neuer so vile, so long as God continues the day of his grace, and prolongs his patience towards them.
For the second: He was converted at his last end, even when he was ready to die upon the Cross. I suppose divers that hear but this point named, will hence gather that men may repent them at their latter end, even at the last gasp. It is true that a man may be saved that repents not before his end: This Thief was saved; and they that went into the Vineyard at the eleventh hour: and God hath promised to receive the sinner in what day soever he shall return and repent, Mat. 20. Ezek. 18. But yet lest men should abuse this example to confirm themselves in that most dangerous procrastination, consider with me four things.
For the second: He was conuerted at his last end, euen when he was ready to die vpon the Crosse. I suppose diuers that heare but this point named, will hence gather that men may repent them at their latter end, euen at the last gaspe. It is true that a man may be saued that repents not before his end: This Theefe was saued; and they that went into the Vineyard at the eleuenth houre: and God hath promised to receiue the sinner in what day soeuer he shall returne and repent,