A69028:2097
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 4 › Dead.THE CREEDE. › Article 4 › Dead.
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.
3. He died willingly, not by compulsion, he laid down his life, for no man could take it from him, Joh. 10. 18. and that may appear by the Story, for Christ cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. Now men that lye a dying, languish, and their voice fails them, or at least grows weak: Again, it is said Christ laid his head aside, and then gave up the ghost; whereas other men first give up the ghost, and then their heads fall aside: and further, to show that he died when he listed, he was found dead sooner than other men that died on the Cross, which Pilate himself wondered at. Now this is for our great comfort that he died so willingly, for it both adds to the sufficiency of the propitiation in his death, and shows us the greatness of his tender love to us, and withal it should fire us to a holy resolution, with all willingness to do any thing he would have us, or suffer any thing for his sake.
3. He died willingly, not by compulsion, he laid downe his life, for no man could take it from him, Ioh. 10. 18. and that may appeare by the Story, for Christ cried with a loud voice, and gaue vp the ghost. Now men that lye a dying, languish, and their voice failes them, or at least growes weake: Againe, it is said Christ laid his head aside, and then gaue vp the ghost; whereas other men first giue vp the ghost, and then their heads fall aside: and further, to shew that he died when he listed, he was found dead sooner than other men that died on the Crosse, which Pilate himselfe wondered at. Now this is for our great comfort that he died so willingly, for it both addes to the sufficiencie of the propitiation in his death, and shewes vs the greatnesse of his tender loue to vs, and withall it should fire vs to a holy resolution, with all willingnesse to doe any thing he would haue vs, or suffer any thing for his sake.
4. He died most religiously, and his piety in his death is commended for his obedience to his Father, and for his care for his Mother, and for his love to his enemies, and for his devotion in respect of himself. His obedience to God his Father in his death is commended,