A69028:21
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.
But that both these courses may be held in popular teaching, is manifest, by the proofs before: and it is manifest, 1that if Divines for the profit of their hearers, would undertake solidly to set before the people the whole body of Theology, and show them at once all the choice things they are to believe concerning God or Christ, or the Creation, or the like, it cannot but in some respects be much more profitable, then to cleave only to the exposition of whole books of Scripture or particular portions: because by the former course the people may see altogether, that which by the other way they should hear but by piece and at several times, only as the Texts will give occasion. I observe not this to disgrace the godly course of preaching by Texts, but rather to show that both are needful: and as I conceive, it were much to be desired; That Divines every where would teach the people the whole frame and body of the Doctrine of godliness.
But that both these courses may bee held in popular teaching, is manifest, by the proofes before: and it is manifest, 1that if Diuines for the profit of their hearers, would vndertake solidly to set before the people the whole body of Theologie, and shew them at once all the choice things they are to beleeue concerning God or Christ, or the Creation, or the like, it cannot but in some respects be much more profitable, then to cleaue onely to the exposition of whole bookes of Scripture or particular portions: because by the former course the people may see altogether, that which by the other way they should heare but by peece and at seuerall times, onely as the Texts will giue occasion. I obserue not this to disgrace the godly course of preaching by Texts, but rather to shew that both are needfull: and as I conceiue, it were much to be desired; That Diuines euery where would teach the people the whole frame and body of the Doctrine of godlinesse.
- 1And both expedient.