A69028:2138
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 opening of the graves signified, that Christs death had vanquished Death, and that it should not have power to hold the body of the Saints in the grave long; and withal, it told the Jews aforehand, that it would be in vain for them to roll great stones upon Christs grave, for he would rise again, do they what they could. It is said that the dead bodies arose after the Resurrection of Christ, which hath ⟨p. 433⟩made some Divines think, that the graves were not opened till after the Resurrection, though Saint Matthew reckons this thing together with the rest of the Miracles that concerned Christs death.
The opening of the graues signified, that Christs death had vanquished Death, and that it should not haue power to hold the body of the Saints in the graue long; and withall, it told the Iewes aforehand, that it would be in vaine for them to roule great stones vpon Christs graue, for he would rise againe, doe they what they could. It is said that the dead bodies arose after the Resurrection of Christ, which hath ⟨p. 433⟩made some Diuines thinke, that the graues were not opened till after the Resurrection, though Saint Matthew reckons this thing together with the rest of the Miracles that concerned Christs death.
Thus of the Testimony Divine.
Thus of the Testimony Diuine.
The Humane Testimony, was the Testimony of the Roman Centurion, and the Soldiers with him, who feared and glorified God, and said, Of a truth this was the Son of God: and the multitude that came to the execution, beholding the things that were done, smote their breasts and returned, Matth. 27. 54. Mark. 15. 19. Luke 23. 47, 48. And this Testimony shows,
The Humane Testimony, was the Testimony of the Roman Centurion, and the Souldiers with him, who feared and glorified God, and said, Of a truth this was the Sonne of God: and the multitude that came to the execution, beholding the things that were done, smote their breasts and returned, Matth. 27. 54. Mark. 15. 19. Luke 23. 47, 48. And this Testimonie shewes,
1. The marvellous senselessness of the Priests and learned men, and great men of the Jews: that these men that were Pagans, and these poor Plebeians, should be so affected with fear and wonder, and give such an honourable testimony to the innocency and Divinity of Christ, when these great Pillars of the Church are so obstinately averse, and hostily minded, it shows that they were prodigiously sinful and hard hearted; and withal it shows what a plague a hard heart is, whereso ever it is found, though in learned or great men. Though God shake the earth, tear the Rocks, open the graves, and though he make strangers to confess his glory, yet they are the same men still.
1. The maruellous senselesnesse of the Priests and learned men, and great men of the Iewes: that these men that were Pagans, and these poore Plebeians, should be so affected with feare and wonder, and giue such an honourable testimony to the innocencie and Diuinity of Christ, when these great Pillars of the Church are so obstinately auerse, and hostily minded, it shewes that they were prodigiously sinfull and hard hearted; and withall it shewes what a plague a hard heart is, whereso euer it is found, though in learned or great men. Though God shake the earth, teare the Rockes, open the graues, and though he make strangers to confesse his glory, yet they are the same men still.
2. That it is easy with Christ to defend his own credit and cause even in the hardest times: though Judas betray him, Peter deny him, and the rest of the Disciples fly from him, yet he can make a Centurion, a Soldier, a Pagan, to do the work his Disciples should have done. He can glorify himself by the mouth of Babes and Sucklings, if need be, Psal. 8. 2.
2. That it is easie with Christ to defend his owne credit and cause euen in the hardest times: though Iudas betray him, Peter deny him, and the rest of the Disciples flie from him, yet he can make a Centurion, a Souldier, a Pagan, to doe the worke his Disciples should haue done. Hee can glorifie himselfe by the mouth of Babes and Sucklings, if need be, Psal. 8. 2.
ACT. 13. 29. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and put him in a sepulchre.
ACT. 13. 29. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they tooke him downe from the tree, and put him in a sepulchre.
That Christ was buried, is manifest by the Story of the Evangelists, and is a part of the Creed, not doubted of by any amongst us. Concerning his burial I propound these things to be considered.
THat Christ was buried, is manifest by the Storie of the Euangelists, and is a part of the Creed, not doubted of by any amongst vs. Concerning his buriall I propound these things to be considered.
1. The reasons why it was needful Christ should be buried. 2. The place where he was buried. 3. The persons by whom he was buried. 4. The manner how he was buried. 5. The time how long he continued in the grave.
1. The reasons why it was needfull Christ should be buried. 2. The place where he was buried. 3. The persons by whom he was buried. 4. The manner how he was buried. 5. The time how long he continued in the graue.
Our Saviours body was buried for these Reasons.
Our Sauiours bodie was buried for these Reasons.
1. That the Scripture might be fulfilled that had prophesied of it: see Isaiah 53. 9.
1. That the Scripture might be fulfilled that had prophecied of it: see Esay 53. 9.
2. That it might appear he was truly dead.
2. That it might appeare he was truly dead.
3. That he might pursue and overcome death in his own cell or den.
3. That he might pursue and ouercome death in his owne cell or den.
4. That he might bury our sins with him; and for ever hide them from the sight of God.
4. That he might burie our sins with him; and for euer hide them from the sight of God.
5. That we being made partakers of the fruit of his burial, might be buried with him in respect of our sins. The immersion in the water of Baptism is a sign of this spiritual burial with Christ, Rom. 6. 4. Col. 2. 12.
5. That we being made partakers of the fruit of his buriall, might be buried with him in respect of our sins. The immersion in the water of Baptisme is a signe of this spirituall buriall with Christ, Rom. 6. 4. Col. 2. 12.
6. That he might sanctify our burial to us, and so expel from us that horror and fear we might conceive about our lying in the grave, and so confirm us in the hope of our Resurrection.
6. That he might sanctifie our buriall to vs, and so expell from vs that horror and feare we might conceiue about our lying in the graue, and so confirme vs in the hope of our Resurrection.
