The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

Now for the substance of the Story: the things I shall observe for the letter of it, either concern the estate of godly men in outward things, or the demonstration of the Divinity of Christ. About the estate of godly men, I note three things. First, that such as are dear unto God, and sometimes of great place in the Church, may before a time exposed to great wants in outward things. As here the Apostles that were called to be conquerors and commanders of the world, are fain to go a fishing to get them meat to sustain their lives. Secondly, that men may take great pains in a lawful calling, and yet many times get little or nothing: as here they are a fishing all night, and can catch nothing. Thirdly, that great wants and disappointments in the ordinary means of life, do sometimes forerun extraordinary supplies from God. They that can catch no fish in the Sea, find fish broiling on the Land. The Divinity of Christ was demonstrated three ways, by all which they might plainly see, he had lost none of his power by death. First, that by his direction they catch a great draught of fish, that could themselves catch nothing. Secondly, that the net was not broken, though it dragged great fishes to the number of an hundred fifty & three. The third was, that on the shore was miraculously provided a fire with fish broiling on it.

Now for the substance of the Storie: the things I shall obserue for the letter of it, either concerne the estate of godly men in outward things, or the demonstration of the Diuinitie of Christ. About the estate of godly men, I note three things. First, that such as are deare vnto God, and sometimes of great place in the Church, may befor a time exposed to great wants in outward things. As here the Apostles that were called to be conquerors and commanders of the world, are faine to goe a fishing to get them meat to sustaine their liues. Secondly, that men may take great paines in a lawfull calling, and yet many times get little or nothing: as here they are a fishing all night, and can catch nothing. Thirdly, that great wants and disappointments in the ordinarie meanes of life, doe sometimes forerume extraordinarie supplies from God. They that can catch no fish in the Sea, finde fish broyling on the Land. The Diuinitie of Christ was demonstrated three waies, by all which they might plainly see, he had lost none of his power by death. First, that by his direction they catch a great draught of fish, that could themselues catch nothing. Secondly, that the net was not broken, though it dragged great fishes to the number of an hundred fiftie & three. The third was, that on the shore was miraculously prouided a fire with fish broyling on it.