A69028:2398
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.
1. That God hath precisely set and appointed the time and day when he will judge the world by Christ: this appears by Scripture, Act. 17. 31. Heb. 9. 27. and God will have this known, both for the consolation of his servants, that they may have hope in their afflictions, and to leave the wicked without excuse, that being warned will not repent, and to drive out of the godly security, that so they may keep themselves in the good way, and walk in the fear of God, watching and providing for that day.
1. That God hath precisely set and appointed the time and day when he will iudge the world by Christ: this appeares by Scripture, Act. 17. 31. Heb. 9. 27. and God will haue this knowne, both for the consolation of his seruants, that they may haue hope in their afflictions, and to leaue the wicked without excuse, that being warned will not repent, and to driue out of the godly securitie, that so they may keepe themselues in the good way, and walke in the feare of God, watching and prouiding for that day.
2. That this Judgement day shall be in the end of the world, and not before: & therefore it is said in Scripture, it shall be at the last day. Quest. But why doth God put off the general Judgment so long, & not call men to an account till after some thousands of years after some of them died? Answ. First, God hath unsearchable respects of his own glory, in dispatching by his providence the great business that concerns the rising or alteration of things in the state of mankind: As in disposing of the Monarchies of the world, the kingdom of Antichrist raised, and ruined, the rejection and recalling of the Jews, and such like, which will not be effected till the day which he hath appointed for the coming of Christ. Secondly, it is put off so long, that the elect may be all gathered, it being Gods pleasure to gather them by ordinary means, so as the Just have a time to be borne, live, hear the word, fulfil their measure of work, &c. Thirdly, it is put off for the more effectual trial of the faith and patience