A69028:2462

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

Name: The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…
Author: Nicholas Byfield

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.

Nicholas Byfield 1579–1622London: printed by G.M. for Philemon Stephens and Christopher Meredith, 1626

[8], 563 [i.e. 535], [23] p. · 212k words · STC 4233.3 · ESTC S113882

Title page: Internet Archive scan of the Early English Books microfilm (opens the Internet Archive in a new tab)

THE CREED. › Article 7 › From thence he shall come to judge both quick and dead. › Ob. But how can this be just, that they should be punished for ever…: Ob. But how can this be just, that they should be punished for ever, that have sinned b…THE CREEDE. › Article 7 › From thence he shall come to iudge both quicke and dead. › Ob. But how can this be iust, that they should be punished for euer…: Ob. But how can this be iust, that they should be punished for euer, that haue sinned b…

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.

[ Earlier:2459–2474 of 2,700

:2459p. 519–520

For the first, it is clear by Scripture, that the trial shall be about the works of all men. They shall be examined about their works, and the proceeding shall be according to their works, as these and other Scriptures show, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 2. 6. If any say, that then it seems faith shall not be enquired after: I answer, that it shall, as is plain, 1 Pet. 1. 7. for by their works their faith shall be proved to the world; and faith it self is one of the highest works of a true Christian, Joh. 6. 29. If any say further, that hereby is imported, that the godly shall then be justified by their works, and be saved for their works sake: I answer, that they shall be judged then according to their works, not for their works; God of his free grace will give reward according to their works, but not for their works, nor will their works then justify them, otherwise then as they declare them to be justified by Christ, and truly righteous in themselves. It may be further objected, that this may discourage poor Christians, ⟨p. 520⟩and all such as have not power to do good works: I answer, that it is an error to think, that there are no good works but giving of alms: There are good works in the obedience of every one of Gods commandments. Works of piety, and the works of our particular callings, are good works, as well as works of mercy: and the works of spiritual mercy a poor man may do as well as a rich man.

For the first, it is cleare by Scripture, that the triall shall be about the workes of all men. They shall be examined about their workes, and the proceding shall be according to their workes, as these and other Scriptures shew, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 2. 6. If any say, that then it seemes faith shall not bee enquired after: I answer, that it shall, as is plaine, 1 Pet. 1. 7

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