A69028:2513
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. The delivery of Possession of eternal glory to the godly. 2. The detrusion of the wicked into Hell. 3. The creation of the new Heavens and new Earth. 4. The delivering up of the Kingdom of Christ into the hands of God the Father.
1. The deliuery of Possession of eternall glory to the godly. 2. The detrusion of the wicked into Hell. 3. The creation of the new Heauens and new Earth. 4. The deliuering vp of the Kingdome of Christ into the hands of God the Father.
For the first, after the sentence ended, the Elect shall be all taken up to heaven with Christ, there to reign with him in eternal bliss: where they shall presently be possest of four incomparable benefits: The first is the immediate vision of God, so as never man saw him in this world. If to live in the presence of great Princes on earth be such a preferment, what is it to live in Gods presence for ever? and if to see the Monarchs of the earth in their glory so much affect men, what is that eternal sight, when men that once were but dust and clay, are now admitted to behold that infinite perfection, and fountain of all goodness? In God we shall behold most perfectly all those things that can be of power to stir admiration, all those beauties and praises, that the nature of man can delight in. The second is the perfection of their own natures both in soul and body: Then shall their countenances shine like the Sun in the firmament; then shall their very bodies be like spirits, able to pass whither they will in a moment: then shall they possess health, without all infirmity, or power to feel pain, or defect, nor sorrow, ⟨p. 530⟩sickness, or weakness shall any more assail them: but greater things than those shall be bestowed upon their souls; for then shall their knowledge be made perfect: Here we know but in part, there we shall know as we are known: there we shall enjoy an everlasting day: It is dark night with us in this world, in comparison of that celestial light of knowledge: Here we are groping in the dark to find out some parts of truth, but there God who is whole truth it self, shall fill our minds with the shining beams of his light. Then shall all the faculties of the soul be made perfectly glorious, in all righteousness and true holiness, all impotencies being removed, God himself being all in all in the Elect for ever. The third is the acquaintance and most glorious society with all the Angels of Heaven, and all just men, of all ages and degrees: which fellowship shall be made perfectly comfortable, all things that may offend being removed from them, both in their natures and works: The heart of man cannot imagine any true praise of friendship, that can be there wanting to any of that society. The fourth is the actual donation of power over all things, even the kingdom of the whole world: