A69028:2540
A69028:2540
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 they have judged themselves already, and therefore have Gods promise they shall not be condemned at that day, 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32.
1. That they haue iudged themselues already, and therefore haue Gods promise they shall not be condemned at that day, 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32.
2. That God hath judged them already: they have endured their pain already in this world: God will account the afflictions of this life sufficient unto them, 1 Pet. 4 17.
2. That God hath iudged them already: they haue indured their paine already in this world: God will account the afflictions of this life sufficient vnto them, 1 Pet. 4 17.
3. That they are already perfectly justified, and absolved from all their sins, Rom. 3. 24, 25. and 8. 33.
3. That they are alreadie perfectly iustified, and absolued from all their sins, Rom. 3. 24, 25. and 8. 33.
4. That they have Christ to be their Judge: for there are many comforts in that point. They need not be afraid of his sentence, because he hath been their advocate all this while, and hath pleaded for them at the bar of Justice, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. and he is their brother, their husband, their head, and all things else in relation, which imports dearness. Read but the Book of Canticles, and consider whether he that gives such wonderful, loving, and familiar terms of affection to his Church, can ever be brought to pronounce a terrible sentence upon her? And besides, hath he not in Scripture left many promises that assure us of our happiness at that day? And further, who can read the story of the Passion of Christ, and think that he will ⟨p. 535⟩ever speak terrible things to them, for whom he suffered so grievous things on earth. Was he not himself judged for them on earth, that they might be absolved from heaven? Lastly, he hath left us the seal of the Spirit of promise, even his own Spirit in our hearts, as an earnest of our most glorious and final Redemption at that day; and besides that privy seal of his Spirit, how often hath he set to his broad seal in the Sacraments from time to time? And therefore they may be all assured, that there Christ will be made marvellous in that day in all them that believe, to their everlasting honour, and praise, and glory.
4. That they haue Christ to be their Iudge: for there are many comforts in that point. They need not be afraid of his sentence, because hee hath beene their aduocate all this while, and hath pleaded for them at the barre of Iustice, 1 Ioh. 2. 1, 2. and he is their brother, their husband, their head, and all things else in relation, which imports dearenesse. Reade but the Booke of Canticles, and consider whether he that giues such wonderfull, louing, and familiar termes of affection to his Church, can euer be brought to pronounce a terrible sentence vpon her? And besides, hath he not in Scripture left many promises that assure vs of our happinesse at that day? And further, who can reade the story of the Passion of Christ, and thinke that he will
Thirdly, the doctrine of the last Judgement, should serve also for instruction, and so
Thirdly, the doctrine of the last Iudgement, should serue also for instruction, and so
1. It should strike a constant fear of God into our hearts, and of his dreadful justice, and majesty, Revel. 14. 7.
1. It should strike a constant feare of God into our hearts, and of his dreadfull iustice, and maiestie, Reuel. 14. 7.
2. It should make us very patient under any wrongs, or oppressions of the wicked men of the world, especially when men suffer trouble for Christs sake and the Gospels; for we shall be sure to see a perfect recompense upon our adversaries at that day, if they repent not, 2 Thess. 1. 5, 6, 7. Jam. 5. 6, 7. Phil. 4. 5.
2. It should make vs very patient vnder any wrongs, or oppressions of the wicked men of the world, especially when men suffer trouble for Christs sake and the Gospels; for we shall be sure to see a perfect recompence vpon our aduersaries at that day, if they repent not, 2 Thess. 1. 5, 6, 7. Iam. 5. 6, 7. Phil. 4. 5.
3. It should teach every Christian to be temperate, and reserved in the case of censure, and judging of others, 1 Cor. 4. 5. and 5. 12. Rom. 14. 10, 11, 12.
3. It should teach euery Christian to be temperate, and reserued in the case of censure, and iudging of others, 1 Cor. 4. 5. and 5. 12. Rom. 14. 10, 11, 12.
But especially it should marvellously fire the hearts of Gods children, to all possible care and conscience to express all manner of holiness, and good works, in all parts of their conversation, and to avoid all things that may offend, Tit. 2. 12, 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11, 14. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 8.
But especially it should maruellously fire the hearts of Gods children, to all possible care and conscience to expresse all manner of holinesse, and good works, in all parts of their conuersation, and to auoid all things that may offend, Tit. 2. 12, 13. 2 Pet. 3. 11, 14. 1 Cor. 15. 5, 8.
1 JOHN 5. 7. For there are three, which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
1 IOHN 5. 7. For there are three, which beare record in heauen, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
Hitherto of the Articles of the Creed that concern the Father and the Son: Now followeth the Article that concerns the third Person in the Trinity in those words, I believe in the Holy Ghost.
HItherto of the Articles of the Creed that concerne the Father and the Son: Now followeth the Article that concernes the third Person in the Trinity in those words, I beleeue in the Holy Ghost.
Ghost is an old English word, and signifieth Spirit: and this Title of the Holy Spirit is given to the third Person in Trinity, in a special manner: The word Spirit by way of cause, and the word Holy, by way of effect.
Ghost is an old English word, and signifieth Spirit: and this Title of the Holy Spirit is giuen to the third Person in Trinity, in a speciall manner: The word Spirit by way of cause, and the word Holy, by way of effect.
He is a spirit not only in nature (so the Father and Son are a Spirit) but because he proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of spiration or breathing: on the other side, he is called holy, not only in respect of Nature (for so Father and ⟨p. 537⟩some are holy) but by effect, because he makes the Church holy.
He is a spirit not only in nature (so the Father and Son are a Spirit) but because hee proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of spiration or breathing: on the other side, he is called holy, not only in respect of Nature (for so Father and ⟨p. 537⟩some are holy) but by effect, because hee makes the Church holy.
Now to believe in the holy Ghost, is not only to believe that there is a holy Ghost, but to rely upon him for sanctification, and salvation, and all happiness: to believe the holy Ghost to say true when he speaketh, or to believe what is written of him, will not serve turn, unless we believe in him.
Now to beleeue in the holy Ghost, is not only to beleeue that there is a holy Ghost, but to relie vpon him for sanctification, and saluation, and all happinesse: to beleeue the holy Ghost to say true when he speaketh, or to beleeue what is written of him, will not serue turne, vnlesse wee beleeue in him.