A69028:2574
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.
7. The gifts of restraining grace: this is a great gift; by which a man is made to forbear many vile actions, contrary to the bent of his own nature, and to act divers things wholly above his own disposition, so as he is as if he were another man: as Saul was when the spirit of God fell upon him: and so many men even among the heathen, had an expression on of valour, wisdom, chastity, justice, &c. and this was from the holy Ghost for the good of ⟨p. 541⟩humane societies. Thus God kept Abimelech from Abraham's wife, Gen. 20. 6. Thus Haman can refrain his rage against Mordecai, Hest. 5. 10. If this gift were not, wicked men would be as the wild beasts of the desert. And yet it is one thing to restrain a mans corruptions, and another thing to mortify them.
7. The gifts of restraining grace: this is a great gift; by which a man is made to forbeare many vile actions, contrary to the bent of his owne nature, and to act diuers things wholly aboue his owne disposition, so as he is as if he were another man: as Saul was when the spirit of God fell vpon him: and so many men euen among the heathen, had an expression on of valour, wisdome, chastity, iustice, &c. and this was from the holy Ghost for the good of ⟨p. 541⟩humane societies. Thus God kept Abimelech from Abrahams wife, Gen. 20. 6. Thus Haman can refraine his rage against Mordecai, Hest. 5. 10. If this gift were not, wicked men would bee as the wilde beasts of the desert. And yet it is one thing to restraine a mans corruptions, and another thing to mortifie them.