A69028:284
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
THE CREED. › Article 1 › I Believe in God.THE CREEDE. › Article 1 › I Beleeue in God.
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.
It is true, the unquiet heart of man is vexed, because God is not visible to his eyes, as if the knowing of God by colours were the only pleasing way of seeing him: Thy bodily eyes cannot see God, what then If thy eyes cannot discern God, is it any greater thing; then that thy hands or feet cannot discern other thing? God is discerned by such Instruments as are capable of him.
It is true, the vnquiet heart of man is vexed, because God is not visible to his eyes, as if the knowing of God by colours were the only pleasing way of seeing him: Thy bodily eyes cannot see God, what then If thy eyes cannot discerne God, is it any greater thing; then that thy hands or feete cannot discerne other thing? God is discerned by such Instruments as are capable of him.
But thou wilt say, not only thy eyes, but thy reason cannot reach God so as to ease or please thy mind? I answer: that some things are infra rationem, below reason, and so are all things discernible by sense only. Some things are juxta rationem, agreeable and discernible by reason, and so are a multitude of things in nature. Some things are supra rationem, above Reason, and so are divers things in the doctrine of God, especially the Mystery of the Trinity and the like. Now, though Reason will not reach here, yet God hath not left his children destitute, but hath given them an instrument from heaven which is capable of these things, and that is, Faith.
But thou wilt say, not onely thy eyes, but thy reason cannot reach God so as to ease or please thy minde? I answer: that some things are infra rationem, below reason, and so are all things discernable by sense onely. Some things are iuxta rationem, agreeable and discernable by reason, and so are a multitude of things in nature. Some things are supra rationem, aboue Reason, and so are diuers things in the doctrine of God, especially the Mysterie of the Trinity and the like. Now, though Reason will not reach heere, yet God hath not left his children destitute, but hath giuen them an instrument from heauen which is capable of these things, and that is, Faith.