A69028:287
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.
That this point may be yet more clearly understood, we must consider the different ways how God is known by several things: first, himself knows himself with infinite perfection of absolute knowledge, and so he is known only to himself: secondly, Christ man knows him by union, that is, by virtue of his union with the divine nature, he doth after a way unspeakable, and unimitable see and understand the God-head: thirdly, the Angels and Saints in heaven know him by vision: they see God face to face, that is, they have a perfect knowledge of Gods Nature according to their condition in heaven, and do behold him in some most glorious representation of his presence: fourthly, to men on earth he is known by revelation: and so after a different manner to divers men: As to some holy men by Inspiration, to all godly men by Christ, to all men in the Church by the Scriptures, and to all men in the world by the creatures and Reason.
That this point may bee yet more clearely vnderstood, wee must consider the different waies how God is knowne by seuerall things: first, himselfe knowes himselfe with infinite perfection of absolute knowledge, and so hee is knowne onely to himselfe: secondly, Christ man knowes him by vnion, that is, by vertue of his vnion with the diuine nature, hee doth after a way vnspeakeable, and vnimitable see and vnderstand the God-head: thirdly, the Angels and Saints in heauen know him by vision: they see God face to face, that is, they haue a perfect knowledge of Gods Nature according to their condition in heauen, and doe behold him in some most glorious representation of his presence: fourthly, to men on earth hee is knowne by reuelation: and so after a different manner to diuers men: As to some holy men by Inspiration, to all godly men by Christ, to all men in the Church by the Scriptures, and to all men in the world by the creatures and Reason.
The fourth point it remains to consider how far forth God may be known, by these all or any of them? I answer: first, more generally, and then more particularly: In general if we think of the full knowledge of God, the Trinity is then only known to God himself and Christ man: God hath a Name that is secret, and wonderful, this can be known by no creature; by his Name revealed he may be known: so as we remember that in this world he appears to whom he will, and as he will, and not as he is. The most men conceive wonderful little of Gods Nature.