A69028:293
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.
3. This that may be attained to, for that part which is set out by words, is expressed not by words that tell what God is ⟨p. 50⟩directly but by such words, as being in use amongst men, might lead us to some happy manner of discerning concerning God.
3. This that may be attained to, for that part which is set out by words, is exprest not by words that tell what God is ⟨p. 50⟩directly but by such words, as being in vse amongst men, might leade vs to some happie manner of discerning concerning God.
4. The nearest knowledge we have is by effect, as it is either described in Scripture, or wrought in providence: and so what God is in himself, himself only knows, but what he is to us that in some measure he makes us know: his glorious Nature is only known to himself: We see the Sun not as it is in it self, but as it enlighteneth: we look not up upon the body of the Sun, but upon the beams of it that shine upon the hill, or upon the wall, or the like: so is it in the knowledge of God: our natures cannot look upon his nature but we discern him, by the shining of his working and by the beams of his presence.
4. The neerest knowledge wee haue is by effect, as it is either described in Scripture, or wrought in prouidence: and so what God is in himselfe, himselfe onely knowes, but what hee is to vs that in some measure hee makes vs know: his glorious Nature is onely knowne to himselfe: Wee see the Sunne not as it is in it selfe, but as it inlightneth: we look not vp vpon the body of the Sunne, but vpon the beames of it that shine vpon the hill, or vpon the wall, or the like: so is it in the knowledge of God: our natures cannot looke vpon his nature but we discerne him, by the shining of his working and by the beames of his presence.