A69028:301
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. He must resolve to spare no pains that is requisite for this study: he must employ himself with great diligence to drink in his knowledge: for God will appear only to studious minds.
3. He must resolue to spare no paines that is requisite for this studie: hee must imploy himselfe with great diligence to drinke in his knowledge: for God will appeare onely to studious mindes.
4. A heart full of desires is requisite to these conceptions: The desire of the soul must be after God, Isaiah 26. 8, 9. He must be sought with a mans whole heart, Psal. 119. 10. else the mind will wander extremely. And because we want that admiration, and delight we should have in this doctrine, therefore we must judge our selves for our deserts, ⟨p. 52⟩and labour by prayer to form these desires in us: Especially, when in hearing, or reading any thing concerning God, we find our hearts begin to be affected, we must strive to nourish and inflame these desires or delights, or Ravishments, for then God is near: for usually a fire goeth before him (as the Psalmist speaketh) aswell when he comes into our hearts as when he comes into the world.
4. A heart full of desires is requisite to these conceptions: The desire of the soule must be after God, Esay 26. 8, 9. He must be sought with a mans whole heart, Psal. 119. 10. else the minde will wander extreamely. And because wee want that admiration, and delight wee should haue in this doctrine, therefore wee must iudge our selues for our deserts, ⟨p. 52⟩and labour by prayer to forme these desires in vs: Especially, when in hearing, or reading any thing concerning God, we finde our hearts begin to be affected, we must striue to nourish and inflame these desires or delights, or Rauishments, for then God is neere: for vsually a fire goeth before him (as the Psalmist speaketh) aswell when hee comes into our hearts as when he comes into the world.