A69028:303
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.
5. He must be a godly man: for the pure in heart only see God, Mat. 5. 7. and without Holiness it is impossible to see God, Heb. 12. 14. This knowledge requires holiness, else of all doctrines it proves the dullest: discourse and disputation doth not comprehend God, but holiness as one saith: and the Reason is, because there must be some assimilation or likeness between our minds and the knowledge of God: for as no part of the body receives the light but the eye, and the eye receives it not but as it is like to the light, so it is with the mind of man and the knowledge of God.
5. He must be a godly man: for the pure in heart onely see God, Mat. 5. 7. and without Holinesse it is impossible to see God, Heb. 12. 14. This knowledge requires holinesse, else of all doctrines it proues the dullest: discourse and disputation doth not comprehend God, but holinesse as one saith: and the Reason is, because there must bee some assimilation or likenesse betweene our mindes and the knowledge of God: for as no parte of the bodie receiues the light but the eye, and the eye receiues it not but as it is like to the light, so it is with the minde of man and the knowledge of God.
6. Above all other knowledges in Religion, in the doctrine of God he must remember the Apostles Rule, to be wise to Sobriety, and take heed of curiosity, and that in two respects: first, that he devoutly believe what he finds said of God in Scripture, without prying or sifting of things by the judgement of his own Reason. God would be believed on, 1not judged or examined: secondly, that he inquire not after things, which are not revealed, but rest in the descriptions of God made in his Word. The Sun must be seen, as it can be seen, and so much light must be taken, as can be had with looking downwards, lest if we look for more light by gazing on the body of the Sun, our eyes be not only dazzled, but our sight swallowed up and lost: so is it in the knowledge of God. It strengthens and increaseth the sight of the mind, if we look upon the beams of the everlasting Sun as they shine in his word or works, but if we will needs be searching higher after his Majesty, take heed lest we be swallowed up of his glory,