A69028:39
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
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.
1. Because we see here it is the commandment of the Apostle, that we should keep this pattern of wholesome words. The Apostle saw it was a Doctrine of excellent use for the Churches, and therefore to be learned and kept as a great treasure: and the Commandment to keep them imports, that whatsoever we are ignorant of, yet we should not be ignorant of these points, and whatsoever we forget, yet these things we should be sure to remember, and whatsoever we wanted affection in, yet in these things we should strive to be greatly affected. It is therefore a sin of great unfaithfulness to neglect these points, and shows we are too wise in our selves, if we have no mind to learn and keep such things, as God in his wisdom hath in some special manner charged us to regard.
1. Because wee see heere it is the commandement of the Apostle, that wee should keepe this patterne of wholesome words. The Apostle saw it was a Doctrine of excellent vse for the Churches, and therefore to be learned and kept as a great treasure: and the Commandement to keepe them imports, that whatsoeuer we are ignorant of, yet we should not be ignorant of these points, and whatsoeuer we forget, yet these things we should bee sure to remember, and whatsoeuer wee wanted affection in, yet in these things wee should striue to be greatly affected. It is therefore a sinne of great vnfaithfulnesse to neglect these points, and shewes wee are too wise in our selues, if we haue no minde to learne and keepe such things, as God in his wisedome hath in some speciall manner charged vs to regarde.
2. Because God himself is the immediate Author of these 1Doctrines: it is God only that opens this School of Faith: These are lessons that are to be learned (not from wise men as many other things) but from God himself, to whom alone the glory of revealing these high Mysteries belongs.
2. Because God himselfe is the immediate Author of these 1