A69028:457
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.
The desire of our souls should be ever after him, and the remembrance of him: We should be much abashed, that any lover should show more affection to an earthly creature, then we show to God. Our minds should still run upon him. And because we may find a horrible unto wardnesse in our nature, and extreme dullness in our affections, therefore we should make conscience of it, to circumcise our hearts that we might more be in love with God, both by afflicting our souls and judging our selves for our defects: and by cutting off, and casting away all those delights that might steal away our affections from the Lord, beseeching the Lord himself to direct our hearts into his love, 2. Thes. 3. 5. Isaiah 26. 9. Psal. 31. 19. 21. 23. Deut. 30. 6.
The desire of our soules should bee euer after him, and the remembrance of him: We should be much abashed, that any louer should shew more affection to an earthly creature, then we shew to God. Our mindes should still runne vpon him. And because we may finde a horrible vnto wardnesse in our nature, and extreame dulnesse in our affections, therefore wee should make conscience of it, to circumcise our hearts that we might more be in loue with God, both by afflicting our soules and iudging our selues for our defects: and by cutting off, and casting away all those delights that might steale away our affections from the Lord, beseeching the Lord himselfe to direct our hearts into his loue, 2. Thes. 3. 5. Esay 26. 9. Psal. 31. 19. 21. 23. Deut. 30. 6.
4. It should teach us to make more account of his love to us: and all the signs of it, we should wonderfully joy in all the pledges of his favour, esteeming his loving kindness better then life. Our very souls should be satisfied as with marrow,